A perennial flower garden can provide many years of beauty and enjoyment. Careful selection of plants and planning can result in a full season of color. Perennials often require less maintenance than some annual flowers. Once established, they generally require less water than annuals and often have fewer pest problems.
Maintenance during the growing season consists of periodic weeding, removal of spent blossoms (deadheading), staking if necessary, and insect and disease control. Depending on species, early spring or fall maintenance consists of trimming and removing old leaves and stems. After three to five growing seasons, some perennials may need to be divided to prevent overcrowding.
By definition - perennials are considered to be ornamental plants that do not die after one season. This does not mean they live forever. Some perennials are considered to be short-lived, lasting only 2-3 years and not all perennial plants are hardy in all areas. If a plant is considered a tender perennial in your zone, whether it survives next year depends on the winter conditions it faces. Knowing what zone you garden in will allow you to determine what plants will best survive in your area, unless you are the adventuresome type, like Tony Avent, plant explorer and owner of Plant Delights Nursery Inc - I consider every plant hardy until I have killed it myself ... at least three times.
Plant Calculator
How Many Plants Do You Need?
On 6" centers - plants per sq. ft. = 4
On 8" centers - plants per sq. ft. = 2.28
On 9" centers - plants per sq. ft. = 1.77
On 10" centers - plants per sq. ft. = 1.44
On 12" centers - plants per sq. ft. = 1
On 18" centers - plants per sq. ft. = .44
On 24" centers - plants per sq. ft. = .25
OR
Measure your square footage (Lenght x Width) and determine desired
density - or click Plant Calculator for more assistance.
Electronic Commerce 
