Perennials, plants which live for more than two seasons and produce flowers which die back to the ground each fall, are treasured for their ability to bloom and grow larger year after year. They’re are also prized for vibrant colors and their ability to attract birds and other wildlife to the garden. While perennials are easy to grow, there are a few basic maintenance guidelines to follow which will help your garden flourish. The following lists seasonal perennial garden maintenance tasks.
Spring
Begin the season by removing any leaves which have collected over the winter and cutting back the flowers which were left standing the previous fall. Be sure to tread and rake lightly, you don’t want to crush any new shoots. Use a general slow release garden fertilizer and lime to give the garden a head start and to feed the garden all season long. Spreading compost throughout the perennial garden each spring improves soil consistency and increases organic matter.
Summer
As the blooms go by be sure to deadhead (the pruning off of spent flowers), this encourages some new blooms in perennials and will keep the garden looking fresh all season. Cultivating the garden soil is also important as it keeps weeds from taking hold and allows water and nutrients to penetrate the surface.
Towards mid-summer the taller plants may begin to lean or fall as they become top heavy, especially after a rain storm. Staking the plants is important. It keeps them from falling into one another and reduces the chances of disease.
Fall
Deadheading and the other summer tasks should be continued through the fall. Late in the season, however, perennials will begin fade and eventually their foliage dies back to the ground until spring. Cutting back the plants that have gone by is generally done for aesthetic reasons.
Dividing perennials is best done in the fall. Over time perennials will begin to outgrow their spot in the garden. Dividing these perennials solves the problem of over crowding in the garden. It also provides you with new plants to add to other gardens. If you don’t have space for any new plants, give some to your friends. To divide a perennial, simply dig the plant out of the ground. Preserve as much of the root system as possible. Take a spade divide the perennial in half. Replace the perennial back in the ground and back fill with a mix of compost and existing soil.
There perennials for every garden. Ideally, a perennial garden will provide colorful flowers from spring until fall so when designing your garden be sure to choose a mix of early, mid-summer and late bloomers. While most prefer part shade, there are those which require full sun and those which thrive in the deep shade. Observe the existing conditions of your own garden to choose the proper plants. Planted properly, perennials will provide years of gardening enjoyment
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