Thinking of growing a perennial garden? Interest in perennial gardens has been on the increase, along with decks, patios and outdoor entertainment.
Usually the objective is to minimize yard maintenance while still having a pleasant outdoor environment. But before you convert your garden space or build a new perennial bed, you need to understand the nature of perennials.
A perennial is an herbaceous plant (not woody) that survives over the winter to continue growing and blooming.
Usually the top dies down and it is the root that survives. The occasional exception, like Bergenia, has evergreen leaves that also survive the winter.
Some plants sold as perennials may actually be biennials. A biennial only lives for two years, usually not blooming until the second year.
True perennials may be short lived, dying off after four or five years, while some, such as the peony, can beautify your garden for decades.
Very few perennials bloom all or most of the summer. They have a consistent specific bloom period such as spring, summer or late summer into fall.
With these characteristics in mind it is important to plan your perennial bed so that something is in bloom at all times.
Another consideration is the foliage. Even when not in bloom the leaves add interest if they are variegated or coloured, or have distinctive texture such as delicate and ferny, or large and bold.
Now that you have decided to have a perennial garden, you need to prepare the site. You do not expect to disturb the earth on a regular basis because hopefully the same plants will come up year after year.
You want a deep rich loamy soil with some manure or compost worked in. Research the perennials that interest you to see if they are hardy here. That information is usually best obtained by looking at other people’s gardens and asking questions.
Descriptions of hardiness are often not very accurate; an Ontario site may list a plant as “hardy” that would not survive the winter here because they have a milder climate. You can find Canadian plant hardiness information at www.planthardiness.gc.ca.
Perennials in pots or divisions from a neighbour’s garden can be planted any time until late fall.
Beware of “garden thugs,” plants that will attempt to take over the entire garden. Plant tags and catalogues will not inform you that the plant is a garden thug. If the neighbour has a problem controlling it you don’t want it. My next article will suggest well-behaved perennials for our area.
Horticulturalist Mary Wright has lived in Denare Beach for more than 30 years. She will be sharing her passion for gardening with Flin Flon readers every second Wednesday in The Reminder.
