Perennial Design
Perennial Gardens: The Secret to a Landscape That Lasts All Season
A landscape without perennial gardens gives you just one burst of beauty before fading. Once the spring display of flowering shrubs fades, it’s the perennials that take center stage. Sure, there are some late-blooming shrubs like Spirea, Hydrangea, and shrub roses, but for the most part, the vibrant color of summer belongs to perennial flowers. Especially here on the New Hampshire seacoast, the importance of a thoughtful perennial garden design can’t be overstated.
Living Architecture in Bloom
Perennial garden design isn’t just about picking out pretty plants at the garden center. It’s a form of living architecture—one that considers color combinations, bloom times, plant heights, and long-term growth habits. Some perennials bloom for just a few weeks, while others flower all summer long. Certain varieties, like Bee Balm and Black-Eyed Susans, will reseed and spread quickly, while others stay neatly in place. Most thrive in full sun, but only a select few will do well in shaded areas.
Mix and Match for Balance
Even with a solid perennial plan, every garden benefits from added variety. A backdrop of evergreens, a splash of red foliage from an ornamental tree, or the texture of sedge grasses can bring contrast and dimension to your flower beds. And no matter how well-planned your blooming cycle is, small gaps are inevitable. That’s where annuals come in. Whether it’s low-border flowers like Marigolds and Snapdragons or taller accents like Cleome, annuals help provide consistent color all the way to the first frost.
Your Garden Becomes Your Nursery
One common misconception is that perennials are maintenance-free. While it’s true they return year after year, they still need a bit of care. Over time, they can become crowded and need to be divided and relocated. But that’s one of the best perks—a mature perennial garden becomes a source of new plants season after season. It’s the gift that keeps giving, and chances are, you’ll end up with plenty to share with fellow plant lovers.
A well-designed perennial garden brings dynamic beauty to your landscape, evolving with the seasons and adding color and character long after spring has passed. A custom perennial garden design from Rye Beach Landscaping is more than just a plan—it’s the heart of your summer landscape.