As I get older (69 now), I plant more and more perennials. We have lots of landscaping and so need many plants.
Straight line winds almost 3 years ago took out about 15 large oaks, so our once shady yard became an almost
full sun yard. We have flowering shrubs (hydrangeas, forsythias, azaleas, rhodies) and colorful long-bloomiing
perennials (lilies--my favorite--coneflowers and who knows what else). I start most of my annuals under lights in
the basement--impatiens in February, petunias in early march, pansies and geraniums in early January, and zinnias
in April. Usually buy the plants for our many planters so I can have a nice variety. Will be on the garden tour this
year, so I hope my perennials made it through our very harsh winter.