Almost every morning it is the same in this household. Jump out of bed, put the coffee on, clean up, grab a bite and dash for the back door. At that point there is always a little pause to look out over the back porch to see what has happened during the night to the perennial garden. A fading bloom over there; a new bloom here; a little twinkle from the morning sun on the dew. The evening pace is not much different. Run in; put dinner on; check the mail; pay the due bills; eat; clean up and finally there is a minute to relax. Once again it is back to the porch and a few minutes of calm; once again we look out over the perennial garden, to see what has happened during the day.

The perennial plant comes back year after year and thus, in the early spring, we don't have to start over again. Of course a few don't make it throught the hard New England winter but that just makes a little space for something new to try and enjoy throughout the season. No matter if you live in a New York city high rise, or a sprawling Iowa farm, the perennial can be made to show its beauty with the satisfaction of knowing that next year it will be back; a little bigger and a little stronger.

Our Perennial Page. Being a newcomer to perennial gardening I feel encouraged when I recognize a plant by two names and recognize it as a shade plant or as a sun loving plant. So, in this space I'll feature the plants that I've tried in my garden, or hope to soon.

Lists and Links. Last summer I caught the "perennial passion" because I worked in a garden center that featured perennials. My first list that I was able to recite to a questioning customer was "what perennials like the shade?", so I'm alwasys watchful of varied resources for helpful lists. Check here for a helpful list of lists of those plants that are expecially suited for special situations in the perennial garden.. Find out which plants will bring hummingbirds but not deer, or those that like shade, or even those that bring butterflies.

Clippings! There is much to gardening that I find that renews the spirit. So this space will be the result of what has caught my eye and stirred my thoughts. It could be a recipe, a poem, any interesting use of a plant, a garden that I've visited, or other. For example, do you know about a glancing ball and why they were a feature in Victorian Gardens?

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