Planting Perennials in the Spring

planting perennials

As you cozy up by your fireplace, snuggled in a blanket, looking at pictures from last year when life was warmer, you may find yourself dreaming of spring and feel the itch to start gardening again.

Which begs the question: which perennials should you plant this year? Now is a great time to start thinking about the types of plants you want to have and planning for the living art you will create. Spring is just around the corner and you can get a head start on refining your vision and exquisite design.

Here are some tips to get you thinking about your garden space and key perennial plants to liven it up.

Location and Layout

Start with your location and layout. Where will your garden be located on your property? This will help you consider climatic factors, such as how much sunlight and rain will it get and what the soil is like. It will also help you realize exactly how much space you have to work with.

When you have answered these questions for yourself, you can start to plan what flowers you can include in your design. What flowers will grow best in the conditions offered by your garden? How much space do those flowers require and how will this affect spacing?

You might also consider specific design ideas such as a Japanese-style Zen garden, a butterfly garden, or shady island bed.


Perennials provide endless opportunities to bring colour to your garden. To narrow down your colour palette, start by considering the colour of your home: do you want to use similar colours, or create contrast? Which colours are most appealing to you and what other colours will compliment them?

Types of perennials that offer various beautiful colours are Blanket Flower, Coreopsis, Gaura, Hibiscus, and Pincushion flowers.

planting perennials

Height and Bloom

Perennials come in different colours and sizes! The height of your perennials is an extremely valuable dimension to consider.

Planting perennials of varying heights allows you to create levels of colour. For example, on the edge of your garden you might have the shortest plants and then the tallest towards the center. This will add depth and give your garden a very impressive and organized look.

Additionally, perennials bloom at different times. You can stagger bloom times throughout to keep your garden in a constant state of vibrancy. Ensure colours you want to see together come from flowers with coinciding bloom times.

One key tip from Corporate Horticulturist, John Valleau: “simply stretch out your arms, and in an area of approximately that diameter, try to include a perennial that blooms in spring, one in summer and one in fall.”

Considering plant height and bloom times will allow you to design a garden that is colourful and lively for the entire season and from every visible angle.

Exquisite gardens take expert skill and knowledge from experienced landscapers – which is exactly what we offer. We can take your garden vision and make it a reality. Contact us today!