{"id":1147,"date":"2026-04-22T09:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T06:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=1147"},"modified":"2026-04-22T09:03:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T06:03:00","slug":"gardening-tips-for-planting-perennials-that-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=1147","title":{"rendered":"Gardening Tips for Planting Perennials That Last"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Flowers
Photo courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens\/Scott Dressel-Martin<\/a>.
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June is Perennial Garden Month, but the real work starts now, while spring is still stretching out and the yard is full of possibility. If you are craving color that lasts beyond a single season, perennials are where to begin. Unlike annuals, they return year after year, which means the choices you make now will shape your garden for seasons to come. Fortunately, Colorado offers no shortage of options, from vibrant blooms to sculptural forms that bring texture and movement to a landscape. <\/p>\n

\u201cPerennials provide all-year visual interest,\u201d explains Sonya Anderson, assistant curator at Denver Botanic Gardens<\/a>. \u201cWhen you use native and adaptive species, you\u2019ll also have plants that are hardy and drought-resistant.\u201d Even better, they create habitat for pollinators and small animals, adding another layer of life to your garden. <\/p>\n

If you are not sure where to start, think in terms of four simple steps. It is less a checklist and more a rhythm to follow. <\/p>\n

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Photo courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens\/Scott Dressel-Martin<\/a>.
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PLAN. <\/h3>\n

Sketch your yard, map out where you want plants to go, and note whether each area gets full or partial sun. These are the details you\u2019ll need when selecting plants. <\/p>\n

PURCHASE. <\/h3>\n

Bring your plan to a garden center and ask for guidance. Check plant tags for sunlight needs, water requirements, and growth rate. Look for Plant Select\u00ae varieties, says Erin Bird, director of marketing and communications for DBG. \u201cThis program is a collaboration between DBG, CSU Extension, and nurseries to source, trial, and introduce plants proven to withstand Colorado\u2019s intense weather, low water, and unique soil.\u201d<\/p>\n

PREP. <\/h3>\n

Before planting, amend your soil. Michael Morris, a manager at The Flower Bin in Longmont, recommends products like Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat, & Compost. \u201cIt\u2019s rich in trace minerals, organic materials, and beneficial microbes,\u201d he says. \u201cIt improves soil structure, helps clay drain better, and allows plants to take up water and nutrients more efficiently.\u201d <\/p>\n

PLANT. <\/h3>\n

Plant in late spring, once soil temperatures consistently reach 60 degrees or higher. Choose a cloudy day or evening, Michael advises: \u201cThis gives plants time to acclimate without the stress of direct sun and heat.\u201d Keep new plants evenly moist by checking them daily and watering as needed. <\/p>\n

Cut back perennials the following spring, once new growth appears. \u201cDon\u2019t cut them back in the fall,\u201d says Sonya. \u201cImportant insects lay eggs on the stems, and the plants provide shelter and food for wildlife throughout winter.\u201d<\/p>\n

For print-exclusive stories, download the digital magazine<\/a> or pick up a copy from select local King Soopers, Safeway, Tattered Cover, or Barnes & Noble locations.<\/p>\n

The post Gardening Tips for Planting Perennials That Last<\/a> appeared first on Home & Garden Colorado<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Photo courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens\/Scott Dressel-Martin. June is Perennial Garden Month, but the real work starts now, while spring is still stretching out and the yard is full of possibility. If you are craving color that lasts beyond a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1147","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1147"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1147"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1147\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1147"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1147"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}