Perennial Care Guide

Acaena microphylla

Acaena microphylla · Perennials

Likes sunny or partially shaded areas and well-drained soils. Used in rock gardens, borders and as a ground cover.

Achillea multifida

Achillea multifida · Perennials

A drought-tolerant plant that loves full sun. It grows even in well-drained, poor soils. Ideal for rock gardens, borders and for attracting pollinators.

Alpine Aster

Aster alpinus · Perennials

It likes cool summers, full sun and very well-drained, chalky soil. It struggles in summer in hot climates like Izmir, so it is recommended to grow it in a spot with afternoon shade and good air circulation.

Arabis drabiformis

Arabis drabiformis · Perennials

WARNING: This plant is an alpine plant endemic to Anatolia's high mountains. Growing it in Izmir's hot, humid climate is almost impossible and it can only be attempted in special alpine greenhouses or well-drained rock gardens.

Aubrieta

Aubrieta olympica · Perennials

It likes cool climates, full sun and very well-drained, chalky soil. It struggles in summer in hot regions like Izmir, so it should be grown in spots that get afternoon shade and have good air circulation (for example between stones in a stone wall).

Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia spp. · Perennials

Likes places with plenty of light but no direct midday sun. It does well in rich, well-drained soils. It is grown for its iconic bird-like flowers and large, showy leaves.

Bleeding Heart

Lamprocapnos spectabilis (syn. Dicentra spectabilis) · Perennials

A plant native to cool, humid, shady forests. It is very difficult to grow in Manisa's hot, dry climate; it goes completely dormant in the summer heat and its roots struggle to survive.

Blue Marguerite

Felicia amelloides (syn. Agathea coelestis) · Perennials

A very sun-loving plant known for its sky-blue, daisy-like flowers. It prefers well-drained soils and is quite drought tolerant. Excellent for borders, pots and rock gardens.

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata · Perennials

A popular classic houseplant fern known for its air-purifying properties, with full, arching fronds. It likes places with bright but indirect light, high humidity and humus-rich soil kept constantly moist (not wet). It is very sensitive to low humidity.

Bugleweed

Ajuga reptans · Perennials

An evergreen ground cover that spreads by stolons and covers an area quickly, ideal for shady and partially shaded areas. It is used for its purple-blue spring flowers and colorful leaves, and likes well-drained, moist soil.

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa · Perennials

It prefers full-sun areas and sandy, gravelly, very well-drained poor soil. It is known for its bright orange flowers that attract butterflies and for its drought tolerance; because of its deep taproot, it does not like being moved.

Carduus olympicus

Carduus olympicus · Perennials

A mountain plant endemic to Turkey and found only on Uludağ; it needs cold winters and cool summers. It cannot adapt to Izmir's hot, long summers and mild winters, so growing it in the garden is almost impossible and not recommended.

Carnation

Dianthus · Perennials

A hardy plant that generally has fragrant flowers and loves sun and well-drained, calcareous (alkaline) soils. Ideal for rock gardens and borders; its biggest enemy is heavy soils that stay wet in winter.

Catmint

Nepeta × faassenii · Perennials

A perennial with lavender-blue flower spikes over gray-green, fragrant leaves, used as an edging and border plant. Drought tolerant; attracts bees.

Caucasian Pincushion Flower

Scabiosa caucasica · Perennials

A plant grown for its long-blooming, showy, pinks-like flowers that likes sun and well-drained, chalky soil. It is sensitive to winter wetness, and for continuous flowering the faded flowers need to be removed regularly.

Centaurea dealbata

Centaurea dealbata · Perennials

A silver-leaved, drought-tolerant perennial native to the Caucasus and Northeastern Turkey. It loves full sun and well-drained soils; pruning after the main flowering keeps the plant neater and sometimes makes it flower again.

Chinese Money Plant

Pilea peperomioides · Perennials

A popular and minimalist houseplant known especially as the 'Chinese Money Plant' (Pilea peperomioides) for its round, coin-like leaves. It likes spots with bright but indirect light and a very well-drained potting soil. It multiplies easily by producing offsets from its roots and stem; it is very sensitive to overwatering.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum morifolium · Perennials

The flower of autumn; it colors the garden between September and November. Pinching the tips in summer gives it a dense, abundantly flowering form.

Common Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris · Perennials

An elegantly flowering plant suitable for shaded and cool garden corners. To survive Izmir's hot summers it needs afternoon shade and constantly moist soil. Leaf miner is its most common pest.

Dalmatian Bellflower

Campanula portenschlagiana · Perennials

A spreading, evergreen perennial that is ideal for rock gardens and walls. It likes well-drained soils and afternoon shade; it blooms abundantly in spring and early summer.

Daylily

Hemerocallis spp. · Perennials

An extremely hardy and long-lived herbaceous plant whose individual flowers stay open for only one day but which blooms abundantly in clusters. It likes sunny areas and well-drained soils; although it is drought tolerant, it performs better with summer irrigation.

Doronicum orientale

Doronicum orientale · Perennials

A plant that produces yellow, daisy-like flowers in spring and goes completely dormant (sheds its leaves) with the summer heat. It likes partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Dwarf Soapwort

Saponaria pumilio · Perennials

A rock garden plant native to the high Alps of Europe, growing in a cushion form. It is absolutely not suitable for Izmir's hot summers and wet winters; to keep it alive it must be grown in gravelly, well-drained soil, protected from afternoon sun and sheltered from winter rains.

Eastern Cyclamen

Cyclamen coum · Perennials

A frost-hardy cyclamen species that flowers in winter. It likes partial shade, such as under deciduous trees, and well-drained, humus-rich soil. It goes dormant in summer and must be kept dry; it is very suitable for Manisa's climate.

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea · Perennials

A generally biennial plant that forms a leaf rosette in the first year and flowers in the second year. It likes partial shade and moist, humus-rich soils. Because it contains digitalin, a heart medication, all parts are highly poisonous and must never be eaten.

Garden Sage

Salvia x superba · Perennials

A very popular, long-flowering herbaceous plant that loves sun and well-drained soils and is drought tolerant. When pruned hard after the main flowering, it blooms abundantly again in autumn; it is very attractive to bees.

Gaura

Oenothera lindheimeri · Perennials

A perennial that is very tolerant of heat and drought and produces small white-pink flowers that dance in the wind on thin, long stalks. It is ideal for natural and low-maintenance gardens.

Globe Thistle

Echinops ritro · Perennials

A very hardy plant with globe-shaped blue flower heads that blooms in summer. It likes full sun and poor, dry, well-drained soil; thanks to its drought tolerance it is ideal for water-saving gardens (xeriscape).

Golden Cinquefoil

Potentilla aurea · Perennials

A cushion-forming perennial herbaceous plant native to the high mountain meadows of Europe and Turkey. It has bright yellow flowers that open in summer. It is suitable only for high-altitude regions with cool, humid summers; growing it in the hot, dry Mediterranean climate is nearly impossible.

Golden Hawk's-Beard

Crepis aurea · Perennials

A mountain (alpine) plant that loves full sun and very well-drained, gravelly, poor soils. It is suitable for rock gardens and is susceptible to root rot in extremely hot and humid climates.

Golden Marguerite

Anthemis tinctoria · Perennials

A very drought-tolerant plant that blooms all summer with yellow, daisy-like flowers. It likes full sun and well-drained, even poor soil; its worst enemy is heavy soil that stays wet in winter.

Goldenrod

Solidago spp. · Perennials

A hardy herbaceous plant that loves sun, grown for its bright yellow flower clusters that open in late summer and autumn. It is drought tolerant and very important for bees; some species (such as Canada Goldenrod) can spread aggressively by rhizomes.

Gypsophila olympica

Gypsophila olympica · Perennials

A rock garden plant native to Turkey and endemic to Uludağ that spreads in a cushion form. Full sun and perfectly drained, gravelly, chalky soil are vital; overwatering causes root rot.

Hellebore

Helleborus spp. · Perennials

Evergreen shade plants that flower in winter and spring; they have rhizomatous roots, not bulbs. To get through Izmir's hot summers they need full shade and rich soil kept constantly moist all summer.

Hosta tardiflora

Hosta tardiflora · Perennials

A shade plant grown for its foliage that flowers in autumn. To survive in Izmir it absolutely needs full shade and rich, organic soil kept constantly moist throughout the summer; snails and slugs are its greatest enemies.

Inula ensifolia

Inula ensifolia · Perennials

A perennial herbaceous plant with daisy-like yellow flowers, extremely tolerant of drought and poor soil. It likes full sun and well-drained, chalky soil; it is ideal for rock gardens and dry borders.

Large-Flowered Tickseed

Coreopsis grandiflora · Perennials

A sun- and heat-loving, long-flowering, easy-care perennial. It likes full sun and well-drained soils; regularly removing spent flowers (deadheading) is very important to encourage continuous blooming.

Larkspur

Delphinium grandiflorum · Perennials

A showy flowering plant that likes cool climates; in Manisa's hot summers it is usually grown as an annual. It needs afternoon shade and well-drained, rich soil; all parts of it are poisonous.

Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis · Perennials

An easy-to-grow aromatic perennial known for its lemon-scented leaves. It likes partial shade; because it self-seeds and spreads, the flower stalks should be removed early.

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus · Perennials

A clump-forming tropical grass with long, lemon-scented, ribbon-like leaves. It loves heat and plenty of water; it does not tolerate frost and is overwintered in a pot in cold regions.

Lenten Rose

Helleborus orientalis · Perennials

An evergreen, shade-loving plant that flowers in late winter and early spring. To get through Izmir's hot and dry summers it must be planted in full shade or with only morning sun, in rich and constantly moist soil.

Lisianthus

Eustoma grandiflorum · Perennials

A valuable cut flower known for its elegant, rose-like flowers. It loves full sun and well-drained, calcareous soils but is very sensitive to root rot; the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings.

Longleaf Speedwell

Veronica longifolia · Perennials

An elegant plant known for its spike-shaped blue-purple flowers that open in summer. It likes plenty of sun or light shade and moist but well-drained soil. It is not drought tolerant, so in hot climates like Izmir it needs regular summer watering.

Lupine

Lupinus · Perennials

Likes sunny areas and well-drained, slightly acidic soils. Because its roots fix nitrogen, it enriches the soil; it is used in borders and meadow gardens.

Monkshood

Aconitum napellus · Perennials

ALL PARTS ARE VERY POISONOUS; always use gloves when working with it and keep it strictly away from children and pets. It likes cool, moist, humus-rich soil and partially shaded conditions.

Moth Orchid

Phalaenopsis · Perennials

One of the most popular indoor orchids, known for its long-lasting, elegant flowers. It is planted not in soil but in airy special orchid mixes such as bark. It likes bright places without direct sun (indirect light); the biggest risk is overwatering, which rots its roots.

Neoregelia

Neoregelia · Perennials

A bromeliad species grown for its colorful leaves. Before flowering, the leaves in the center turn bright red, pink or purple. It likes bright, filtered light and an airy, soilless potting mix (such as orchid mix), and water is poured first into the central leaf cup (rosette).

Nidularium

Nidularium · Perennials

A bromeliad species whose center leaves take on bright colors before flowering, creating a 'nest'-like appearance. Compared with other bromeliads it tolerates less light (partial shade/shade). It holds water in its central leaf cup and needs an airy potting mix (such as orchid mix).

Orange Coneflower

Rudbeckia fulgida · Perennials

A hardy herbaceous plant that likes sun and blooms for a long time from midsummer to autumn. It is moderately drought tolerant, but in Izmir it performs best with regular watering; removing faded flowers extends flowering.

Peach-Leaved Bellflower

Campanula persicifolia · Perennials

A perennial that likes cool, humid conditions and produces graceful towers of flowers. It becomes stressed in Izmir's hot summers, so it should be protected from afternoon sun and its soil kept constantly moist.

Peony

Paeonia lactiflora · Perennials

A very long-lived, extremely cold-hardy perennial with large, fragrant flowers in May-June. It dislikes being moved; if planted too deep it will not bloom.

Peperomia

Peperomia · Perennials

A popular houseplant, usually compact, that shows great variety in leaf texture, shape and color. It likes spots with bright but indirect light and an airy, very well-drained potting soil. The biggest risk is root rot caused by overwatering, so the soil should be allowed to dry before watering.

Petunia

Petunia × hybrida · Perennials

One of the most popular annual flowers of summer gardens, known for its abundant, colorful trumpet-shaped flowers. It is ideal for pots, hanging baskets and borders. For abundant flowering it needs full sun, fertile, well-drained soil and regular fertilizing.

Pheasant's Eye

Adonis (cins) · Perennials

ALL PARTS ARE POISONOUS; it should not be ingested and gloves should be used when working with it. It likes full sun and well-drained, chalky (alkaline) soil. It is generally used in rock gardens or natural landscapes.

Prayer Plant

Maranta leuconeura · Perennials

A popular houseplant known for its decorative leaves that fold upward at night as if in prayer. It likes spots with bright but indirect light, high humidity and constantly moist (not wet) potting soil.

Primrose

Primula vulgaris · Perennials

A perennial herbaceous plant that is one of the first heralds of spring, known for its cheerful flowers that emerge from the center of its rosette of leaves. It likes cool, moist, shady woodland. It is difficult for it to survive in the Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, and it needs constant shade and moist soil.

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea · Perennials

A drought-tolerant perennial that blooms all summer with daisy-shaped flowers having orange-brown centers and purple-pink petals. It attracts bees and butterflies.

Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia uvaria · Perennials

A drought-tolerant perennial with showy, torch-like flower spikes. Full sun and very well-drained soil that does not hold water, especially in winter, are vital; its roots rot easily in wet soil.

Rumex olympicus

Rumex olympicus · Perennials

A mountain plant endemic only to the high altitudes of Uludağ that likes cool, moist, rich soil. Growing it in Izmir's hot climate is almost impossible; it can only be attempted by experts, with special conditions that keep the roots cool and constant watering.

Scarlet Avens

Geum coccineum · Perennials

A clump-forming perennial herbaceous plant with vivid red-orange flowers. It loves partial shade (especially afternoon shade) and moist, well-drained, rich soil; in Izmir's heat it needs careful watering in summer.

Sea Thrift

Armeria maritima · Perennials

It likes full-sun areas and very well-drained, sandy or gravelly poor soil. With its tolerance of drought and salt, it is a low-maintenance ground cover ideal for rock and coastal gardens.

Senecio olympicus

Senecio olympicus · Perennials

A mountain plant with silvery leaves endemic only to the high altitudes of Uludağ that likes cool, well-drained soil. Growing it in Izmir's hot climate is almost impossible; it can only be attempted by experts, with special conditions that keep the roots cool and protection from winter wetness.

Silver Mullein

Verbascum bombyciferum · Perennials

A biennial or short-lived perennial native to Turkey. In the first year it forms a rosette of silvery-woolly leaves, and in the second year it sends up a tall stalk with yellow flowers. It likes plenty of sun and poor, well-drained soil; it sustains itself in the garden by dropping abundant seed.

Silver Tansy

Tanacetum argenteum · Perennials

One of Turkey's native plants; it likes full sun and poor, gravelly, very well-drained soil. It is grown for its dense, silvery-gray ground-cover texture and is extremely drought tolerant.

Spearmint

Mentha spicata · Perennials

An aromatic perennial that likes moist, partially shaded places and spreads quickly by rhizomes. It should be grown in a pot or with a root barrier to limit its spread.

Spiny Bear's Breeches

Acanthus spinosus · Perennials

A hardy plant of Mediterranean origin known for its sculptural leaves and showy flower clusters. It performs best in full sun or partial shade and in rich, well-drained soils; it is used in borders and as an architectural focal point.

Statice

Limonium sinuatum · Perennials

It likes full sun and very well-drained, sandy soil. It is extremely tolerant of drought and salt. It is a popular cut flower for fresh and dried flower arrangements.

Stock

Matthiola incana · Perennials

An annual or biennial known for its dense, spicy-scented flowers in spikes that open in spring. For abundant flowering it likes full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. It is also a valuable cut flower.

Strawberry

Fragaria × ananassa · Perennials

A perennial herbaceous plant that spreads along the ground and bears fruit in late spring and early summer. It should be planted without burying the root collar; the plants should be renewed every 3-4 years.

Sweet William

Dianthus barbatus · Perennials

Generally a biennial, in warm climates it is grown as an annual that is sown in autumn and flowers in spring. It loves full sun and well-drained, calcareous soils and withers in summer heat.

Tanacetum armenum

Tanacetum armenum · Perennials

One of Turkey's native plants; it likes full sun and poor, gravelly, well-drained soil. It is extremely drought tolerant. It is grown for its hairy green leaves and button-shaped yellow flowers that open in summer.

Throatwort

Trachelium caeruleum · Perennials

Likes plenty of sun or light shade and rich, moist but well-drained soils. Known for its broad, umbrella-like flower heads, it is popular as a cut flower thanks to its long vase life. In temperate climates it behaves as a short-lived perennial.

Thymus bornmuelleri

Thymus bornmuelleri · Perennials

A thyme species endemic to Turkey; it likes full sun and poor, gravelly, well-drained soil. It is exceptionally drought tolerant and, with its dense aromatic leaves, is an excellent ground cover for rock gardens and dry areas.

Verbascum prusianum

Verbascum prusianum · Perennials

A biennial or short-lived perennial native to Turkey. In the first year it forms a rosette of leaves, and in the second year it sends up a tall stalk with yellow flowers. It likes plenty of sun and poor, well-drained soil; it sustains itself in the garden by dropping abundant seed.

Yellow Flax

Linum flavum · Perennials

A drought-tolerant perennial with bright yellow flowers, ideal for sunny and dry environments. It needs full sun and well-drained, calcareous soils; in wet and heavy soils its roots rot easily.