Planting Perennials
Learn all the secrets of planting these prized, low care incredible plants
A perennial is a plant that does not die after only one year of growth. Each fall the plant dies and comes back up the next spring or growing season.
Typically perennials get larger and more robust with each growing season until they reach about their 4th or 5th year. At that point, most varieties should be split so they will continue to grow and thrive.
The most notable and most recognizable perennials include Daylillies, Hosta, Iris, Chrysanthemums, Coneflowers and Peonies.
This, of course, is only the beginning. There is a huge variety of perennials available. Not only are there many species, but there are many varieties within each species.
Planting Perennials - We Love Them!
First, we view perennials, and flowers in general as a great way to go green. Plants produce oxygen, so Green Living Made Easy is all for planting.
We like planting perennials because they come back year after year, which means they save money and time.
We love that by planting perennials, they easily add a wide variety of texture, flower size, flower color, and bloom time to any garden. We have a shady yard that promotes the growth of Hosta. Because there are many sub-species, we can fill entire beds with only Hosta, while still enjoying a wide range of leaf color, size, bloom time, and flower color.
We also like that perennials can be planted very small. Because they come back year after year, you can purchase them small (or even grow them from seed), which helps to make your garden more affordable..
Planting Perennials- Consider Bare Root Plants
Also many perennials can be split or raised from seed so you can buy a limited amount and gradually expand your garden to whatever limits you desire.
You may find the gardener's treasure - volunteer shoots that self-start from seed for adjacent perennials. It's like finding a small pot of gold. We love that perennials can be shared with others.
Tell almost any gardener that you love one of their perennials, and they'll send you home with some that you can plant in your own garden.
Because they come back year after year and can often be split, many gardeners with established gardens are eager to share with others - and that's a great eco friendly way to grow your own garden or to help someone else with theirs!
Planting Perennials Short in Front, Tall in the Back
Here are some of the tasks involved with maintaining a healthy mixed perennial bed:
Planting Perennials Attract Butterflies
Another misconception is that perennials flower all year. There are certainly varies that have long bloom periods but few that flower all year.
One exception to this may be some of the Daylillies, such as the stella d-ora, which flowers profusely the first part of the summer and continues throughout the summer with a lot less blooms.
The thrill of a perennial garden is the constant variety of bloom that you get as it changes from month to month. Most varieties bloom for 2 or 3 weeks and some less.
There are a few that can bloom for up to 6 weeks, but these are rare. There are also some varieties that will bloom for a second time during the growing season, but this will not happen unless you are proactive in removing spent blossoms during the flowering seasons.
Your work will pay-off with a second bloom, and it is very rewarding. Perennial Gardening is somewhat of a trial-and-error method of gardening.
All your best made plans will be altered by finding out that several varieties do not like your yard for some small reason or another and you will see them slowly shrink away until they do not appear at all.
This is because they were not "happy" for any number of reasons from wrong about of sun, not enough or too much moisture, improper PH of the soil or maybe they don't like their neighboring plants. With these species, write them off not to use in your yard and move on to another variety.
Planting Perennials in Drifts of Color
Do your homework on plant size, flower color and bloom time.
Planting Perennials in the Shade
Most perennials tolerate a range of lighting conditions, but few tolerate for full sun to full shade. If listed as a full sun light requirements, it's not likely the plant will do very well with part shade and similarly if listed as full shade, it will not tolerate any sun.
Don't forget about mulching: Provide 3-4 inches of good clean mulch when planting perennials. This will retain moisture, keep down weeds and give much need aeration and humus to the garden.
See our section on Mulching for tips on installing and maintaining a mulch layer in your landscape and garden areas.
Springhill Nursery
Brecks
Michigan Bulb
Henry Field's Seed & Nursery
Gurney's Seed & Nursery
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