Most of us who are blessed with a bit of ground to call our own have dreamed of having a lush and beautiful garden. You can endure the drudgery of planting an endless series of short-lived annuals or, with not much more effort, use perennials and enjoy their familiar colors and fresh green leaves year after year.
Planning is the key here.
First, map out the shape of your beds and incorporate organic material such as well-rotted manure, compost or leaf mold into the soil. Both clay and sandy soils will benefit from this addition. When you buy the compost, pick up a few bags of mulch, such as wood chips. This will make your beds look very tidy, cut down on weeds and hold in moisture. Watch your purposed planting areas during the course of a day.