by Judy Good
I like to say, “People don’t buy flowers, they buy butterflies in the garden.” And it’s true. We tend to plant our landscapes for the benefits of our dreams. We plant anticipating birds and butterflies, cooling shade and lush cutting gardens.
But not all plants are equal. Some have the advantage of RPM-production. RPM is a natural technology, patented by Forrest Keeling. The process allows perennials to grow twice as fast, blooming in their first season.
Forrest Keeling grows hundreds of native species with RPM technology–trees, shrubs, and perennials. All hardy and perfect for those gardens of your dreams.
Our RPM technology uses 12 steps including quality, local seed, special growing medium, and air-root pruning. Each step helps ensure well-developed, fibrous root masses so plants hit the ground running! Those deep roots are perfect for rain gardens and bioswales and help the plants defy drought. Because RPM perennials come each year, your plantings return each year. Forrest Keeling’s RPM perennials are easy-to-establish, and resist transplant shock better. Flowering in the first season is great for beauty. But it’s also important for food production for upland birds and songbirds.
The first step in designing your new or revised landscape area is to decide what you want from its plants. Trees and shrubs create structure and annuals provide color throughout a season. Adding perennials will provide both beauty and solutions saving time, money, and maintenance.
Need some ideas?
- Dry shade under mature trees? Try Purple Coneflower, Columbine and Wild Geranium.
- Wet site? Cardinal Flower, Southern Blue Flag, and Swamp Milkweed are a few colorful options.
- Sunny slope? Coreopsis, Western or Ox-Eye Sunflower, Showy Goldenrod, and Aromatic Aster will defy drought.
- Bland, boring border? Rose Mallow, Rattlesnake Master, Butterfly Milkweed, Prairie Blazing Star and New England Asters are sure to please show-stoppers that will also draw butterflies and birds!
Your perennial beds may need a boost during cold winter months and on through fall. Add multi-season appeal with native woodies. Some of our shrub favorites are serviceberry, sweetspire, black chokeberry and witchhazel. Add understory trees like dogwoods, redbuds, and fringe tree. Then, consider large-growing trees for shade and wildlife benefits. We’d suggest native oaks, yellowwood, hornbeam, black gum and more.