Ask the Expert: What perennials bloom each season.
I live in the Washington, DC area and would like some flowers to blossom for each season, spring, summer, and fall. Can you help me? Cynthia

Reply:

The possibilies are vast.  So, I'll share a few of my favorites that will also work in your area.   Our hardiness zones are very similar  Paragould Ar is a 6b (6-7)zone and DC is a 7b (7-8)zone.  Knowing what zone you are in is important when selecting perennial.  The hardiness zone defines how cold the area will get and every plant has a cold hadiness thresshold.

For Winter -Gerberas (if you are lucky) and Hellebores.  I also plant tulips and daffodil.

For Spring- Iris, Verbascum, Peonies, Phlox subulata (creeping phlox), Anemone, Bergenia, Clematis and Dianthus.

For Summer – Phlox paniculata, Guara, Echinacea, Ascelepias, Liatris, Gallardia, Veronica, Platycodon, Monarda, Kniphofia and Alcea (hollyhock). I could go on and on but I these are my favorties.  I also plant Asiatic lilies, Oriental lilies and Gladiolus.

For Autumn – Anemone, Solidago, Helianthus, Chrysanthemums, Dianthus, Rudebeckia and Geum.

Of course these are just a handful of the many perennial options for the Washington Dc area.  There are also an abundance of flowering shrubs for each season that can add color to your yard.  The thing to do is to pop into your local nursery & garden center – not a box store.  Most nurseries will have a perennial person (someone who is both knowledgeable about and has actually grown many of the perennials themselves).  I happen to be the perennial person for our garden center.  They will be able to give you the true ins and outs about which perennials perform well in your area.  Other factors such as humidity and rain fall can also determine the right perennials for your area and the staff at your local garden center will be able to help you with those issues.

Good Luck and let me know how your perennial garden does.

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