Where can I buy some good perennials?

I've never seriously gardened in my life but it seems as though our house looks quite underwhelming in comparison to the neighbours on our street. Everything I planted last year (perennials according to Home Depot) has died it seems. I was hoping someone could give me some advice on some easy maintenance plants that I'll manage to keep alive. I'd like something with a bit of colour to match the rest of the street. We have some amazing gardeners and they've planted all sorts of beautiful flowers and shrubs and what not so I'd like our house to look somewhat spring/summer-like this year. Thank you!

PS - any tips of soil/mulch, tools and all the stuff that I need would be appreciated (we used mulch last year but whenever we cut the front lawn the grass would mix in with the mulch and it's a pain to get out)

Oh first time gardening can be maddening! :shock: LOL
But don't give up, you live and learn as you go. It is though very upsetting when a costly perrienal dies!
I like hosta's they seem to be able to grow no problem.
Check the garden listing of your local kijiji to see if anyone in your area is selling plants. I also have seen ads in the newspaper for some local nurseries and their sales.
Oh and check this gardening forum they have a Canadian plant and seed exchange page! http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/excan/

It also depends on where you are planting, ie what type of conditions, sun, shady, etc. As well as your level of expertise.
Find a reputable nursery or garden centre and then ask them what they recommend for your house and how much time you want to spend on maintaining.
Home depot and other such stores, staff won't be able to provide you with that good information.
I have had luck with peonys, hydrangeas, spirea, lilies, iris, hostas, phlox, yarrow. All of these plants can get quite big, except for the phlox. You may need to use other plants depending on your region.
I have been told that bleeding hearts, thrive in most conditions and that you can't really kill it. Well I have tried and tried to grow those things and can't! I finally gave up, then my son bought my one for mothers day, so here we go again.
Hope this helps some.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by itsmewhoelse

Oh first time gardening can be maddening! :shock: LOL
But don't give up, you live and learn as you go. It is though very upsetting when a costly perrienal dies!
I like hosta's they seem to be able to grow no problem.
Check the garden listing of your local kijiji to see if anyone in your area is selling plants. I also have seen ads in the newspaper for some local nurseries and their sales.
Oh and check this gardening forum they have a Canadian plant and seed exchange page! http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/excan/

It also depends on where you are planting, ie what type of conditions, sun, shady, etc. As well as your level of expertise.
Find a reputable nursery or garden centre and then ask them what they recommend for your house and how much time you want to spend on maintaining.
Home depot and other such stores, staff won't be able to provide you with that good information.
I have had luck with peonys, hydrangeas, spirea, lilies, iris, hostas, phlox, yarrow. All of these plants can get quite big, except for the phlox. You may need to use other plants depending on your region.
I have been told that bleeding hearts, thrive in most conditions and that you can't really kill it. Well I have tried and tried to grow those things and can't! I finally gave up, then my son bought my one for mothers day, so here we go again.
Hope this helps some.

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WOW! Thank you so so so much! I'm going to have to google all of those plants you've mentioned; I don't even know what they look like. I think you're right about going to a nursery. I'm pretty bummed about my Home Depot experience LOL. I'm going to make a list of the ones you've mentioned and hopefully the people at the nursery can tell me which would be best for my garden. Thanks again :D I really appreciate it!