There are a couple of good reasons we don't usually start perennial flowers from seed. First, it can take a year or two before you actually see any flowers. In fact, for the first year you’ll probably have a small and unimpressive plant altogether. Secondly and more important, most of the dazzling perennials we see on display at nurseries are actually hybrids crosses, whose seeds aren’t available. But there are plenty of wonderful perennial plants you can grow from seed , like salvias, columbines and the balloon flower at right. And if you start them in the late summer and let them over winter, you should have a second year plant next season that is ready to bloom. Amanda Switzer gives us the fine points of starting perennial plants from seed, in this video.

Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2008) licensed to About.com, Inc.

Trying to list the top 10 best things about summer would be impossible, but fresh basil would certainly make the list. There is no substitute for the aroma and the minty lemon tang of basil fresh from your garden. Basil is a heat lover, but other than that, basil is ridiculously easy to grow. Give basil some sun and good soil and you can pick leaves daily all summer long. I hope you remembered to put some in your vegetable garden this spring. If not, run to your local farmer’s market and make plans for growing basil in next year’s garden.