Planting Perfect Perennials
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What’s A Perennial Anyway?
In the gardening game, herbaceous perennials (to use their full name,) are defined as those plants that live for several years, surviving the winter as underground roots, stems or bulbs while the foliage and flowers die to the ground each year. There are huge books that list the names and features of the thousands of plants that are used as perennials in our gardens and I have neither the time nor the space to do a definitive look at them on these pages. I’ll give you an overview of their use and a look at some of the most widely used and, of course, let you know what my favourites are.
Why Would I Plant Them?
You plant them for the excitement. Each day I walk out of the house and the containers of annuals are filled with whatever colour I chose for them this year. That is their job. Constant splashes of colour. I reach the perennial beds and search with great anticipation to see what is new and different since I looked there yesterday. From the first Snowdrop in the spring to the succulent Sedum in the autumn, every day brings new excitement. It’s not just when they bloom but as each new plant emerges from the soil, it reminds you, that it is still there and will soon be dazzling us with its blooms. You look between the Daffodil blooms to see the deep red leaves of the Peonies unfolding and the fresh green swords of Iris fans stabbing toward the sun and as always, playing the tease, the late arrival of the lily clusters.
What Should I Plant?
Plant what you like; is the easy answer but not very helpful. There are so many different perennials that it’s impossible to answer that question directly. Consider a few factors. How big is your garden? (That’s never going to be big enough.) Is it in the sun or the shade? Are there times of the gardening season that you are usually away on vacation? There is little point in nurturing a lovely perennial if its bloom time coincides with your vacation. How can I choose enough variety so that something is in bloom during most of the gardening season?
A good perennial bed takes some research and planning to ensure that constant parade of bloom and a pleasing mixture of sizes and textures. You can always take the haphazard approach and just find a plant whose picture appeals to you, bring it home and stick it in and see what develops. Even the most careful of planners find themselves standing in the middle of their garden with a new pot that called their name as they walked past it and now we have to decide where to put it.
How Much Work Is It?No gardening is work. It’s all just fun and therapeutic. You really want to know , just how much fun will a perennial bed take. Obviously, the establishment of a new bed takes some effort. The plants are going to be there for several years so creating good soil in the beginning is essential. The following years are a matter of trying to find space for the new perennial you just discovered, controlling weeds, (mulch is wonderful,) and digging and renewing your perennials when needed. That process is a whole story unto itself but two of my favourites, Iris (left picture,) and Peony (right picture,) illustrate the range. The Iris do best when dug up and divided every 3 - 5 years while a good Peony clump will happily stay in place and bloom well for 20+ years.
Plan - Prepare - Purchase - Plant
Then enjoy the unfolding excitement for years to come.
Wonderful Perennials
Epimedium, delightful and delicate for dry shady locations
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