FEATURE

Once the risk of frost is no longer a concern in your area, roll up your sleeves and get ready to start planting. Creating garden beds with all-season interest is easy when you combine annuals and perennials. Annuals may last for just one season, but they bloom constantly during that time. Perennials, on the other hand, come back year after year and help to form the background and personality of your garden. Combining them will give you a garden that dazzles with color from spring right through fall.

Prep the Bed

If you haven't already cleaned out your beds, take the time to do that now. Clear out any dead materials leftover from last year and add a layer of high-quality soil. Mix organic fertilizer or plant food into the soil to prepare your garden bed for the new plantings. This will improve root penetration, decrease compaction and provide an ongoing supply of nutrients.

Planting Pointers

Before planting, set out the plants in their nursery pots to ensure you like the placement. Once you're ready, plant them at the same height as they are in their packaging. Make sure you allow room for them to grow to their mature size by consulting the plant care tags and keep in mind the areas of your garden that receive more water or light, and plant accordingly. Fill in the holes with soil, pressing down firmly, and water generously to ensure all bare roots are damp and covered in watery mud.

Finally, apply a thin layer of peat moss or mulch to keep the soil cool and moist. Mulch is great for controlling weeds and conserving water, and also adds rich organic matter to the soil as it decomposes. Perennials in particular benefit from protective mulch during the winter months since they stay in the ground year round and are susceptible to heaving when the ground freezes and thaws.

Visual Interest

The best way to create visual interest in your garden is by selecting plants with contrasting textures, shapes and heights. Perennials add personality to your garden, so choose a range that will work well in your environment. Carefully read plant care tags, and take sun, shade, soil and temperature into consideration. Some good perennial choices include hosta, coral bells and ferns. Intersperse your perennials with vibrant annuals, such as marigolds, petunias and impatiens.

For more plant ideas and tips from our experts, be sure to visit our Garden Center.