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Her garden still includes prairie

favorites, such as coneflower, black-

eyed Susan, and New England aster, but

they’re joined by sedum, Russian sage,

and, yes, even some ornamental grasses.

Each year, she divides plants to keep

clumps from getting too large. She

transplants the divisions to add color to

other areas that need it or to enhance

the repetition of form and texture. To

extend the color show she loves, Lark

uses a clever trick: In May and June, she

pinches back half of each clump of

summer- and fall-blooming perennials

so the cut-back portion will flower later

than the rest of the plant—keeping her

border in bloom from May until frost.

“I never thought I’d become so

passionate about perennial gardening,”

she says. “Every year I learn a little

more, and every year it makes me

happier and happier. I’ve learned that

flowers make our hearts smile.” 65)

FEELING BLUE “I’m always looking for ways to add blue to the garden,”

explains Lark,

above

, with husband David. She does this not only by using

plants with blue flowers and foliage but also with salvaged objects— for

example, bottles and dishes, top—that create glittering highlights. Though

Lark relies mainly on perennials for color, she doesn’t hesitate to use

annuals to reinforce the bright hues.

Opposite,

she slips a container of

alternanthera and coleus into an old chair— painted blue, of course.

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BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

SEPTEMBER 2010 1 0 7