Perennials

Plant perennials to have more beauty with less work! Perennials are plants that come back every year. Perennials often require less maintenance than some annual flowers. Once established, they generally require less water than annuals and often have fewer pest problems.

Perennial Gardens may serve as borders along a fence or property line. Locate a perennial garden against a background such as a fence, wall, shrubs or evergreens. Plants of varying height add interest to a perennial garden. The basic rule is to keep taller plants at the back, mid-height plants in the center and low, mounded or spreading plants at the front. The most satisfying gardens contain plants with a variety of shapes, textures and colors.

It is important to know the conditions of your garden-- consider the amount of sun, wind & water and soil type. Knowing your garden conditions will help you select the proper plants. Selecting your perennials is really a personal choice, but don’t forget the non flowering perennials like ornamental grasses that add great texture and bulk to a perennial planting. Plus, many grasses look good in the landscape all through winter.

Containers

Don't rule out planting perennials in containers. Try combining several different kinds of perennials in a single large container and try grouping multiple containers together in one area.

Planting Perennials

Dig the holes a little bigger than the pot size you are planting. Carefully remove the plant from the pot by spreading your hand over the top of the pot and turn the pot upside down. Gently tap the plant to loosen it from the pot and pull the pot away. If the roots are tightly packed, loosen them with your fingers to encourage them to spread.

Place the plant in the hole so the crown of the plant (where the plant meets the soil) is at the same depth it was in the pot. If plants are placed too low in the ground, they may not bloom and are likely to rot. If placed too high, they dry out easily. Fan out the loosened roots and refill the hole with soil.

Water well immediately after planting. Many new perennials die because they get too much or too little water. Watch new plantings closely and keep the soil moist but not soaking wet for the first couple of weeks so roots get established quickly. For the next two weeks, water when the soil 2 inches below the surface is dry to the touch. After that, most perennials grow best with 1 inch of water per week. Any combination of natural rainfall and irrigation is fine.