Perennials are the heart of so many gardens, coming back year after year to fill our spaces with beautiful flowers and foliage. But because they don’t usually bloom as long as annuals, and change through the seasons, they can sometimes be difficult to use effectively in a garden design—but not for the gardens we visit today in our look back at some of favorite perennial gardens featured on the GPOD.

John Markowski’s garden is just stunning. Here, Veronica spicata (Zones 3–8) is stealing the show with spikes of intense blue flowers. See more of John’s summer garden here: Lush Summer Blooms.

Great perennials are in the shade too. Cherry Ong shared this shot of ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris, Zones 3–7), Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica, Zones 3–8), and hostas growing together. See more of Cherry’s garden here: Ferns and More.

There is spring magic in Ellie Gilbert’s Massachusetts garden from ‘Dreaming Spires’ Siberian iris (Zones 3–8), Salvia ‘Blue Hill’ (Zones 4–8), ‘Karmina’ cranesbill (Geranium ‘Karmina’, Zones 5–8), and Heuchera ‘Raspberry Ice’ (Zones 4–9). See more of Ellie’s garden in spring: Spring Comes to Massachusetts.

Istvan Dudas is a British gardener who has shared some breaktaking images with the GPOD. This particular one is a shot I’ll never forget. The expert way he combines perennials is just incredible. See more of Istvan’s designs: Gardening Art Form.

Growing perennials is all about celebrating the sometimes short moment when they are at their peak, as with this incredible spread of moss phlox (Phlox subulata, Zones 3–9) showing off in Ruth Ann Mummey’s garden in New Jersey. See more of her garden here: Gardens at Bellsflower Farm.

 

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

National Wildlife Federation®: Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife, Expanded Second Edition (Creative Homeowner) 17 Projects & Step-by-Step Instructions to Give Back to Nature

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

From the National Wildlife Federation, the largest U.S. nonprofit conservation organization, with 6 million members and 51 state and territorial affiliated organizations. 17 step-by-step projects that everyone can do together make getting your family back to nature easy, educational, and fun. Over 200 color photos of backyard wildlife habitats and the wide variety of creatures they attract, plus step-by-step photos and illustrations for family projects. Learn wildlife-friendly practices for gardening, landscape design, supplemental feeders, birdbaths, nesting places, and more. Learn how to attract backyard pollinators, from bees and butterflies to beetles, bats, and hummingbirds Get your garden certified by the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife(TM) program by following the included certification application checklist.

Buy at Amazon

Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, Revised and Updated Second Edition: A Natural Approach to Pest Control

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This revised and updated edition of Jessica Walliser’s award-winning Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden offers a valuable and science-backed plan for bringing balance back to the garden. With this indispensable gardening reference—now updated with new research, insights, and voices—learn how to create a healthy, balanced, and diverse garden capable of supporting a hard-working crew of beneficial pest-eating insects and eliminate the need for synthetic chemical pesticides.

Buy at Amazon

ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Telescopes from 4 to 7'. Cut and Hold (160) Blades. Drop forged blades for unsurpassed long lasting sharpness. Lightweight, 2.3 lbs., for continued use. Perfectly balanced for easy pruning.

Buy at Amazon