Designing a low-maintenance perennial border for the north side of the house. Gets 4-5 hours of filtered sun. Soil is clay-heavy, pH 6.2.
- Bloom succession: Something flowering every month, April through October
- Native-first: 70%+ native species for pollinator support
- Low water: No irrigation after establishment year
- Layered heights: Tall background → medium midground → low edging
#Background (36-48")
| Plant | Bloom | Color | Notes |
|---|
| Actaea racemosa (Black Cohosh) | Jul-Aug | White | Deer resistant, native |
| Eupatorium purpureum (Joe Pye Weed) | Aug-Sep | Mauve | Butterfly magnet |
| Aruncus dioicus (Goatsbeard) | Jun-Jul | Cream | Astilbe-like, tough |
#Midground (18-30")
| Plant | Bloom | Color | Notes |
|---|
| Heuchera villosa (Coral Bells) | Jun-Aug | White | Foliage interest, native |
| Astilbe chinensis (Pumila) | Aug-Sep | Lilac | Tolerates dry shade |
| Polygonatum odoratum (Solomon's Seal) | May-Jun | White | Architectural |
| Geranium maculatum (Wild Geranium) | May-Jun | Pink | Native groundcover |
#Edging (6-12")
| Plant | Bloom | Color | Notes |
|---|
| Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower) | Apr-May | White | Evergreen, spreader |
| Chrysogonum virginianum (Green-and-Gold) | Apr-Oct | Yellow | Long bloom |
| Carex pensylvanica (Penn Sedge) | — | — | Native grass substitute |
- Sheet mulch with cardboard over existing lawn (fall)
- Top with 4" leaf mold compost
- Let settle through winter
- Plant in spring after last frost (~May 10)
- Water deeply 1x/week if no rain
- Mulch 2-3" with shredded leaves
- No fertilizer needed — compost is sufficient
- Cut back perennials in late winter, not fall (winter interest + overwintering insects)
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