How about planting a few new perennial flowers to celebrate Perennial Gardening Month?
Gracing your garden or landscape beds with a bounty of color year after year, these outdoor plants are budget-friendly and hardy enough to stand up to all of northern Utah’s climate challenges.
Head to Millcreek Gardens for inspiration or consider these six gorgeous, easy-to-grow varieties.
No. 1: Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed, or Asclepias tuberosa, is 2017’s Perennial Plant of the Year, as chosen by the Perennial Plant Association. They chose a beauty this year – the clusters of vibrant orange, yellow and red blooms are a striking addition to any garden.
And, as the name suggests, butterfly weed is known for attracting butterflies. These brilliant perennial flowers grow best in full sun and well-drained soil.
No. 2: Sedum
Perennial flowers in the Sedum family feature thick, succulent-type leaves and fleshy stems as a backdrop for bursts of tiny, star-shaped blooms. Colors range from bright white to dark purple, and just about every shade in-between.
Sedum prefers full sun and drier planting conditions. Once established, these stunning plants need very little care to thrive.
No. 3: Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea, or coneflower, resembles a daisy or Black-Eyed Susan. These eye-catching perennial flowers feature a prominent bronze center cone surrounded by pink, red, purple, orange or white petal-like rays. A favorite among many Utah gardeners, coneflowers can grow quite large – up to 3 inches across.
Coneflowers appreciate full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade. Well-drained soil is best for these beauties, but they are forgiving of less-than-ideal soil conditions.
No. 4: Daylily
The daylily, or Hemerocallis, fills the garden with glorious, sweetly-scented blooms. Each blossom lasts for just one day, but every flower stalk has multiple buds – and each plant has several stalks. In fact, these easy-care flowers seem to be continually in bloom.
Available in a rainbow of colors, daylilies can do well in full sun or partial shade. And, although they produce more blossoms with regular watering, daylily flowers are relatively drought tolerant.
No. 5: Spiderwort
The Tradescantia family of perennial flowers, also known as spiderwort, feature three-petaled blossoms in dazzling shades of purple, blue, pink or white. These garden favorites add interest to a Utah landscape, as they bloom in the morning and close at night.
Partial shade is best, but spiderwort can handle a sunny spot in the garden as long as the soil is kept moist. Tradescantia plants are quite resilient, however, and can tolerate drought conditions.
No. 6: Blue Salvia
Salvia farinacea, or blue salvia, is a showstopper, with tall spikes of intensely-colored violet-blue blossoms. Virtually pest- and problem-free, these spectacular perennial flowers are favorites for both garden borders and container gardens.
Although sometimes grown as an annual in the colder parts of Utah, blue salvia plants can survive light freezes if well-protected. Salvia flowers prefer well-drained, slightly dry soil. Full sun is acceptable, but afternoon shade is ideal for areas with hot summers.
Are you inspired to celebrate Perennial Gardening Month? Head to Millcreek Gardens in Salt Lake City today, and let our expert staff help you select the perfect perennial flowers for your Utah landscape.