A Few Must Have Perennials

Here are five must have perennials I have chosen based on flower power, color and length of bloom time.     All are easy to grow where I live which is zone 4 in the mountains of Colorado.   They all prefer full sun and do fine with three days of water.

1. Peonies are by far my favorite.  What is there not to love about  beautiful flowers that smell wonderful.  Any color will do and they are fabulous for arrangements in the house.    Bonus is there is not a ugly bare spot in the garden when they are done blooming.

2.  Iris remind me of my grandmother.  I love any color iris and am more partial to the bearded ones.

3.  Dianthus are great fillers and I am a big fan of ‘Firewitch’ which is the hot pink flower in the picture below.   I like to tuck them in all over the garden.

4.   Salvia nemorosa Maynight’ is a favorite for being a work horse perennial.   It blooms for weeks and I can usually get a second round of flowering if I cut it back.   It can spread a bit but I would not consider it invasive.

5.  Rudbeckia or Black Eyed Susan’s start blooming right when we are ready for bright yellows, oranges and golds.  People ask my all the time why their gardens look tired and dull in late August and it is because they avoid yellow in the garden.  Don’t be afraid of yellow.