1.   New herbaceous perennials planted now will put on plenty of root growth before winter, giving a better display next year.

2.   It tries to carry a comprehensive listing of the best new perennials, with a specialization in rock garden plants and unusual clematis vines.

3.   Plant new perennials and divide and transplant existing ones.

4.   The city of Brockton has frequent watering bans, so Hickey irrigates new perennials with rainwater collected in a barrel.

5.   The garden supervisor, Eileen Calvanese, said that a bucketful went into the hole with every new perennial or shrub.