Perennials

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Perennials

When I first began gardening I was probably like most people, looking for instant gratification and planting as many annuals as I could cram into the beds. I can remember buying flat after flat of marigolds and admiring my solid yellow borders. Gradually, and I’m not sure exactly when it started, I began looking at other plants in the garden centres and purchasing my first hostas. I still have these flourishing plants over twenty years later.

My garden is based in shade, and the plants that have always been the mainstays are my ferns, hostas and hardy geraniums. You’ll see many plants in these pages that you may not necessarily think of as “shade plants” but I assure you they do very well for me. We have mild winters, wet springs, dry summers and pleasant autumns here, and with none of my flowers beds receiving more that 4 to 5 hours of sun (when we get sun), the secret is rich, well-draining soil and a lot of good luck!