Quotes from Steven A. Frowine

The species name is kind of like your own first name (except it comes last in a plant's botanical name). The genus name is similar to your family name (except in botanical names, it comes first).

The water needs of perennials vary. Some are moisture-lovers, others are drought-tolerant, and many are somewhere

Here's stuff you can cut out any time you see it: Dead wood: Remove dead canes down to the ground level. Damaged wood: Cut it back into about 1 inch of healthy wood. Misplaced stems: Take off stems that are rubbing together (choose one and spare the other), stems that are taking off in the wrong direction, and stems that are trailing on the ground.

Many perennials (like most people) enjoy being fed. They respond by growing more robustly and producing more flowers. You're fine with a general, all-purpose garden fertilizer, applied according to the label directions during the height of the growing season.

A hybrid plant is the result of the cross-pollination between two genetically different plants, usually of the same species but different varieties. This combination can happen because of cultivation, or it can occur naturally through bee pollination between two different plants.

I have to admit that fertilizing the majority of perennials isn't mandatory. If you plant them in soil that suits them (and do your homework when choosing the plants), they may do just fine without it. Good, organically rich soil and good growing conditions and regular water can sustain healthy, hearty perennial growth for quite some time.

so I recommend picking up Roses For Dummies (Wiley Publishing, Inc.) if you just can't get enough of roses.

You can use annuals To fill an entire flowerbed (this popular use is why some places call annuals bedding plants) In container displays — in pots, windowboxes, patio planter boxes, and more To fill a hanging basket To edge a walkway To "spot" color in a perennial bed In edging and as decoration for a vegetable or herb garden To cover over or at least distract from a fading spring bulb display

Without a doubt, water is an annual's number one need.

You can't deny that regular doses of plant food significantly boost your annuals (make sure you apply it according to directions). The leaves become healthier and greener, and you end up with more buds and flowers.

Minis: Spare the minis — they're so small already. Just shape miniature roses lightly in early spring, and maybe take out old stems every few years to make way for newcomers.

I'm not going to lie — other creatures as well as humans adore roses.

That said, forewarned is forearmed,

Some annuals are so fast-growing that you can sprinkle their seeds on good soil in late spring, right outside, and they'll quickly sprout and grow. This group includes popular ones like zinnias, marigolds, and nasturtiums. This process may require you to do some thinning at some point, but otherwise, it's dead easy.

or brown bugs that lead to misshapen leaves, deformed buds, and discolored flowers (with brown spots). They especially love light-colored roses and are most common in early summer. You can spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

So, what, exactly are perennials? They're long-lived herbaceous (non-woody) plants — flowers and herbs, mainly. How long they last depends on the plant and the conditions in your garden.

Black spot: Rose leaves develop small black spots with fringed edges. The fungus that causes black spot is worse in hot, humid weather. To treat, remove and destroy affected leaves (don't add them to the compost pile). Prune the plant to improve air circulation, and water in the morning. Some sprays that fight this disease include summer oil (a light horticultural oil), neem oil, a baking soda solution, sulfur-based sprays, and strong chemicals — ask at your local garden center.

They're especially nice for shady areas where lawn won't grow.