Flowering perennials offer low-maintenance colour

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/05/2012 (4936 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Our usual parade of springtime flowers is a bit out of sequence. The tulips showed up about the same time as the apples — nice combination, but a bit unusual. Summertime temperatures in March will do that. But no matter, a parade is a parade, and regardless of the order they arrive in, springtime flowers are fabulous. 

The following springtime flowering perennials are low maintenance, and will give you years of springtime colour, either in combination with the tulips or, more likely, well after. As always, match the plant to the place. 

Compared to flamboyant tulip or apple blossoms, pussy toes (Antennaria) is quite reserved.  What it lacks in boldness, it more than makes up for in detail. Its tiny flower is the shape of a cat’s paw — the cultivar in pink; the native plant in white. The whole plant is reminiscent of a cat. The leaves are very small, soft and fussy. It stealthily creeps forward to form a dense mat. At 10 to 15 centimetres in height, it is ideal in rock gardens or anywhere up close where you can enjoy it. Give it full sun, and well-drained or dry soil.

Common chives (Allium schoenoprasum) doesn’t get the respect it deserves. This reliable herb puts up with being regularly snipped and pinched without complaint — and still puts out adorable purple polka dot flowers. Cut the whole plant back after flowering, and it’ll regrow and possibly flower again. It grows 25 to 30 centimetres high, prefers full to partial sun, and average soil moisture. It will spread, but simply pull it out to control it. 

With a name like bugloss, one might be tempted to blend in. But no, a mass planting of bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla) in flower is a showstopper. Like a soft blue cloud, its glow is almost magical. ‘Jack Frost’ has been named the 2012 perennial of the year. Its blue flowers coupled with silver frost coloured leaves outlined in green, make for a stunning look throughout the summer. Bugloss prefer partial to full shade, and moist well drained soil.

Sure bearded irises (Iris germanica) are everywhere. They are easy to grow, long-lived, come in a broad range of heights, and the flower — exquisite! Traditionally purple, variations of yellows, whites, oranges, pinks are also available. Prefers full sun or light shade, and average soil moisture.

No matter the order or the familiarity, our springtime parade of flowers is delightful. 

Carla Keast has a masters degree in landscape architecture and is a Winnipeg-based freelance landscape designer. She can be reached at contact@carlakeast.com.