Perennials are amazing plants in that they die back to the ground each fall, but reappear in the spring to grace us with renewed beauty. Many people are finding that perennials are an interesting and fun way to add color to the garden and the landscape.
Most perennials don’t flower as long as annuals. In order to get season long color from perennials a combination of varieties with different bloom times are planted together. As spring progresses into summer and fall, so does the progression of color, heights, textures and fragrances. This is the fun of perennials- each day offers new surprises.
Planting your perennials. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the pot the perennial is in but to the same depth. Remove the pot and place the perennial in the hole. Backfill with the previous removed soil. Organic fertilizers such as Milorganite or Blood Meal can be added at this time. Water well. Place an organic mulch such as shredded wood chips around the perennials to help keep them moist and to help with weed problems. Keep the plant well watered by watering at least once a week once established. Two or more waterings a week may be needed during establishment and high temperature periods.
Fertilizing your perennials. In the early spring as soon as new growth begins to appear you may begin feeding your perennials. Preen n Green works well to help prevent seed germination and to feed your perennials at the same time. This however should not be used around perennials that are self-seeding. Bayer Systemic Rose & Flower also works very well around perennials for a long consistent feed and provides a degree of insect control. Osmocote and Greenview 10-10-10 may also be used for a slow feeding fertilizer. Feeding your perennials with the above slow release fertilizers should occur up to 3 times a growing season. Supplemental feeding can also be done during high bloom periods with Jack’s Bloom Booster, a quality water-soluble plant food.
Caring for your perennials. Deadheading or removal of the spent blooms will often give you longer blooming periods. Simply pinch or cut off the old flowers. This technique also keeps your garden looking clean and neat. Shearing back perennials (1/2 to 1/3 their original size) if they become too leggy after blooming this will result in neat, bushy plants. Some varieties will even rebloom with this technique, especially early spring bloomers. Fall cleanup can be done after the first killing frost. Simply cut back the dead foliage to keep your bed looking clean for next years display. If you desire, foliage can be left on through winter months for extra protection and cleaned off in early spring. Always make sure to water all your perennials well before winter. Some perennials are known to be “tender” in our zone 4 environments. These tender perennials may require an extra 4 to 8 inches of organic matter around the base during winter months. Examples of tender perennials are Hibiscus and Butterfly Bush.
Pests on your perennials. Most perennials are relatively pest free. If problems should occur, contact your local garden center professionals for the proper cultural and/or chemical control measures.
Shamrock Nursery Inc. carries one of the greatest selections of perennials in the area. Below are listed some the perennials that we carry in alphabetical order by their scientific names. Come visit our nursery and check out the vast array of varieties of each perennial that we have in stock.