Introduction to Gardening With Perennials
Perennials are plants that grow, flower and produce seeds for many growing seasons. Grown for their blooms or as a trailing ground cover, perennials persist for a long time without demanding too much maintenance once they are established. Perennials are ideal for gardeners who love their pastime but do not have much time to indulge in it.

The word 'perennial' is a Latin term meaning perpetual. They are of two kinds, evergreen and herbaceous. Evergreens stay green and bloom in winter, while herbaceous perennials die in winter and grow again in spring time. Rock gardens, banks of streams and ponds, beds and borders in gardens can be planted with perennials. Nature has an incredible array of perennials suited for all climates, in phenomenal colors, under varying light conditions, and in sizes ranging from tall, medium to dwarf. Examples of popular perennials are Bellflowers, Chrysanthemums, Columbines, Coral bells, Delphiniums, Irises, Pinks, Phlox, Poppies, Primroses and Spread wells.

Designing a Perennial Garden

A heavenly-looking perennial garden can be planned very well by focusing on a few basics.

The primary factor to consider is the location of the perennial - whether in the sun or in the shade. A good range of full sun perennials to choose from are Asters, Dianthus, Helianthus, Irises, Hemerocallis, Verbena, the Paeonia and Lavender. Partial shade loving perennials are the Astilbe, Digitalis, Dicentra, Geranium Pinks and the Rose Scablosa, to name a few. Some examples of full shade loving perennials are the Asarum, Colchium, Hosta, Phlox Stolonifera, and the Tricyrtis.
Growing tips

Growing perennials initially requires time, effort and patience since they get established and start flowering only in about a year or two. Perennials can be grown from seeds but it is easier to buy young plants as the latter get established quicker. It also makes designing and planting the perennial garden much easier. Spring is an ideal season to plant perennials.

Soil Preparations For Perennials

Soil preparation is most important while growing perennials. Weed the site thoroughly before tilling it. A couple of applications of the herbicide Roundup may be necessary to destroy heavy weeds. The next step is to ensure that the soil is well-draining especially during winter. Raising the bed, avoiding low-lying areas, or adding organic matter to the soil will ensure good drainage. Enrich the soil by adding sufficient quantities of organic manure at a good depth. This helps to aerate clayey soil and increases the nutrients and moisture content of sandy soil. Leaf compost, mushroom compost, peat moss, and ordinary compost help to improve and maintain the soil texture. Another key factor is the application of a fertilizer for new beds. Fertilizers like the 5-10-5 applied per square feet area are recommended.

Planting Perennials

The best time to transplant perennials is in spring, late summer or early fall. Plants from containers should be drenched in water before planting. Dig a hole that is deep enough to hold the roots of the plant. Cover it after ensuring that the plant is sitting well and is at ground level. Pack soil around the plant, water it well and mulch the site.

Watering and Mulching Perennials

Perennials, when newly planted, need good amounts of water to help them root well. Soon after planting, water the plants generously. An ideal rule to follow would be an inch of water every week. Soaker hoses come in handy for watering.

Freshly planted perennial beds are mulched close to 2 inches soon after planting. Keep adding mulch in spring also, and always maintain the depth of 2 inches. If the perennials have been planted late in summer or in the fall, they would need more mulch consisting of evergreen branches or straw.

Fertilizing Perennials

Fertilizer requirements are minimal for perennials.

Growing Period for Perennials

During growth, tall perennials and tall-stemmed flowers can be kept erect by staking them. For instance, the Peony stoops when over laden with huge blossoms. It can be kept straight by using a wire peony loop on the plant. If plants are pinched in late spring, they will become more bushy than tall. The height of perennials can be contained in this manner.

Propagation of Perennials

Perennials can be propagated by division in the fall or in spring. Dividing promotes the wellbeing of the plant. Perennials can be divided every two to four years. Examples are the Poppy and the Iris.

Fall and winter care is important for perennials. It is better to leave most perennials as they are without cutting them down. They have their uses for birds as sources of food and hiding in winter. The foliage keeps the crown protected from cold. If the foliage has to be cut, do not snip it too close to the ground as the crown could be damaged.

The popular English adage, "the first year sleeps, second year creeps, and third year leaps" encapsulates the job of nurturing perennials. But it's the end of the trail that's worth waiting for.

If you like Perennial Flowers....These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory