Last year I joined theNational Gardening club. One ofthe benefits of membership was a subscription to their Gardening How-To magazine. It's a great magazine and I read it cover-to-cover when it arrived every other month. Unfortunately, for other reasons, I decided not to renew my membership, but I will miss the magazine.
It was in the first issue I received last year that I read about about the Perennial Plant Association and their pick for Perennial of the Year. I was delighted to discover that it was a purple flowering plant called Catmint, because I had just purchased two.
So I was again pleased this year to read the the 2008 Perennial of the Year is the Geranium "Rozanne." Remember, I had ordered a perennial geranium mix from Breck's a few months ago? Well, one of them was the Rozanne. Pictured here, the plant was chosen for its vibrant 2 1/2-inch violet-blue flowers, long bloom time, attractive deep green foliage, lack of pest or disease problems, and low maintenance. Just what I was looking for when I purchased it. As you can see here, it's doing very well in my garden, along with the other geranium varieties it came with.
Here's more about this versatile plant: It's hardy in Zones 5-8, grows 18-20 inches tall and 24-28 inches wide, has mounded deep green foliage that turns red in the fall and grows best in sun to partial shade. It can also tolerate summer heat when given ample moisture, will bloom continuously from late spring to frost (shear plants to 3 inches to rejuvenate), attracts butterflies and is resistant to deer and rabbits and is a good companion for both early and late blooming plants. And, if all that weren't enough, the Rozanne is great in front of garden beds or borders, but also makes an excellent ground cover or container plant.
And getting back to last year's winner -- Catmint. I purchased two quart-sized plants last year at Glick's and here's a recent photo of how much it has grown this year. And this photo is just ONE of the plants. It's 2-ft. tall and just as wide. It's come back fantastic this year, I only hope I have this good luck next year with the geraniums.

And speaking of Glick's, I was there yesterday (yes, I know, it's an addiction), and they still have plenty of plants left, all on sale, many half-off.
Also, today and tomorrow the Oley Valley Perennials sale is still on, and they're right on the way to Glick's. I blogged about this great sale about two weeks ago. You can check the archives for directions. Their address is 675 Covered Bridge Road, Oley.

And if you're looking for something different to do Saturday, from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. you can check out "William the Gardener" at historic Pottsgrove Manor off King Street in Pottstown. Costumed Living Historians will discuss the uses of period plants for fabric dyes, food and period decorations and perhaps arrange some flowers while having tea. Weather permitting. Admission is free.

Have a great weekend and try to stay cool!! Remember, no planting in the high sun or afternoon heat, wait till the sun goes down. I don't even recommend early morning planting, because then the distressed plants have to suffer the extreme heat of the day. Best to wait till early evening.