Perennial Garden Location

• Bleeding hearts are shade-loving perennials.wet bleeding heart image by Michael Cornelius from Fotolia.com
  
  Site selection is the first step in planning a successful garden, according to the Colorado State University Extension. Perennials such as catmint flourish in the sun while bleeding hearts prefer shade. A location that receives 8 to 10 hours of sunlight a day with some shade is ideal.
  
  

Garden Theme

• With the varieties of perennials reaching into the thousands, choosing a theme reduces the anxiety over which perennials to purchase. Perennial themes could range from particular color choices to planting flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
  
  

Perennial Wish List

• Plants should be chosen for flower color, bloom period and height and light requirements, according to Colorado State University Extension. Making a list of perennials to plant will make the trip to the garden center more enjoyable.
  
  

Garden Blueprint

• Creating a blueprint on paper allows control over where to place plants before they go into the ground. All features of the garden should be noted, such as fences, trellises, hills or ponds. Consider planting taller perennials against a fence or hill.
  
  

Planting Schedule

• Perennials from bulbs should be planted between September and October. A planting schedule needs to be drawn up to indicate the best time times to plant particular flowers as well as their blooming periods.