3 perennial picks
By: Garden Gate staff
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Top performers
Don’t feel overwhelmed shopping for perennials! When it comes to choosing the best blooms, there are plants you can always rely on to perform well.
To find out all about three beautiful and reliable perennials, just click ahead.
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‘HGC Josef Lemper’ hellebore Helleborus niger
One of the best qualities of this newer cultivar is its upward-facing flowers. Since it blooms so early, give ‘ ‘HGC Josef Lemper’ a spot where you’re sure to see the flowers without having to trudge through the snow or mud.
While ‘HGC Josef Lemper’ is ideal in the garden, you may find it sold as a winter houseplant. Keep it cool and moist indoors until you can work the ground to dig a hole.
Blooms White in late winter to early spring
Light Part to full shade
Soil Moist, well-drained
Size 12 to 18 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 4 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
Source Pine Knot Farms
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Japanese roof iris Iris tectorum
Plant this short iris along a path or near the front of a border where you can easily enjoy the flowers and foliage. Glossy swordlike leaves remain attractive even after the blossoms fade and look good paired with short billowy plants.
Each crested flower can be up to 6 inches across. Like other irises, it will spread to form large clumps that need dividing every three or four years.
Blooms Lilac-blue flowers in late spring
Light Full sun to part shade
Soil Moist, well-drained
Size 12 to 18 in. tall and wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 4 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
Source Niche Gardens
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‘Pallida’ veronica Veronica gentianoides
‘Pallida’ is perfect at the front or middle of the border. Deadhead spikes as they finish to keep the plant tidy and let the glossy green rosette of leaves show better. In areas with mild winters, foliage is often evergreen. And deer and rabbits won’t bother the leaves or flowers.
Blooms Pale blue in late spring to early summer
Light Full sun to part shade
Soil Moist, well-drained
Size 12 to 18 in. tall, 15 to 20 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 4 to 7
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 7 to 1
Source Edelweiss Perennials
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