Most areas of the country experienced unseasonably cold temperatures in this winter and spring, and are weeks behind "normal" plant growth. Be patient with perennials as it still may be too early to tell if some survived the winter cold.

Wait a few more weeks for signs of life before you give up on a plant,. Take extra care when weeding and cleaning up beds so you do not damage the crowns and young shoots.

New to gardening with perennials? Here’s an important tip -- be patient. The gardening adage, “First year sleeps, second year creeps, third year leaps” is true.