perennial garden is a great choice for an easy garden. These plants naturally return year after year, making it simple to maintain your garden without replanting every spring. Often, these hardy plants will spread easily and fill your garden with beautiful blooms with little help from you. 

Although perennials can help simplify your garden routine, there are some common mistakes to watch out for when growing these low-maintenance plants. The following list will help you avoid these common mistakes when growing perennials in your garden.

Pick the right zone

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Since perennials will be in your garden all year round, it is important to pick species that can handle the conditions in your area throughout the entire year. You can look up which Plant Hardiness Zone you live in, which will help you to choose the right perennials for your location.

Zones are determined based on the average annual extreme minimum temperatures, which allows you to estimate if conditions will be too cold for certain perennial plants to survive in your garden.

Choose the best spot

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If you want your perennial plants to come back year after year, you need to choose the best spot for them from the beginning. Taking the time upfront to evaluate your garden and pick the best place for your perennials will pay off in the long run. 

Consider optimal sun exposure, good drainage, and proper soil type for your plant. It will be hard to move your perennial plant once it is established, so getting it right from the start is essential.

Plan ahead

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When planning your perennials consider planning the rest of your garden too. These plants will be in the same spot for years, so you should think about how to work around them. 

Leave walking areas open and keep space available for annual plants. Don't forget to think about how big your plants could potentially be in five or ten years.

Regular maintenance

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Even though perennials don't require a lot of supervision, they should be no maintenance. All plants benefit from a little tender care, and perennials are no exception. Regular maintenance will help your perennials thrive. 

Dead-heading (removing spent flowers), pruning, and fertilizing are all important to encourage healthy growth and keep perennials happy.

Stagger your blooms

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Just because you want the ease of not having to replant every spring doesn't mean you should miss out on the glory of a colorful garden. 

One of the best ways to maximize the wow factor in your garden is to plant flowers that bloom at different times throughout the seasons. Having perennials that bloom from early spring to late fall will make your garden pop and help out pollinators too.

Mulching mistakes

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Adding mulch can help shelter perennials during colder months and prevent weed growth in spring and summer. Too much mulch or adding it at the wrong time can be a problem. When perennials are preparing to sprout new growth, be careful not to cover tender shoots with mulch. 

Additionally, too much mulch in the winter months might make it difficult for new spring growth to grow if the mulch is not removed soon enough. Be gentle removing the mulch in case the plants have started to grow underneath.

Planning for potential

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If your perennial plants are happy, they won't just look great; they'll expand! Regular maintenance can help prevent plants from spreading too far and becoming unruly, but you can also plan for perennial growth. Leave space around your perennials so that they can expand year after year and reach their full potential.

Research beforehand so you know just how big your plants could get. It takes patience to let your plants grow to their potential and fill out your garden, but it is worth the wait.

Leafy greens

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Flowers aren't you're the only option for low-maintenance plants that come back every year. Although flowers add dramatic bursts of color when they're done blooming your garden can be left a little barren.

Choosing some perennial foliage, such as Hostas, is a great way to add variety to your garden while still reducing the amount of spring planting you need to do. Other leafy perennials to consider, include Lungwort, Sedum, Coleus, or Caladiums.

Conclusion

Perennials are an excellent garden choice. They provide beautiful flowers and foliage while reducing the amount of work you need to do, especially during the spring planting season.

Although these returning plants are a low-maintenance option, there are a few key things to be aware of to help them thrive in your garden. Think about available space now and in the future, and give your plants the care they need.

Choose a variety of flowers and foliage that will add beauty to your garden throughout the seasons, and perennial plants will help you grow a beautiful garden with ease.