I am doing some landscaping on my own and have very little knowledge
unfortunately.

A perennial: Does that mean it grows back year after year without
having to be re-seeded? That's what I would think.

Do these perennials spread automatically? That's what I would want
for groundcover and whatnot.

Thanks in advance.

I would ask these questions of a landscaper, but they won't return my
calls. Must be very busy.

In article ,
(brianb) wrote:

I am doing some landscaping on my own and have very little knowledge
unfortunately.

A perennial: Does that mean it grows back year after year without
having to be re-seeded? That's what I would think.

Do these perennials spread automatically? That's what I would want
for groundcover and whatnot.

Thanks in advance.

I would ask these questions of a landscaper, but they won't return my
calls. Must be very busy.

Yes, perennials come back year after year. They can look dead in the winter,
if you live in a cold-winter area, but as soon as the soil warms up in the
spring,
they'll come back. (I planted a little tiny snip of columbine last year. It came
back this spring and is about 2 feet wide and 4 feet tall right now, and
*loaded*
with flower buds. It must really like that spot!)

Some (most?) perennials will spread on their own. I'm in Alaska and really don't
have a good grasp on what happens down there in the small states. I'm sure lots
of other folks will jump in here with advice/opinions.

Where are you? Different areas all have different gardening problems/solutions.

Your local nursery owner will be able to help you. Don't expect the garden
section
people at Wal*Mart or other discount stores to know much. Go to a real nursery
that doesn't sell anything but plants & trees.

Jan, USDA Zone 3

On 15 Jun 2003 19:31:11 -0700, (brianb) wrote:

I am doing some landscaping on my own and have very little knowledge
unfortunately.

A perennial: Does that mean it grows back year after year without
having to be re-seeded? That's what I would think.

Do these perennials spread automatically? That's what I would want
for groundcover and whatnot.

You're on the right track. Typical perennials die down in winter and
grow back in spring/summer. If they keep their foliage over the
winter, they're 'evergreens,' as well as perennials. Many may spread,
but it's not part of the definition. Often perennials will take a
couple of years to become "established" and provide abundant bloom.

You may also see the term "tender perennial," which doesn't mean their
feelings are hurt easily, but that in colder climates, they are
annuals.

(Jan Flora) wrote in message ...
In article ,
(brianb) wrote:

I am doing some landscaping on my own and have very little knowledge
unfortunately.

You'll be surprised how fast you learn: it's the best fun you can
have.
[...]

I would ask these questions of a landscaper, but they won't return my
calls. Must be very busy.
[...]

I'm in Alaska and really don't
have a good grasp on what happens down there in the small states. I'm sure
lots of other folks will jump in here with advice/opinions.

Where are you? Different areas all have different gardening problems/solutions.

[...]
Jan, USDA Zone 3

This raises an interesting point for me, as I love gardening books. In
the British Isles, crammed with excellent gardeners, you need only one
or two general books wherever you live (I have too many, but all you
really need is, say, A.G.L.Hellyer's *The Amateur Gardener* and *The
Reader's Digest Encyclopedia of Garden Plants*). They'll make the
necessary brief remarks and warnings for our very small number of
climate variations, and that's about all a non-specialist really needs
to make a garden fit for a magazine cover. The most extreme thing they
say might be "in the west of Ireland and far south-west of England
will make a 6' shrub, but elsewhere may be cut down annually by
frosts".

But in the US you have examples of every climate on the planet: I
suppose this means you need to have a particular book aimed at the
zone or group of zones where you work. What are the classic American
gardening books? -- the ones everybody recognizes?

Mike.

Your local nursery owner will be able to help you. Don't expect the garden
section
people at Wal*Mart or other discount stores to know much. Go to a real
nursery
that doesn't sell anything but plants & trees.

Jan, USDA Zone 3







Some of them don't know either. My favorite spot to shop honestly has no clue
about plants, they started as a florist and grew from there. Funny thing is
they have the best plants in town, they keep them watered, dead headed and have
a quick turnover so nothing is old there... They also have better pricing by a
buck or two so I always stop there first... They love me and give me further
discounts at the register... Which also keeps me coming back.
Colleen
Zone 5 Connecticut

But in the US you have examples of every climate on the planet: I
suppose this means you need to have a particular book aimed at the
zone or group of zones where you work. What are the classic American
gardening books? -- the ones everybody recognizes?

Mike.

I love my Sunset for North Eastern Gardens the best. I have so many books on
plants but this is the one that usually has the answer I am looking for
quickly.
Zone 5 Connecticut

Frogleg wrote:
On 15 Jun 2003 19:31:11 -0700, (brianb) wrote:


I am doing some landscaping on my own and have very little knowledge
unfortunately.

A perennial: Does that mean it grows back year after year without
having to be re-seeded? That's what I would think.

Do these perennials spread automatically? That's what I would want
for groundcover and whatnot.


You're on the right track. Typical perennials die down in winter and
grow back in spring/summer. If they keep their foliage over the
winter, they're 'evergreens,' as well as perennials. Many may spread,
but it's not part of the definition. Often perennials will take a
couple of years to become "established" and provide abundant bloom.

You may also see the term "tender perennial," which doesn't mean their
feelings are hurt easily, but that in colder climates, they are
annuals.

I believe the term "half-hardy" refers to this uncertainty, too.

"brianb" wrote in message
...
I am doing some landscaping on my own and have very little knowledge
unfortunately.

A perennial: Does that mean it grows back year after year without
having to be re-seeded? That's what I would think.

Basically, that is true. What is perennial depends on the climate.
I.e., what is perennial in Florida won't necessarily be perennial in
Minnesota. In addition, some plants are perennial, but short lived.
Two examples which spring to mind are columbine (Aquilegia varieties)
and candytuft (Iberis sempervirens). These last three or four years,
then lose vigor and die out. Some plants are biennials; these grow
leaves only the first year, flower the second year, then die. An
example is the moneypenny (Lunaria, I think).


Do these perennials spread automatically? That's what I would want
for groundcover and whatnot.

Perennials come in many sizes and growth habits. Some spread, either
by seed or by runners, and some don't spread much. An example that I
can cite from personal experience is Amsonia tabernaemontana, which
forms a clump but doesn't otherwise spread. However, the seeds sprout
generously, creating thousands of new plants every year.

Groundcovers are generally treated separately. For example, Vinca
minor, myrtle or periwinkle, is a perennial, but because it stays
relatively low, is evergreen and spreads like crazy, is categorized as
a groundcover. I.e., groundcovers are perennials but perennials aren't
necessarily groundcovers.

You need to assess the characteristics of each plant you intend to
grow for height, spread, hardiness in your climate, adaptability to
sun or shade, type of soil and moisture requirements and growth habit.
The wide variability among plants in these characteristics means you
should be able to find plants for any conditions.

Having said that, be aware that the characteristics in books don't
necessarily match what happens in your garden. Even though you are in
zone 6, let's say, like I'm supposed to be, some plants hardy to zone
6 in the books will die in hard winters and others will do just fine.
Gardening is a continual learning experience - you essentially write
your own gardening book for your yard bit by bit as you go.

Good luck,

Guy Bradley
Chesterfield MO
zone 6

(Jan Flora) wrote in message ...
In article ,
(brianb) wrote:

I am doing some landscaping on my own and have very little knowledge
unfortunately.

A perennial: Does that mean it grows back year after year without
having to be re-seeded? That's what I would think.

Do these perennials spread automatically? That's what I would want
for groundcover and whatnot.

Thanks in advance.

I would ask these questions of a landscaper, but they won't return my
calls. Must be very busy.

Yes, perennials come back year after year. They can look dead in the winter,
if you live in a cold-winter area, but as soon as the soil warms up in the
spring,
they'll come back. (I planted a little tiny snip of columbine last year. It came
back this spring and is about 2 feet wide and 4 feet tall right now, and
*loaded*
with flower buds. It must really like that spot!)

Some (most?) perennials will spread on their own. I'm in Alaska and really don't
have a good grasp on what happens down there in the small states. I'm sure lots
of other folks will jump in here with advice/opinions.

Where are you? Different areas all have different gardening problems/solutions.

Your local nursery owner will be able to help you. Don't expect the garden
section
people at Wal*Mart or other discount stores to know much. Go to a real nursery
that doesn't sell anything but plants & trees.

Jan, USDA Zone 3

Thanks to you both.

I'm in Mid/South GA, on the Alabama line. I think it's "zone 9"
although I've seen differing maps for grass and climate. Maybe it's
zone 8a for climate.

I'm looking for Pachysandra's to plant. I think I will try a nursery
as the Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe's couldn't really help me much.
Just hoping Pachysandra's like acidic clay soils.

(brianb) wrote in message m...
I am doing some landscaping on my own and have very little knowledge
unfortunately.

A perennial: Does that mean it grows back year after year without
having to be re-seeded? That's what I would think.

Do these perennials spread automatically? That's what I would want
for groundcover and whatnot.

Thanks in advance.

I would ask these questions of a landscaper, but they won't return my
calls. Must be very busy.

--------------------
This from Greg.....Thanks.


Greetings...
Yes - perennial means it comes back every year. Check with a local
greenhouse
to see what is "perennial" in your area.
As for how they spread...it depends on what type of plant you have.
English
ivy, for example will spread by it's nature (it's ivy). Columbine will
spread
after a while. Peonies will also grow out. Many evergreen shrubs are
perennial
by nature, but don't spread much. Mountain Laurel is perennial, but
doesn't
spread, really - it just gets larger each year. Roses are perennial,
but are the
same - they'll get larger, but not spread. Most perennial groundcovers
will
spread (such as crown vetch and pachysandra). Hollyhocks are
perennial, and will
spread by the roots and by self-seeding.
Allot depends on what you're looking for. Many shade plants are
perennial.
Hostas are perennial. Many shrubs, flowering and otherwise are
perennial, such
as lilac. A good perennial that spreads (and smells nice, too) would
be a
honeysuckle.
As for landscapers, well, unless you want them to do something FOR
you, like
for MONEY, they usually won't want bothered. Your best bet is a local
greenhouse. I don't know where you live (what "zone") so I can't tell
you much.
Determine what zone you are in, and check on the net (do a Google
search and so
forth) for perennials for your area.

Best of luck!
Rich

-------------


Well yes, thanks for the plant names and info. As for the landscaper,
well I have plenty of work for them to do, they'd make plenty off me.
It's not just thaat I want to pick their brain.

I will look up some of these plants on this one "mail order" web site
that has alot of info. I may actually have to buy from this site,
although it seems expensive.

The problem is that I have hard clay and not much likes to grow in it.
The slope isn't that steep maybe 25 degrees or so. I guess I'll just
need alot of compost/manure etc., and be willing to break up the clay
somewhat.