Beginner Gardening: Overwhelmed Beginer, 1 by pennefeather

pennefeather wrote:
Soletude,

I know it is hard to go slowly when you want everything to look "right" immediately. Keep in mind that you are the only one who knows the look that you are striving for. The rest of us will assume that is what you what.

Having said that, if you would like to add perennials to you garden, I would suggest purchasing one or two types this year. I usually would get several of each one so that they make a statement. The minimum that most landscapers recommend is three although you could certainly get more.

You already have a tall narrow shape with the glads, so I would consider another shape such as a daisy or round shape for contrast. My favorite flower in this category are the coneflowers. Coneflowers are available in a variety of colors: white, pink, orange, yellow, and red. They range in height from about 20" to 40", so there should be a size that is good for your glads. Unless you purchase the newer sterile hybrids, you are should have new seedlings new year.

This picture has kims knees, the short coneflowers with the taller liatris mixed in. The lilies have already lost their blooms.

You might also want to consider something airy like a short ornamental grass.