Basics of Perennial Gardening

1. Basics of Perennial Gardening Wyandotte County Kansas State Research & Extension

2. Perennials Perennial • Are plants that grow for more than one growing season • The foliage dies during the winter, although the roots remain alive to produce a new plant that flowers the next year

3. Perennials • Biennials require 2 growing seasons to complete their life cycle – Year 1 they are vegetative; Year 2 they produce flowers, set seed & die.

4. Perennial Garden Preparation Site Selection • Well drained soil • Sun exposure - full sun (six hours of sun) - part sun (four to six hours sun) - shade (no direct sunlight) - part shade (less than four hours of sun) • Soil texture – Wyandotte County Clay? • Special features - accents (fountains, patio, bench etc)

5. Perennial Garden Preparation Prepare the soil • Soil test • Start with a clean bed – remove weeds before planting • Organic matter – incorporate to at least six to eight inches • Edging beds – steel, rubber, stone, or natural materials

6. When and What to Plant • Select the right plants for the right place - plant hardiness – Zones 5 & 6 - sun exposure - water requirements - plant height/width - bloom period and color • Plant as early as possible • Use larger plants - gallon size or larger will give faster results • Space appropriately

7. “First year it sleeps, second year it creeps, third year it leaps.”

8. Planting • Dig a hole the same depth as container • Remove plants from the container • Butterfly or separate the root ball • Place the plant in the hole and lightly pack the soil around the plant with the same soil that was removed from the hole • Water gently and slowly

9. Mail Order Perennials • Remove the plant from its package, and carefully remove all loose packing material (peat moss and sawdust are commonly used).  • Soak the roots in a bucket of water for 5 to 10 minutes.  • Examine the root system, and trim away any rotted, moldy, broken or elongated roots with a sharp knife of your pruning shears. 

10. Watering • Water thoroughly and frequently during establishment (3-4 weeks) • Water deeply, weekly to maintain adequate moisture (1”/wk)

11. Fertilizing • Incorporate a slow release fertilizer at the time of planting • Top dress with slow release at planting • Liquid feed – more labor intensive; must do every two weeks • Fertilize established perennials in the spring and fall (after dormant)

12. Weed Control - Preemergent • Treflan - sold as Preen, Miracle Grow Weed Preventer and Monteray Vegetable and Ornamental Weeder • Dacthal - sold as Gordon’s Garden Weed Preventer Granuals • Re-apply every 3 months • Bed must be weed free before application (only prevents weeds)

13. Mulch • Organic (wood chips, pine needles, etc.) mulches are preferred – no fabric is placed underneath the mulch • Bio-degrade in one year • Can be tilled in for organic matter • Benefits: - Prevents soil temperature fluctuation - Conserves moisture - Weed inhibitor - Erosion control

14. Perennial Maintenance • Many perennials spend their first season establishing a strong root system and then begin maximum flower production in their second and third years. • Deadheading – removing faded flowers to maintain plant vigor • Each fall, cut back spent plants, and mulch to prevent alternate freezing and thawing over winter months • Divide and replant many species on a 3-4 year cycle (iris, hosta, etc.)

15. Pest Control • Monitor plants for insects and diseases • Treat as appropriate for the pest • Best prevention is a healthy plant

16. Perennials for Kansas • Creeping or Moss Phlox (phlox subulata) • Garden or Chinese Peony (paeonia lactiflora) • Bearded or German Iris (Iris germanica) • Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea) • Tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) • Blanket Flower (Gaillardia grandiflora) • Yarrow (Achillea spp) • Daylily (Hemerocallis spp) • Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum) • Summer or Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)

17. Perennials

21. Perennials Coral Bells, Purple Columbine, Shasta Daisy, Viburnum