Perennials: Planting and General Care
SOIL PREPARATION
Once you have chosen the right plants for the right locations the only thing left to do is plant them! First, you should check the soil to see if it needs to be any amendments. Perennials generally require a loamy well-drained soil for good growth. Humus (organic matter) can be added to improve soil texture, provide nutrients and help maintain soil moisture. Organic matter in the form of compost, peat, or dehydrated manure is beneficial to most herbaceous plants. Soil preparation is important to do BEFORE you plant. Otherwise it becomes very difficult once plants are established.
To prepare soil:
- Loosen the soil at least 18” deep
- Work 4-6” of humus into the top layers of soil by digging or tilling
- Check soil pH – most plants prefer a slightly acidic soil of 6.0-6.5
WHEN TO PLANT
Container grown perennials can be planted at any time during the growing season. For fall planting, try to plant them early enough (late August-September) for roots to get established before winter. Also, it is best to avoid planting in the heat of the summer – early morning or evening is best. Mulch can help conserve moisture in summer and insulate roots from extreme temperature fluctuations in winter. For spring planting, avoid soggy or cold soil because this can damage soil structure.
HOW TO PLANT
Carefully remove the container from the root ball of the plant. Inspect roots – if they are encircled from the container, gently loosen them to encourage lateral growth. If the roots are in a dense mat, consider cutting off the bottom an 1” or so. This will stimulate new root growth into the surrounding soil, and will establish more quickly. If the roots are seriously disturbed when planted, consider cutting back some of the foliage to reduce water stress. The lack of roots will prevent water from properly being absorbed by the plant. Be sure to plant at the same soil level as it was in the container.
WATERING
New plantings need to be carefully monitored for water. Checking the first 3-4” of soil will help determine if plants need to be watered. Over-watered and dry plants produce the same ‘wilted’ effect. So be sure you are doing the right type of watering. If watering by hand, make sure that it is done in the morning to prevent fungus problems.
FERTILIZING
Soil preparation is the best way to feed your perennials. However, a light application of 5-10-5 is useful in spring for a boost. An application in mid to late summer is helpful if the soil is poor or if spring is exceptionally wet. Do not feed to late so plants have a chance to harden off for winter.
PLANT DIVISION
While some perennials may never need to be divided, most will benefit from being lifted and divided every few years. Reasons for dividing plants include die-out in the center, decreased flowering, or the plant has grown too large for the space.