After the long winter, it is always wonderful to see some spring colour in the garden and perennial flowers are ideal for this.
Unless the days are really warm, not a great deal of time will be spent outside, so it is a good idea, to plant some perennial flowers, where they will be seen from the window.
Under a tree, or beside a path, will look particularly lovely.
Spring flowers do like to be in a sheltered position, out of the cold and wind, so planting perennial flowers under shrubs will not only look good, but protect them too.
To get the bestout of these early-spring perennials and to set them off well, it is sensible to see that the area around them is well-weeded and mulched before they flower.
As they are relatively low-growing,it pays to grow them in generous groups containing several plants.
Whatever type of garden, planting these for spring colour, will enhance it.
For the very best effect, groups of three or five plants together is best.
However, plants which have grown from seeds in the flower bed, always seem to be just in the right place, without any help.
Some thought needs to be given to which types of plant, these are planted with, so that they look their best.
Such varieties as Virginia Bluebells,because of their tendency to die back,are best planted with slower growing plants.
Pasque Flowers, work well in shady areas, beneath perennial trees,and Heartleaf Brunnera, works really well with hostas and lungworts.
Colour combinations such as blue, white and yellow, or pink and white, look very good for spring colour in cottagetype gardens.
Combining early perennial flowers, with plants which haveevergreen foliage and spring bulbs, creates a an area which will still look good after the perennial flowers and spring bulbs have faded.
Add to this, some summer perennials, such as geranium, paeonia and astrantia and the garden will continue to look great for the rest of the year.
With a little work and some patience, before long it will be a garden which any gardener can be proud of.