Perennials for a Shady Location

There are many wonderful perennials suitable for a shady location. Most shade perennials tend to have interesting (even exotic) foliage and quietly elegant blooms. You will have greater success designing a shady garden if you focus on texture and foliage rather than flamboyant colour. Perennials that are tolerant of dry shade are marked with a *.

Perennials for a Sunny Dry Location

Most perennials prefer a well drained location and there are many that are quite drought tolerant.  Drought proof your plants by practicing proper water techniques, ie water deeply and less frequently.  This will encourage plants to grow deep root systems which are then much less susceptible to drought.

Attracting Butterflies to your Garden

Key requirements for attracting butterflies:

o Stop using pesticides and other nasty chemicals. This is essential!!

o Grow food plants for caterpillars and nectar plants for butterflies.

o Grow larger groups of one variety of plant rather than solitary plants.

o Include a water source in your garden.

o Provide a spot where caterpillars and butterflies can over winter.

o The bigger your garden, the better.

* Top Ten Perennials for attracting Butterflies

Hummingbird Favourites

A quick way to attract hummingbirds is to put out a feeder. Do not use food dye in the feeder as this can be very harmful to the bird. You can now buy coloured feeders, but hummingbirds will learn to come to a clear feeder. Be sure to change your feeder often, as in hot weather the solution will quickly go bad, ie. ferment.

Hummingbirds like tubular flowers but will also seek out cup-shaped or open circular blooms like the Delphinium and Hollyhock. Bright colours -- especially red -- are always a favourite.

Deer Resistant Perennials

 Deer (and rabbits) will usually avoid plants that have fuzzy or prickly foliage.  They also tend to ignore foliage that is poisonous or has a pungent taste or smell. Check out the website www.deerxlandscape.com.

Perennials that will Grow Under a Walnut Tree

Black Walnut tree roots produce a toxic substance called Juglone which can injure and kill plants. Usually the first sign is leaf wilt which usually occurs in a relatively short time after planting. If the toxic effect is detected early and the plant is removed, it may recover in a new location. At later stages the wilting becomes severe and the leaves turn brown, resulting in the death of the plant. Many perennials are not effected by Juglone and can be grown under and close to walnut trees. Most native plants will also do well under a walnut. Experiment, as this is by no means a conclusive list. Watch for signs of wilting in the first few weeks after planting and move the plant immediately if effected. (Make sure the wilting is not from insufficient watering.)

If you live in an old neighbourhood which is filled with mature walnut trees proceed with caution as the ground will be thoroughly saturated with decades of Juglone production. Best to experiment before making a major investment in plants.