DENVER — The English invented the perennial border, but it has nothing to do with climate. It's just a way of grouping plants, including perennials, bulbs and shrubs.
While my borders are in straight lines, borders can curve and follow the contours of your landscape. There are no rules, but I have suggestions on growing perennials successfully.
Grow what wants to grow here. That sounds obvious but tried-and-true perennials usually succeed. Many of my perennials have been in place for more than two decades.
Don't fertilize perennials. You'll just get floppy plants that fall over. Top dress perennial beds with nutritious compost. It enriches the soil and conserves moisture.
I have a strict "no bare earth" policy. Perennials should stand shoulder-to-shoulder. They shade the soil and prevent weeds from taking root. Never use bark as mulch. It is not mulch; it's wood.
Some great, easy, hard-to-kill June bloomers for borders include bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum), 'Walker's Low' catmint, the red leaf rose (Rosa glauca), purple Geranium magnificum, peonies, 'Goldmound' Spirea, Cashmir sage (Phlomis cashmeriana), 'Crater Lake Blue' Veronica, meadow sage (Salvia sylvestris), giant sea kale (Crambe cordifolia), star of Persia (Allium christophii), and bush clematis (Clematis integrifolia).
More Proctor's Garden:
> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
9NEWS+
9NEWS+ has multiple live daily shows including 9NEWS Mornings, Next with Kyle Clark and 9NEWS+ Daily, an original streaming program. 9NEWS+ is where you can watch live breaking news, weather updates, and press conferences. You can also replay recent newscasts and find videos on demand of our top stories, local politics, investigations and Colorado specific features.
To download 9NEWS+ on Roku search for KUSA.
To download 9NEWS+ on Fire TV search for 9NEWS.