9 Perennial Herbs (Number 5 May Surprise You)

Chicory

Chicory has vibrant blue flowers that are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. This fosters biodiversity and supports the local ecosystem - As pollinators visit its blooms, they also pollinate nearby plants, enhancing the overall fertility and productivity of the landscape. This plant is commonly known as the "blue daisy" for its attractive and round blue flowers with a petal and sepal pattern that is similar to daisies. The plant is also known to have white or pink blooms, but these examples are rare. Chicory Are Pretty and Perennial Chicory grows to 5 feet tall, but it's most commonly about 2 feet tall. The light blue flowers form a canopy when grown close together, creating a pleasing focal point in any garden. Being blue, these flowers mesh well with other blue varieties, such as California bluebells or Northern Blue Flags. Because blue daisies are lighter in color, you can ring them around any flowers of darker blue to create a visual transition to flowers of other colors. The Leaves Of The Chicory These flowers have different leaves based on how old they are. In their first season, leaves form at the base of the stems. These attractive, curly leaves can grow to about a foot long and create a separate focal point for the blue flowers. During their second season or any following season, the leaves are smaller and grow further up the stems instead. Unlike many other plants, blue daisies lack petioles, so the leaves seem to clasp the stem lovingly, which creates a sweet effect. The Blooms Of The Chicory The flowers of this plant only last one day, but the plant grows new flowers every day throughout the spring and summer. The flower buds generally open at or shortly after dawn, and by sunset, the flowers are closing again as new ones prepare to open the next day. It's possible to take time-lapse photos or videos of these flowers and see them "wink" throughout the day. This charming phenomenon is not unique to blue daisies, but they are particularly noteworthy among these flowers. Chicory Are Good for the Environment Even though their blooms only last a day or so each, they are still an important source of nectar for pollinators like the bumblebee and certain species of butterfly. Generally, these insects will begin to flock to a cluster of blue daisies in the early afternoon. These plants are quite hardy, too, so in addition to being good-looking, they prevent soil leaching and erosion and contribute to the health of any garden.

Dandelion Plant

Dandelion perennials have bright yellow, disk-like flowers atop slender, green stems with jagged-edged leaves that form a rosette at the base. While it is often considered a weed due to its rapid growth and ability to spread, it possesses several characteristics that can benefit landscaping. Add a Pop of Yellow to Your Yard with Dandelion Plant Blossoms Dandelion plants can reach a height of eight to 12 inches and have a rosette of leaves around a deep taproot. The leaves are sleek and feature acute indentations without any visible hairs. They have lance-, rectangular- or spatula-shaped foliage and flower heads covered with ray petals. Their blooms, which can grow up to two inches long, are a single shade of yellow and sit on a sturdy, hollow stem. Even though they bloom from April through September, they're most noticeable in May and June. Well-established dandelion plants sometimes bloom twice, once in the spring and once in the fall.  Improve Soil Quality and Erosion With The Dandelion Plant They have roots that spread really wide. This loosens hard-packed soil and increases aeration, making it healthier. Their roots extract calcium and potassium from the earth, making these vital nutrients available to nearby plants. And because their roots also have the ability to hold the soil together, these plants help prevent erosion. Fertilize Your Grass With The Dandelion Plant The dead foliage adds organic matter to the soil and provides essential nutrients for grass to grow strong and green. The wind-aided seed distribution and cross-pollination capabilities of them also make them useful for fertilizing grass. About nine to 15 days after the yellow flowers appear, they open up to reveal a white puffball, also known as a fuzzy pappus. The wind carries bits of the fuzzy pappus, which contains seeds, as part of the plants' reproduction process. Hummingbirds, in particular, like these fuzzy seeds and use them to build nests. Enjoy Better Pest Control With The Dandelion Plant In early spring, many kinds of pollinators rely on them for their nectar. While some of them can yield as many as 400 seeds, the typical yield is 180. Pollinators like ladybugs, honeybees, and moths play a key role in pest control by eating, weakening, and killing garden pests.