"A perennial is a herbaceous plant that lives 3 years or longer. Most perennials die to the ground in the fall but return in the spring from various forms of overwintering root systems. Some have fibrous roots, others have flesh roots, still others are bulbs, corms, tubers, or rhizomes. Perennials have different life spans from short lived (lasting just a few years in the garden) to long lived - (remaining almost indefinitely)." Iowa Master Gardener Workbook; Iowa State University; University Extension; MG 5 September 2002

What does herbaceous plant mean? Basically a plant that has little or no woody stems & looses it leaves at the end of the growing season.

See more peonies in Bed #23.

Peonies are true perennial plants. They can live almost forever. In old country cemeteries you will find them growing beautifully without any care at all. In fact, they get mowed over after they are done blooming in some cases. They are truly amazing plants. It's just too bad some genius garden scientist can't figure out how to get them to repeat bloom throughout the summer. Wow! can you imagine that!

There are several kinds of peonies. Klehm's Song Sparrow Farm & Nursery website is a fantastic source of information on all types of peonies. www.songsparrow.com

See the following shortcuts for growing information on peonies.
American Peony Society
Cultivation Instructions

About to burst it blooms. I traded some hostas for this plant. I wanted one really badly. It pokes out of the ground pretty early. On freeze-warning nights I cover it with a bucket. It's worth the effort.

www.paeonia.com/html/about_peonies/about_peonies.htm
www.songsparrow.com

I'm beginning to like heuchera & tiarellas as much as hostas. This one is a beauty. It's wonderful color & texture in the garden.

I just planted the new, yellow 'Sunspot' & the gold 'Amber Waves' heucheras.

Perennial / native to China, eastern Siberia & Japan. 18 - 24" tall. Blooms blue-violet or gray-blue in summer. Wonderful "BLUE" in the border garden.

Shared with me by my friend, Marilyn Van Wyk.

I saw this plant growing in rock walls in Dubuque one early spring. I was on a mission until I found out what it was & where to get some.

Early spring is it's time to shine. Then it should be cut back but that doesn't always happen. It winters over nicely, grows anywhere but preferably poor dry soil. It freely self-seeds filling in cracks & spots where little else would dare to grow. If it gets raggedly or ugly later in the season I just pull it out knowing spring seedlings will persevere.

Look! at these wondrous veined & variegated leaves. I think I grow plants more for their foliage color, characteristics, size, & shapes than for just the blossoms.

New variety of Sunflower just purchased (April 05) at Sunny Slopes Nursery, Leighton, IA. They always get the newest fun plants there. Should be a great addition to the perennial sun garden.

She hasn't gotten very tall (approx. 16") but has been blooming for weeks now in the heat & drought of July.