Proper Care and Tips for Perennials
To properly take care of perennials you must accomplish a few simple requirements. Perennials are different than annuals in that they last for several years. They grow in the same location, retrieving nutrients from the same soil, and they do this for years. It’s recommended that you develop a habit of creating deep soil preparation methods to attain healthy perennial gardens. This doubles the amount of work compared to regular soiling methods but your perennials will thank you in the future.
Remember that the foliage of perennials is constantly growing and requires a regular supply of fertilizer and water. Don’t be fooled and think that your perennial is dead in the winter time. Since perennials have no wood parts, the entire plant situates itself under the ground as roots and buds. They can also be small mat of leaves that emerges and grows the closer the season is to spring. Be sure not to disturb any of the green leaves in either winter or spring time because this is the main mechanism perennials use to survive.
Around early spring time, I divide and replant the perennials if they become too crowded. I also trim and deadhead any perennials that have dying brown colored flower heads. If you leave them like that, not only will it make your whole garden bed look unattractive and distracting, it reduces the chance of the plant increasing in size and volume. Furthermore, deadheading allows the plant to redirect its energy toward important areas such as leaf and root growth rather than the production of more seeds.
The other requirement for perennials is stalking methods. If you do not stalk new flower spikes, they will not be able to support themselves and will probably die off. Use slender tree prunings, bamboo stakes, or wire perennial supports to keep the tall perennials upright.
Pest Control
Certain perennials will be eaten by different types of pests. Deer and moose are notorious for eating everything in sight. You might have to install 9 feet high fences just to keep these scoundrels at bay. Phlox, lilies, asters, tulips, crocuses, English ivy, and daylilies are on the top menu for most animal wildlife around your area. Some plants are toxic enough to cause pain but not death to these animals. These include daffodils, hellebore, and monkshood.
Bulbs in a Perennial Garden
No, I am not talking about light bulbs from the hardware store. Bulbs are defined as any type of plant that possesses an underground storage organ. There are different types of bulbs that consist of different structures.
True Bulbs
These are made up of modified leaves that are attached to a flat basal plate. Some examples include tulips, daffodils, and lilies.
Corms
They comprise of similar aesthetic characteristics as true bulbs but the interior is dissimilar. When cut open, the corms have a solid starchy interior stem. Crocuses actually develop from corms.
Tubers
Modified stems with a similar interior starchy stem as corms, these differ primarily because they are not attached to a basal plate or tunic. Their roots and shoots develop from growth buds called eyes. Potatoes are best examples.
Rhizomes
These are comprised of thick underground stems that grow in a horizontal manner. They sprout new segments as they spread and the bearded iris is the best example of a rhizome.
Ground Cover in a Perennial Garden
Ground covers are perennial plants or mat forming shrubs that develop into a solid mat of growth. They replace lawns and garden beds. If you are thinking of adding ground cover to your home be sure not to mix a number of varieties in one area because they will spread out in an uncontrolled manner. One or two kinds of ground covers should suffice.
There are certain criteria that must be met in order for ground cover to function well. Certain requirements include:
- The ground cover should be thick enough to block out competing weeds
- The type and structure should look aesthetically pleasing for most parts of the year
- They should prevent erosion
- They should not be in consistent need of repositioning
You should not clump ground cover but position them abundantly over a wider area. Climate is another contributing factor. Ground cover in warm areas will tend to stay green all year long while ground cover in colder areas will turn brownish yellow before it dies off.