Question by mrse: How to classify perennials and wildflowers?
I have a project for school to design a shade garden. I was looking through two books to get ideas of the specific plants to put in the garden. One book "Native Plants of the Northeast" has a section for wildflowers. Another book "Making the Most of Shade" has a section for perennials. I like a few plants from both the wildflower and perennial lists, but am unsure how to categorize them when I go to write the detailed plant list. For example, can't some wildflowers be perennials? On the other hand are perennials wildflowers? Or should I just keep two separate sections? If someone could help clarify this would be helpful.

Best answer:

Answer by reynwater
Yes, some wild flowers are perennial, like chickory. Yes, some perennials are wild flowers. Suggest you "categorize" by annual or perennial plants.

Perennial plants come back each year from the root ball.

Annuals must be planted every year (by seeding or planting established plants).

As for shade lovers, here's a little info: http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=shade+loving+flowers&ygmasrchbtn=web+search&fr=ush-ans

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Please read other answers to this question at the very bottom of this page, below you will find a video and related articles that will try to answer the question, if you have a proper answer please post it at the bottom.

The Williamsburg Collection

Whether you are a seasoned landscaper, or simply enjoy outdoor home improvement as a novice, the Williamsburg Collection is a collection both types of outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy. If elegance, class, and simplicity are all things you would like to incorporate into your outdoor haven, consider investing in Campania International's latest collection. The Williamsburg Collection offers a broad spectrum of products all designed to integrate an eighteenth century theme with both English and American influence.

This collection is ideal for all backyards, landscapes, and gardens. It incorporates polished, refined pieces with the perfect amount of embellishment and decoration. The collection will fit nicely with heavily ornamented areas that are missing that one special piece, as well as smaller, more uninhabited landscapes that need just one amazing garden furnishing to bring the area to life.

Envision boxwood hedges, elegant terraces, and classical urns. This unique, distinctive style inspired by American gardens from the eighteenth century is influenced by particular architectural patterns and garden design books fashionable in England at the time. Volumes of these design books can even be found in Colonial Williamsburg's rare books collection.

The urns, stands, basins, columns, and other various garden accents displayed in these English design books were a huge influence on American landscapers; however these gardeners generally preferred simpler, less adorned versions of these outdoor water features. Campania International's new Williamsburg garden arrangements pay homage to these American gardeners by offering pieces that celebrate form over ornamentation and display a decidedly refined, aesthetically pleasing design which is still quite modern.

There are a couple of exceptions in this collection however, that are more appropriately grouped with the intricate English design of the eighteenth century. Campania International could not resist including their duplication of the spectacularly ornate urns that are a central focal point of the Governor's Palace Grounds: Colonial Williamsburg's most renowned and elaborate garden.

The garden is known for its cool green areas, neat flower gardens, fenced pastures, carefully trimmed boxwoods, and large shade trees. Typical types of flowers found in the gardens include the dogwood, redbud, peony, German and Siberian iris, and the Oriental poppy. Other colonial sites that can be found in historical Williamsburg include the Bruton Parish Churchyard, the Carpenter's Yard, the Duke of Gloucester Street, Great Hopes Plantation, Market Square, Palace Green, and the Play Booth Theater, each of which have its own special influence on the Williamsburg Collection.

The beautifully meticulous urn replicas are the perfect complement to the simpler, more traditional American pieces that make up the most of the Williamsburg Collection. The various urns the collection offers include the Classical Frieze Urn, the Cherub Urn, the Swan Urn, the Neoclassic Urn, and the Orangery Urn, just to name a few. There are also countless other beautiful garden additions offered by this charming collection, not limited to pedestals, stepping stones, birdbaths, and planters.

In combination, the two extremes of the same era come together to offer an amazing selection of historically influenced garden furnishings and outdoor water features. Any of these pieces are sure to turn any garden or outdoor oasis into an environment of elegance, sophistication, and beauty.

Top Tips on Giving a Garden Makeover

Whether you are a seasoned landscaper, or simply enjoy outdoor home improvement as a novice, the Williamsburg Collection is a collection both types of outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy. If elegance, class, and simplicity are all things you would like to incorporate into your outdoor haven, consider investing in Campania International's latest collection. The Williamsburg Collection offers a broad spectrum of products all designed to integrate an eighteenth century theme with both English and American influence.

This collection is ideal for all backyards, landscapes, and gardens. It incorporates polished, refined pieces with the perfect amount of embellishment and decoration. The collection will fit nicely with heavily ornamented areas that are missing that one special piece, as well as smaller, more uninhabited landscapes that need just one amazing garden furnishing to bring the area to life.

Envision boxwood hedges, elegant terraces, and classical urns. This unique, distinctive style inspired by American gardens from the eighteenth century is influenced by particular architectural patterns and garden design books fashionable in England at the time. Volumes of these design books can even be found in Colonial Williamsburg's rare books collection.

The urns, stands, basins, columns, and other various garden accents displayed in these English design books were a huge influence on American landscapers; however these gardeners generally preferred simpler, less adorned versions of these outdoor water features. Campania International's new Williamsburg garden arrangements pay homage to these American gardeners by offering pieces that celebrate form over ornamentation and display a decidedly refined, aesthetically pleasing design which is still quite modern.

There are a couple of exceptions in this collection however, that are more appropriately grouped with the intricate English design of the eighteenth century. Campania International could not resist including their duplication of the spectacularly ornate urns that are a central focal point of the Governor's Palace Grounds: Colonial Williamsburg's most renowned and elaborate garden.

The garden is known for its cool green areas, neat flower gardens, fenced pastures, carefully trimmed boxwoods, and large shade trees. Typical types of flowers found in the gardens include the dogwood, redbud, peony, German and Siberian iris, and the Oriental poppy. Other colonial sites that can be found in historical Williamsburg include the Bruton Parish Churchyard, the Carpenter's Yard, the Duke of Gloucester Street, Great Hopes Plantation, Market Square, Palace Green, and the Play Booth Theater, each of which have its own special influence on the Williamsburg Collection.

The beautifully meticulous urn replicas are the perfect complement to the simpler, more traditional American pieces that make up the most of the Williamsburg Collection. The various urns the collection offers include the Classical Frieze Urn, the Cherub Urn, the Swan Urn, the Neoclassic Urn, and the Orangery Urn, just to name a few. There are also countless other beautiful garden additions offered by this charming collection, not limited to pedestals, stepping stones, birdbaths, and planters.

In combination, the two extremes of the same era come together to offer an amazing selection of historically influenced garden furnishings and outdoor water features. Any of these pieces are sure to turn any garden or outdoor oasis into an environment of elegance, sophistication, and beauty.

Gardens need makeovers, too, for many reasons. These include changes in the soil conditions, change in seasons, change in lifestyle preferences and even just a change of mind! Whatever the reason, these top tips on giving a garden makeover will help you get the job complete to a high standard and in no time at all.

Plan Before Buying

Plants can be expensive and doubly so when they wither and die unexpectedly, in which case you would have to replace them. Therefore, it is always best to plan your garden according to your preferences such as; colours, seasonality and plant quality before purchasing from the nursery.

Even when you can ask from your family and friends for the plants themselves, you still will have to spend out on containers and fertilisers, not to mention investing your time. Therefore it is advised that you plan and research before planting and growing.

Think in Containers

Often, you only need to transfer existing garden plants to new containers to see them in a different light. Think fun, fashionable and fabulous containers to dress up an otherwise common-looking plant. You can think of this garden makeover activity as changing the look of an outfit with the right accessories.

You can also rearrange the plants in unusual designs, at least in terms of your previous preferences. For example, instead of the usual Shakespeare-themed garden, you can have a Japanese-themed garden makeover.

Speaking of accessories, the right statues, chairs and tables, ornaments, jars and even garden umbrellas can change an entire look and feel to a garden. Find inspiration from the houses architecture itself since you want to complement it with the gardens structure, not clash with it.

Go for Annuals and Perennials

Although some gardeners will not mix the two plant types, when it comes to garden makeovers, you will be surprised at the difference it makes. You can fill your garden with perennials like lilies, daisies and black-eyed Susan's and then add splashes of colour with annuals like petunias and pansies.

Look into garden design books to find ideas on how to mix and match these plant types to suit your gardening tastes and skills. You will discover new trends as well as classic arrangements that ought to withstand the test of time, or at least until the next garden makeover comes along.

Create Illusions

Gardens are meant to be fantasies come to life, so think of them as your own Garden of Eden that you can play with.

For example, create an illusion of a larger space with flower-adorned ornaments bordering a small flower patch, or an illusion of fairyland with twinkling lights in the trees. Your imagination is the only limit in your garden makeover.

Patronise Local Plants

When you want to save money on a garden makeover, one of the best ways to do so is to purchase from your local nursery. They ought to have more competitive prices and fresher stocks, which will be to your benefit.

Also, try to look for native plants. Not only will you be able to inject local touches into the garden but you will also be saving on cost because these plants are adapted to the environment. More adaptation, less care and less costs.

Indeed, garden makeovers can be easier than you first thought! Now, dig into the dirt and plant.