Many of these herbaceous plants die back to the ground where winters are cold enough. But come spring, they produce new stems, leaves and, eventually, flowers. Even the lowest-maintenance perennials live longer and look more radiant with the right care. Some planning and soil preparation before planting will get the flowers off to a healthy start and minimize upkeep. Choosing a site.
Shape beds almost any way that's easy to work and mow around.
Rectangles and kidney shapes are popular, as is massing many plants of one type for ground cover. Start small if this is your first attempt at growing perennials. Combine three to five different plants from these pages to add a splash of color near an entranceway or at the edges of a garden pool, deck or some other strategic location. The soil should be slightly acidic with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Check with your local extension service about testing your soil and getting recommendations for altering its pH. Once you choose a site, sketch a plan showing the location of each plant.