The History of Perennial Gardens
Perennial gardens have gained their recent popularity in mixed borders and in island beds. The mixed border display of perennial charm originated from the popular borders of the late nineteenth and earlier twentieth centuries. These gardens evolved from the "cottage gardens" of the old world. In these plantings of the common people in Europe they displayed collages of their favorite flowers and herbs gathered together in a haphazard, yet delightfully appealing planting, now known as a mixed border.
Famous horticulturists wrote complimentary books and articles that highlighted and praised these humble flower beds. This elevated the charming folk art of the common people to the grand elaborate informal perennial border schemes which came to surround the homes of the rich in England and in the rest of Europe. Once roses, shrubs, bulbs and trees were utilized in these borders, they became known as "mixed borders."
The first perennial plants were brought to the United states by settlers from Europe. Later these were supplemented with specimen brought from tourists, missionaries, and finally, horticulturists. Now that Americans have begun to appreciate a garden that faithfully returns year after year providing color, texture, and fragrance, the perennial border is returning to the state of mass popularity from which it originated.
Recent Trends in Perennial Gardening
In general, perennial gardening enthusiasts aspire to weed less, use less chemicals- especially when combatting insects that attack the garden, with the widespread use of native plants. Also characteristic of perennial gardens today is the tendency to include more layers of plant growth, and more diversity. The result of this is a lush, abundant, free-flowing garden, one that is unlike the controlled regimentation of the traditional English gardens.
All these aspects taken together compose the new informal gardens that are springing up all over the United States today. These informal gardens have five main characteristics.
1. There is a wider variety of different plants used in gardens. As well as the ever-changing tapestry of perennials, the gardens include roses, annuals, and bulbs, anchored in by a few well-placed trees, shrubs or other structures. This creates a garden that is visually engaging throughout the course of the year. The resulting effect is that as each plant comes into bloom, it is highlighted by constant contrasting background that can be provided through the use of shrubs or other structures such as walls.
2. The plants are seemingly placed at random, in a naturalizing manner.
3. The larger gardens include paths that meander but still lead to a hidden focal point or a bench in the shade.
4. Plants are used in odd numbers with 5 and 7 being the most popular.
5. Some natural materials are used. This includes a stone wall, a large stone acting as a focal point, etc..
The new trend toward the informal garden lends itself to developing the best seasonal interest since they admit the largest number of varieties of plants, including native plants (from the region naturally) and incorporate natural materials into the overall design scheme. These gardens are also have more flowers as the border is not kept carefully pruned back, but is allowed to become a free-flowing mass of color and texture.