Dear Gardeners:

All beautiful gardens share one characteristic in common: dynamic texture. Different shapes and sizes are what make a garden complete. Many of us skip out on that one element that adds true drama to our perennial borders. Flowers on upright spikes stand out a mile in the garden and add the extra special touch that takes a garden from mundane to spectacular.

Many gardeners shy away from using tall plants because of the difficulties their heavy flower-spikes can impose. But whether gardening in the sun or planting in the shade, helping upright plants stand tall is easy:

• Use single stem flower stakes
• Tie the tall stems to a nearby fence or trellis
• Use circular plant stands to help multi-stemmed upright plants stand up straight
• Underplant floppy perennials with short stiff shrubs or perennials that help provide structural support to their neighbors
• Or, simply let those tall spiky plants flop.

Free flowing plants give gardens a special untidy, cottage feel. Let them fall over in a spring storm... in a matter of days their stems will start to turn upward again toward the sunlight. Whether tall and straight or loose and natural, these dramatic garden divas mingle gorgeously among other garden perennials.

Happy Gardening,
The Bulb Lady®