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National Perennial Month: Why Perennials Matter
If you love a garden that gets better every year, June is your month. June is National Perennial Month—a perfect time to celebrate plants that come back season after season, bringing dependable color, texture, and pollinator-friendly blooms to landscapes with less replanting and less waste.
Whether you’re a new gardener looking for “easy wins” or a seasoned plant lover refining your beds, perennials are the backbone of a beautiful, resilient yard.
What Is A Perennial?
A perennial is a plant that lives for multiple years, returning each growing season from its root system (unlike annuals, which complete their life cycle in one season). Many perennials bloom for weeks, then rest, storing energy to return the following year—often bigger and stronger.
Why National Perennial Month Is Important
National Perennial Month is more than a fun gardening calendar moment—it’s a reminder of how much long-term value perennials bring to home landscapes and local ecosystems.
1) Perennials support pollinators and wildlife
Many perennials are rich nectar and pollen sources, helping bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects throughout the growing season. When you plant perennials with staggered bloom times, you create a more consistent food supply.
2) They’re a smart long-term investment
Perennials can cost a bit more upfront than a flat of annuals, but they often:
multiply (many can be divided)
fill in over time
reduce the need to buy new plants every spring
3) Less replanting, less waste
Because they return year after year, perennials can mean fewer plastic pots, fewer trips to the garden center, and less seasonal rework.
4) They build a more resilient landscape
Once established, many perennials handle weather swings better than shallow-rooted annuals. Deep roots can help with:
drought tolerance
erosion control
soil structure and soil life
A Few Great Perennial Plants To Consider
Here are several popular, widely available perennials that bring beauty and function to gardens in many regions. (Always double-check your USDA hardiness zone and sunlight conditions.)
1) Coneflower (Echinacea)
Why gardeners love it: Bold, daisy-like blooms in purple, pink, white, and more.
Benefits:
Excellent for pollinators (bees and butterflies)
Often drought-tolerant once established
Seed heads can feed birds in fall/winter
Strong “summer garden” color with minimal fuss
Best conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil.
2) Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Why gardeners love it: Cheerful yellow flowers that scream summer.
Benefits:
Long bloom time (often mid-summer into fall)
Reliable, hardy, and great for mass planting
Supports pollinators and adds bright curb appeal
Wide varieties are tough and forgiving for beginners
Best conditions: Full sun to part sun.
3) Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Why gardeners love it: Extremely adaptable, available in tons of colors.
Benefits:
One of the easiest perennials to grow
Helps create a full, landscaped look quickly
Many are drought-tolerant and low maintenance
Great for borders, slopes, and “problem areas”
Best conditions: Full sun to part sun.
4) Lavender (Lavandula)
Why gardeners love it: Fragrant, silvery foliage and calming purple blooms.
Benefits:
Loved by bees and other beneficial insects
Drought-tolerant in the right soil
Great for sensory gardens and cut bouquets
Often deer resistant (though nothing is guaranteed)
Best conditions: Full sun, very well-drained soil (avoid soggy spots).
5) Salvia (Salvia nemorosa and other hardy salvias)
Why gardeners love it: Spikes of color and a tidy, upright form.
Benefits:
Major pollinator magnet
Often blooms repeatedly if trimmed (“deadheaded”)
Adds strong vertical interest and pairs well with many plants
Usually heat-tolerant once established
Best conditions: Full sun to part sun.
6) Sedum / Stonecrop (Hylotelephium and Sedum)
Why gardeners love it: Tough succulent-like leaves and late-season flowers.
Benefits:
Very drought-tolerant once established
Great for hot, sunny areas and low-water landscapes
Late blooms can help pollinators when other flowers fade
Adds structure and interest even when not in bloom
Best conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil.
Quick tips for success with perennials
Right plant, right place: Match sun/shade and soil moisture to the plant’s needs.
Think in seasons: Mix early-, mid-, and late-blooming perennials so something is always happening.
Water deeply at first: Many perennials need consistent watering in their first season while roots establish.
Don’t over-mulch crowns: Keep mulch from smothering the base of plants to prevent rot.
Celebrate National Perennial Month with one simple project
If you want an easy way to participate, try this:
Pick a sunny spot that needs reliable color.
Plant a small “starter trio” of perennials (for example: coneflower + salvia + sedum).
Add a layer of mulch and water well for the first few weeks.
By next year, you’ll already see the payoff—stronger plants, more blooms, and more life in your garden.
Fall Planting Guide: Pansies & Cool-Season Blooms for NC
Fall Planting Guide: Pansies & Cool-Season Blooms for NC
As the temperatures begin to drop in North Carolina, it’s the perfect time to refresh your garden with cool-season blooms like pansies. These cheerful flowers thrive in the crisp air of fall and provide vibrant color well into winter.
Choosing Pansies for Your Garden
Pansies are one of the most popular cool-season flowers because they are hardy and come in a wide array of colors, including purples, yellows, whites, and blues. When selecting pansies, look for healthy plants with strong stems and vibrant leaves.
Ideal Planting Time
Plant pansies in early fall, typically from mid-September to early October, to give them enough time to establish before the first frost. In North Carolina’s climate, this timing allows them to flourish through the cooler months.
Soil Preparation
Pansies prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Before planting, amend the soil with compost or organic matter to enhance nutrient content and moisture retention.
Planting Tips
Space pansy plants about 6 to 8 inches apart to allow for growth and air circulation.
Plant them at the same depth as they were in their nursery containers.
Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and provide moisture to roots.
Care and Maintenance
Water regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging.
Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
Fertilize monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to maintain healthy blooms.
Other Cool-Season Blooms to Consider
Along with pansies, consider adding these cool-season favorites to your fall garden:
Violas
Snapdragons
Ornamental kale and cabbage
Dusty Miller
Dianthus
These plants also do well in the North Carolina fall climate and can complement your pansy beds beautifully.
Visit Garden Valley Farmers Market
Stop by any of our five Garden Valley Farmers Market locations throughout Alamance and Guilford Counties for fresh, high-quality pansies and a variety of cool-season plants. Our knowledgeable staff can help you select the perfect blooms and provide additional tips for a thriving fall garden.
Top 5 Mother's Day Gift Ideas
Carefully curated for mom, here are Garden Valley’s Top 5 Mother’s Day gift ideas.
Carefully curated for mom, here are
Garden Valley’s Top 5 mother’s day Gift Ideas
1. hanging baskets
With so many colors, textures, and light options, hanging baskets make the perfect gift for any mom. She’ll be looking at these every time she pulls up the driveway into her home, and, of course, will be reminded of how amazing of a child you are for gifting her these.
Some of our favorites…
For sun, we love the classic Petunia or Million Bell hanging baskets. The more sun, the better! All they need is an occasional dead heading to encourage new bloom growth. But don’t forget to water!
For shade, we love Fuscia! They thrive in those shady places that don’t receive any sun, and their unique blooms easily bring joy to the hearts of those who witness them.
You can read more here about keeping your hanging basket beautiful.
2. houseplants
If you want your mom to enjoy a plant every second of every day… get her a houseplant. They’re easy to care for once you learn their needs, and make a great option for the mothers who don’t have a lot of outdoor space. Our staff at Garden Valley LOVE houseplants and would be happy to help guide you in picking out the perfect one.
3. pottery
Speaking of plants… Your mom is going to need something to put those gorgeous plants in. We hand select our pottery pieces every year, and they will make such a beautiful addition to your mom‘s home. Go ahead and get her the piece she’s been eyeing but not buying. She’ll love it, trust us.
4. Hibiscus
This year‘s hibiscus crop has been absolutely beautiful! They’re healthy, vibrant in color, and would make the perfect addition to your mom‘s summer plant collection! Plus, they thrive in warm, humid conditions, making them the perfect selection for North Carolina Summers.
5. a shopping spree
If you REALLY want to make your mom happy… treat mom to a yummy brunch/lunch, and then surprise her with a shopping spree to Garden Valley. We have so many gorgeous things at our stores that will put a huge smile on your mom’s face. But what really makes the moment special is the time spent together walking through the stores and having those easy, fun conversations. Because no matter what physical gift you get your mom, the memories and little moments like that… those are what she really wants.
*BONUS*
Gift certificate
We do offer gift certificates as well, so if you’re completely stuck on time, this is a great option! Maybe with this, she can finally buy that item she’s been saving up for!
Thank you so much for joining us here. We offer a huge selection of pottery, plants, produce, and soil, making it a one stop shop for you this Mother’s Day! For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
With love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team
Decorating Your Home for Fall with Garden Valley
Are you wanting your house to have the ultimate cozy, autumn vibe? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’re sharing our top seven ways to decorate your home for the fall season with things you’ll find at Garden Valley, and believe us when we say this: you won’t need to go anywhere else.
Are you wanting your house to have the ultimate cozy, autumn vibe? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’re sharing our top five ways to decorate your home for the fall season with things you’ll find at Garden Valley, and believe us when we say this: you won’t need to go anywhere else.
Decorating Your Table
Pumpkins- Whether creating your spooky Halloween centerpiece, mapping out your gorgeous Thanksgiving table runner, or setting your Friendsgiving place card holders, pumpkins are a versatile way to add character to your table for your friends and family to gather around. You can paint them any color that matches your theme, and have the option of any size to fit any space perfectly.
Fruit- One of the most multipurpose ways to create a truly unique table setting is by using fruit. It’s a gorgeous, colorful, practical, and tasty treat that will last you a bit longer than other decor options. Pears, apples, lemons… you name it and we’ve got it. You can literally create an entire tablescape on fruit; and if you add a few candles sporadically throughout the center, you’ve got yourself a gorgeous table that’s screaming “I’M READY” for your next gathering.
Fireplace/Mantle
Pumpkins are the PERFECT addition to your fireplace because they can be enjoyed all season long for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. You can line the mantle, place them sporadically on the hearth, or even stack them IN THE ACTUAL fireplace. We love all of these looks featured below, and honestly, can’t decide which one to do this year. Comment below which one is your favorite!
Front Porch
If you want that front porch “wow factor”, we highly recommend you come and get some mums and pumpkins! With as many sizes, shapes, and colors that we have available, you can create some really cool designs. The front porch is the first thing that you and your guests see when arriving home, and it’s a place that sets the tone of your home’s environment. Whether you’re lining the front steps with mums, or placing pumpkins in chairs or buckets, any pumpkin/mum is sure to leave your guests feeling all the cozy vibes this Autumn season.
Shelves
Adding pumpkins to your shelves, kitchen island, side table, or bookshelf is perfect ways to invite Halloween/Thanksgiving decor into your home. Have fun with it by grouping a bunch of small pumpkins into a bowl; you could also place them neatly around a vase with a fall themed floral arrangement. Whatever your style, pumpkins are an easy and cheap way to incorporate an Autumn feel into your home.
Parties
Last, but not least, you can use pumpkins, mums, cornstalks, etc. from our markets to make GREAT party decorations. Whether using pumpkins as buckets for drinks, creating a “pumpkin patch” for your one year old, having a cider station with colorful mums and string lights, or having a plain old pumpkin carving party… we’ve absolutely got you covered this year!
Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to come visit, you’ll find us here. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, or our Instagram. If you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. And lastly, you can sign up for our newsletter and receive insider coupons/details by filling out the form at the bottom of the page! We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team
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