I grow perennials ... and a lot of weeds...
And vegetables ... also with a lot of weeds.
Have discovered that the best splurge I can make, if I have any money to spend, is a big load of compost. It makes all the difference in the vegetable garden and probably would with the perennials too, if I had any left over.
The soil in my yard is clay. Someone told me that I should give the garden over to "sweet yellow clover" for a season, that it has a long taproot, mines the minerals from way down in the soil, and breaks up the clay. I may try it this year.
Favorite perennial: tall phlox (just because, no particular reason).
Favorite veggies: beets (so sweet, yum) and pole beans, because they are so ornamental (yellow, purple, green and striped).