One of the signs that spring has finally arrived in our region is when the first signs of those long-forgotten perennials begin poking their way through the soil into the sunlight.

 And, for many people, that is the extent of the care they will offer for the perennials in their yard or garden - once stems, leaves and flowers begin shooting through into the air, you will notice that they are present, acknowledge them and move along, because after all, perennials don't need much attention.

 While this is true to an extent for most perennials, it's also true that, like any other flower, if you want to get the best year-to-year performance and the brightest blooms, you need to put in some nurturing effort.

 For those planting perennials anew this year, the best thing you can do when starting off in the soil is to ensure that the proper growing environment has been selected for the proper flowers.

 If you're looking at planting daffodils, for instance, you have to be mindful that they prefer well-drained and sunny locations for the best growth.

 If at all possible, a hillside makes an excellent breeding ground for daffodils, as water will naturally drain away from your beds.

 Ideally, now is the time of year when you can begin purchasing daffodil bulbs at your local garden centre, or if you're looking for a more specific variety, ordering them from your favourite on-line or mail catalogue resource.

 When ordering, most growers will ship the bulbs to you in the fall and, like other perennials, you'll want to get them in the ground once the weather has cooled and the autumn climate has set in.

 Figuring out exactly how deep to plant your daffodil bulbs is easily done - just plant the bulbs twice as deep as the length of the bulb.

 If your bulb is three inches long, then carve out a hole that is six inches deep.

 The one thing you should remember about daffodils the following spring is that once they begin to sprout, they will require water during their growth, so be prepared to make sure the soil surrounding them stays moist for the weeks leading up to and after blooming begins.

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 Another perennial mainstay, the tulip, will blossom its best in well-drained soils and in full sun.

 You can help keep your tulips from getting too wet by mixing in a good-quality compost or sand in your soil.

 When the time comes to look at planting your new tulip bulbs in the fall, you'll want to plant them at a depth of no less than four but no more than eight inches.

 Tulips are technically perennials but, for best performance, should be treated as annuals.

 That is, according to Gardener's Paradise, to get the best performance out of them and help prevent bulb degradation, you should dig them up once the foliage has died and store them in a dry and cool place before replanting in the fall.

 One thing that you can do to help the growth of any perennial in the coming 2010 growing season is to pack your flower bed with plenty of protective mulch before winter sets in.

 There are a plethora of fall perennial bulb options out there, with colours and blooms to fit all gardens, whether you're looking for a flower to border your garden or a particular species to be the centrepiece of an impressive, colourful display.

 From bleeding hearts to day lilies to foxglove and so much more, there is a perennial flower that is worthy of the investment of your time, money and care.

 But whatever your choice of perennial, make sure that it's something that is appropriate for both your garden and the climate.

 Take the time to do the research or ask questions at your local garden centre here on the South Shore to find out what's best for your growing intentions.

posted on 05/12/09