I really like to use hardy perennials in my projects, to make new combinations every time. I hope to get to work a few urban spaces in the near future and would like to prepare myself. I do have quite a lot of general books on perennials, but not about using them in urban spaces. I would appreciate any idea, a web page address, maybe there is a good book on the subject. Thanks, Mojca
I think you need to work with perennials with a mind to what you want to see in the off-season. If you want to see bare ground then, or if you have complete snow cover over the dead foliage, then all herbaceous perennials is fine. But if you can see the ground in winter, as we can here, I prefer to make the bones of the garden with small conifers and grasses and winter plants such as hellebores, for example, and use perennials to dress them up through spring, summer, and fall. I don't have any specific books to suggest but I would look in bookstores or on book sites under garden design as opposed to perennial plants.
Hi Mojca, Great advice from Karin. Also do a google search for: winter garden design evergreen perennials circular garden design That way you can mix evergreen shrubs and perennials. I get most of Slovenia as hardiness zone 8 so plants like helleborus, as Karin suggested, would be wonderful. http://www.uk.gardenweb.com/forums/zones/hze6.html Consider adding bulbs to the mix so you can extend the season of bloom. This site gives you ideas of what blooms when in different zones. You will want to look at the Spring/Fall catalog to see what will bloom in spring to extend the season. http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/ Newt
Dear Karin and Newt, thank you for the nice advice, I'll look at the pages and use the words in google right away. I have one more hour to spend, afterwards we'll go outside to celebrate. Wishing you all the best in the comming year, Mojca
Mojca, you are so very welcome! Happy New Year to you too! I'm on the east coast of the US and have 7 hours to go. Newt