The Art of Companion Planting with Perennials

Companion planting is a phrase that has taken on many meanings for today's gardeners. Within the scientific community, companion planting is also called intercropping and is a form of polyculture, which describes a method of planting species of plants together for mutual benefit, usually in agricultural situations. Perennials can live for a couple of years or they can live for centuries like trees. There are no defining height requirements for perennials nor are there any restrictions on the type of flowers produced. Perennials include many plant groups including grasses, ferns, shrubs, and trees. They provide great interest and variety, making them an excellent addition to any garden and great to use with companion planting. As a bonus for all types of companion planting, there is special section on feeding your garden properly to ensure it grows big and healthy, and a chapter on garden maintenance. Case studies of real stories from real people, along with a list of resources to help you learn more about companion planting in general are also included. Gardening—especially when using companion planting techniques—is a cathartic process full of learning and joy!