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 | Tip of the Day |
| Tip Number: 29 | Date: 2001-04-09 |
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 | Perennial maintenance tips for beginning gardeners |
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| Here are some general guidelines for maintaining perennials:
Water during drought, if possible. Early morning is the best time of day. A deep watering once a week is better than a light sprinkling every few days.
Clip back any scruffy-looking or floppy plants to promote fresh, vigorous and attractive new growth. This applies particularly to late spring and early summer bloomers like Bleedinghearts (Dicentra spectabilis), Delphiniums, Blue Salvia, Painted Daisies (Tanacetum coccineum), Cranesbill Geraniums and many others. Cutting back to 6 inches is usually safe.
Control pests and diseases as soon as noticed to avoid spreading the problem to other plants. To identify problems, take a sample to your garden center, a local botanical garden or Master Gardener's clinic. They will be able to suggest a control or solution to the problem.
Remove dead flowers to encourage repeat blooming. This task is know as "dead-heading" and takes no more than a few minutes, once a week. Plants with daisy-type flowers respond particularly well to this, and dead-heading can double the length of time plants remain in bloom. However, many perennials (Peonies for example) only flower once a year, whether you dead-head or not.
Stake tall plants like Peonies, Delphiniums, and Summer Phlox to avoid wind damage. Stake plants early, before they get more than about 2 feet tall. Bamboo stakes are fine. Many other staking products are available at garden centers. Tomato cages work well for many plants, and are inexpensive.
Prune off dead perennial tops in late winter or early spring. The choice is largely an aesthetic one, and totally yours to make. Just remember, by cutting off everything in late fall, you loose the wonderful winter effect that ornamental grasses and certain other perennials can provide.
Divide perennials when the center of the plant begins to die out with age. Most perennials begin from a centre point and gradually grow out like a doughnut, leaving an empty space in the middle. When this begins to happen, it's a sign the plant should be divided.
My rule of thumb: divide spring and early-summer blooming perennials in the fall. Divide late summer and fall-blooming perennials in the spring. Peonies and true Lilies should only be divided or moved in fall. Bearded Iris and Oriental Poppies prefer to be moved in early August.
Our Heritage online perennial search can help you to learn about any special things that should be done to the specific plants in your garden. |
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