When does this perennial bloom?

It is spring, and most of us are thinking of what type of look we would like to create for our gardens. Endless choices exist in annuals and perennials. While annuals bloom all summer until frost, perennials bloom at different times throughout the growing season. Annuals grow from seed, flower, produce seeds, and die all within the cycle of 1 year. Familiar examples of annuals include Petunias, Zinnias, Dahlias, Allysum, and Marigolds. Hardy annuals are an exception; these plants grown in northern climates can survive cool weather and even a light frost. In southern climates, hardy annuals can be considered perennials. Pansies are a hardy annual. Biennials are 2-year plants which work to develop a strong root system in the first year, then produce flowers and seeds, and die in the second year. Hollyhock, Lupine, and Dianthus are biennials. Perennials live more than 2 years, and do not bloom continuously like annuals, but have a season of bloom. When planting perennials, keep in mind the phrase, "Sleep, Creep, then Leap!" The first year, a perennial works to establish a root system (sleep). The second year it spreads and grows, and the third year it reaches full size and begins flowering. A listing of native perennials and their season of bloom is available at extension.psu.edu. Two types of perennials exist: Woody perennials and herbaceous perennials. Woody perennials are long-lived plants like trees, shrubs, and some vines. These drop their leaves in the fall, have a permanent structure above the ground (like a tree trunk or vine) and produce new growth, blooms, and seeds each year on "old wood." Dogwood, Lilac, Magnolia, Forsythia, Hydrangeas, Roses, and Azaleas and Rhododendrons are woody perennials. Herbaceous perennials are non-woody, die each fall, the root system overwinters, and grows new each spring. These have a specific "season" of bloom, flowering during spring, early summer, late summer, and fall. After each perennial blooms, the plant's energy concentrates on producing seeds and strong roots. Spring flowering perennials produce blooms in May and June. These originate from Alpine meadows and set seed early. Allium, Coneflower, Dianthus, Lupine, Peony, Creeping Phlox, Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), Iris, Columbine, Crocus, and Primrose are early bloomers. Two very early spring perennials are Hellebores and Snow Drops. Pay careful attention to the plant tags in the nursery; the description usually gives a hint on the bloom time. Summer flowering perennials show colors in July and August, such as Black-Eyed Susan, Hosta, Coneflower, Coral Bells, Heliopsis, Daylilies, Coreopsis, Hollyhocks, Gaillardia, and Shasta Daisy. Hardy Hibiscus is slow to rise out of the ground but produces beautiful large blossoms into the fall. Fall blooming perennials display colors in September and October until frost. Sedum (stonecrop), Asters, Chrysanthemums, Liatris, and Goldenrod all add beautiful fall tones to the landscape. Perennial grasses also have specific bloom times. Cool season grasses bloom in spring and early summer, such as Feather Reed Grass, Blue Fescue, Blue Oat Grass, and Hakone Grass. Warm season grasses such as Fountain grass, Mondo grass, Maiden grass, Prairie Dropseed, and Giant Reed grass bloom in fall, displaying graceful tassels which sway with the wind and provide winter interest in the landscape. If you are searching for a perennial that blooms constantly from spring until fall (or frost), look for the terms "continuous bloomer," or "ever bloomer" on the plant tag. Yarrow is a continuous bloomer. Perennials listing "repeat bloomer" on the plant tag typically produce a flush of color several times throughout the season, with brief rest periods between blooms. Many roses are repeat bloomers. By combining perennials with different bloom periods, you can create a garden which always has something of interest to look at throughout the growing season. Do you know a student pursuing a degree in plant science, such as agriculture, agronomy, botany, horticulture, forestry, environmental studies, landscaping, or closely related field? Encourage them to apply for The Master Gardener Scholarship. The application can be found at: https://go.osu.edu/mgs2025 and is due by April 15, 2025. The annual Erie County Master Gardener Plant Sale will be May 10, 2025, from 9am-Noon at the Erie County Fairgrounds. Master Gardeners dig and divide plants from their gardens for the sale. Meet with the gardeners and ask questions. Funds from the sale support the Scholarship Fund.