Top Perennials for Landscape Professionals to Elevate Their Projects
As landscape professionals, we are constantly on the lookout for plants that can transform a garden or outdoor space while also being easy to maintain and long-lasting. Perennial plants offer the perfect solution. These plants come back year after year, providing continuous beauty and interest in garden designs without requiring the constant upkeep of annual plants. Moreover, selecting the right perennials can make all the difference in taking a landscape design to the next level. In this article, we will dive into the top perennial plants that any landscape business must consider incorporating in their projects.
Top Perennials for Landscape Professionals to Elevate Their Projects
1. Ornamental Grasses: The Ultimate Low-Maintenance Choice
Ornamental grasses are a perennial favorite among landscape professionals due to their visual appeal, low-maintenance nature, and versatility. They come in various sizes, textures, and colors, making them the perfect addition to any landscape design. Here are some of our favorite ornamental grasses that are suitable for a range of landscaping projects:
- Feather Reed Grass: This tall, vertical grass provides structure and drama to a landscape design. The feathery flower plumes create a beautiful contrast to the deep and narrow green foliage.
- Blue Fescue: This short and clump-forming grass adds a silver-blue hue to the garden. It is an excellent choice for edging borders or filling gaps in rock gardens.
- Switchgrass: Available in a range of colors and sizes, switchgrass is an adaptable and robust plant that can tolerate various soil conditions.
2. Native Perennials: Providing Wildlife Benefits and Eco-Friendliness
Incorporating native perennials into your landscape designs not only adds beauty and interest but also offers essential support for local ecosystems. By choosing native plants, you are providing habitat and food resources for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while also contributing to the overall health of the environment. Here are some native perennial plants you should consider for your projects:
- Coneflower (Echinacea): These stunning, daisy-like flowers attract a variety of pollinators such as butterflies and bees. Coneflowers come in various colors and bloom from early summer to fall.
- Yarrow (Achillea): Yarrow features clusters of small, dainty flowers that bloom from late spring to early fall. This hardy plant is drought-resistant and an excellent choice for butterfly gardens or meadows.
- Penstemon: Also known as beardtongue, penstemon is a versatile group of perennials that can tolerate drought conditions and provide valuable nectar for pollinators.
3. Drought-Tolerant Perennials: Sustainable Solutions for Water Conservation
With increasing emphasis on water conservation and efficient irrigation practices, incorporating drought-tolerant perennials into landscape designs is an eco-friendly choice. These plants require little to no supplemental water and flourish in well-drained soils, helping reduce the overall water consumption of a garden. Here are some drought-tolerant perennials to incorporate into your projects:
- Sedum: Often referred to as stonecrop, sedums come in both creeping ground covers and upright varieties. These easy-to-grow perennials boast fleshy, succulent foliage and colorful flowers.
- Russian Sage (Perovskia): This striking plant features tall spires of lavender-blue flowers that contrast beautifully with its silvery-gray foliage. Russian sage is a low-maintenance choice that adds elegance and height to a landscape design.
- Lavender (Lavandula): This popular and fragrant perennial is not only an excellent choice for providing visual appeal and attracting pollinators but is also known for its exceptional drought tolerance.
4. Ground Covers: Enhancing Visual Appeal and Suppressing Weeds
Ground cover perennials play a significant role in landscape designs, filling in spaces and preventing weed growth. These plants create a carpet of color and texture that adds depth and dimension to various landscape styles. Here are a few top-performing ground cover perennials to consider:
- Creeping Thyme (Thymus): This fragrant ground cover produces tiny, aromatic leaves and delicate pink or purple flowers during spring and summer. It is an excellent choice for rock gardens or pathways.
- Ajuga (Bugleweed): With its contrasting, colorful foliage and eye-catching flower spikes, ajuga is a versatile ground cover plant that adds a pop of color and a vibrant sense of life to a garden.
- Creeping Phlox: This evergreen perennial creates a stunning carpet of star-shaped flowers in spring, making it a beautiful and hardy option for slopes, borders, or rock gardens.
Unleash the Full Potential of Perennials
As landscape professionals, incorporating perennials into your projects opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to create impressive, eco-friendly, and enduring garden designs for your clients. By selecting the most suitable plants, such as ornamental grasses, native perennials, and drought-tolerant varieties, you can elevate your work to the next level.
At Willow Creek Container Nursery, we understand the importance of providing high-quality and diverse perennials to help you succeed in your landscaping projects. Contact us today to discuss your wholesale perennial plants and flowers needs and achieve a sustainable and striking landscape for your clients.
