Question
I WISH TO PUT IN PERENNIALS THIS FALL.  I LIVE IN NORTHERN SOUTH CAROILNA.  THE SOIL HERE IS MORE CLAY THAN DIRT.  I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FLOWERS WHICH BEAR PURPLE AND BLUE FLOWERS AND ALSO ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES.  I HAVE TWO DIFFERENT AREAS.  ONE AREA IS EXPOSED TO ALOT OF SUN.  THE OTHER IS PARTLY SUNNY AND MAINLY SHADY.

ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON DIRT, CHOICES OF PLANTS?  LOW MAINTENANCE PLEASE!  THANKS SO MUCH, BARB

Answer
Here is my soil mixture that is sure to bring success:

Good Soil Mixture:

  If you do this when you begin your garden area you won't have to add stuff every year. I just use a shovel and turn the clear areas around the plants  each year and add Millorganite and compost, if I have any ready.
    Now would also be a great time to prepare the new bed's soil.  My rule of thumb is that 80% of your success as a gardener is the soil preparation and care!!  Here is my sure fire mixture:

 For every 10' x 10' area add:

4 bags of good topsoil
4 bags of compost (from compost w/o weeds thrown in)
2 bags sand (depending on your soil type)
1 bag Millorganite
2 bags cedar or cypress mulch-the smaller the chips, the better
2 bags pellet gypsum (for aeration)

Rototill this mixture into the ground and rototill about 1 foot in depth or more if you can.

This mixture is the best I have formulated and I have GREAT success with it.  I always have a bunch of it premixed so when I transplant I can have that area primed!  This stuff is like butter if you till it enough and put in the right stuff!

MILLORGANITE can be purchased at all the nurseries in town (about $10 a bag.  It is organic and will not harm pets of you!  You can put it on the lawn in the spring and again in the fall and all your glowers and vegetables.

PLANTS-partial and full shade:
Even though these plants say they are for only sunny areas-I have had good luck with these in shadier areas.

Not even a question about the spring flowering:

Partial sun and shade-Spring:
Crocus
Grape hyacinth
Coral Bells-green leafed
Candytuft
Spiderwort
mints-keep cut to a manageable area
Lilies of the Valley-these will spread-start out sparingly
Elephant ears-green or black-these are HUGE and need to be
dug out for winter and stored properly.
Caladium-Very colorful and need to be dug out for
winter and stored properly.



And on into summer flowering:
Coral Bells-red leafed
hosta-and they do flower! there are now 228 different
varieties--Magnificent!! Look on web for varieties.
Lady's Mantle
Lungwort
Mountain bluebells
Cranesbills
Summer phlox (the tall ones)
Bee balm (spreads wildly)
Purple sage

You may want to go to your library or book store for books on shade gardening.
Go get your hands dirty!!

For other plants here are some sites to browse:

http://www.garden.org/

http://www.gardenweb.com/

http://www.gardenweb.com/vl/

Happy Gardening!

Sijka