THE GOOD STUFF 2010

Effingers has been growing and selling perennials for more than 25 years. It's taken us almost that long to realize that the flashy new perennials, featured in the glossy Sunday advertisements, are not always the best for us. Southern Illinois has brutal extremes in temperature and humidity, variable rainfall and unpredictable winters with deadly ice.

To simplify perennial gardening, we've developed a branding program based on our customers requests. Often we are asked about easy to grow, long blooming perennials. Other folks have sun or shade situations. Hummingbird and butterfly gardening is increasingly popular. And plant collectors are always interested in "what's new."

Here are popular categories of perennials that we've chosen as the best for our area. You will find these programs grouped and labeled here at the garden center this spring. New this year is 'Great Grasses'.  Attractive ornamental and native grasses are low maintenance and provide food and cover for wildlife.