Five Top Perennials for Country Flower Gardens

March 5, 2017

On this day, The Herald-Palladium, out of Saint Joseph, Michigan, shared an article called “Flowers for the Country Border” by Maureen Gilmour.

In the article, Maureen shares a glimpse of farm life - a no-nonsense lifestyle where Maureen says,

With all the chores to do, few have time to sweat the details, seek perfection, or create glossy magazine looks.

 

Thus, the perennials that make it in farm gardens are rugged and dependable and require little fuss.

Maureen says,

In early farms and ranches, the first perennials [were] the stalwart wildflowers of range and prairie.

Planted from gathered seeds or roots transplanted to the yard from wild stands, these big, bold perennials took hold and flourished.

They have proven to take the worst conditions and survive, to bring color, wildlife, and flavor, without toxicity to pets, livestock or kids.

 

Maureen recommends five favorite perennials for country life:

1. Bee Balm

Monarda didyma is a vigorous North American native perennial ...

In the colonies, its foliage was an alternative to boycotted tea after the Boston Tea Party.”

 

2. Blanketflower

Gaillardia pulchella grows low and dense, producing flowers heavily, and then self-sows for many new volunteers next year.

This species is not as picky about soil quality for success.

 

3. Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea is best known as a supplement, but this is the finest native for borders.

 

4. Shasta Hybrids (Daisies)

This plant is … a curious hybrid invented a century ago by Luther Burbank.

Snow white flowers of the original have many size variations, with the original proving as long-lived and resilient as many natives.

 

5. Fennel

This popular kitchen garden herb produces tall plants with umbelliferous flower heads that fill the air with these delicate forms late into the winter.

The plants will flourish, so they grow together into a dense mass.

This blocks sunlight to the soil beneath so weeds are less likely to sprout.