Basic Perennial Garden Care

Perennial gardens are a wonderful addition to any yard! Below are a few basic tips for maintaining and enjoying
your perennial garden!

In the Spring

Don`t uncover flowerbeds too early. Spring is the time of season many plants are lost due to a late frost. Keep your mulch or cover nearby incase you may need to recover your plants. Once it`s “safe” to uncover, clean up your garden as best you can by raking up leaves and cutting plants back (if this wasn`t done in the fall). This will help keep the chance of disease and virus down It`s a good idea to use mulch during the season. It helps to controls weeds and, in the fall, gives winter protection to plants. Absorbs water that the plants can later leach from it. Fertilizing should be done once the frost is out of the ground and plants have started growing above the ground and continued through the growing season, ending in late July.

In the Summer

Deadheading spent flower heads will encourage a bushier plant and more flower buds. When purchasing potted perennials, remember just because it is flowering at the time of purchase does not mean that it will flower the same time next season. When planting, follow the recommended spacing. If correct spacing is not done, division of the plants will have to be done later than if plants are crammed together. Proper spacing also helps to increase circulation, which helps to prevent fungus and disease.

Mixing it up

Perennials, shrubs, annuals, and even rocks look great together. Don`t be afraid to mix all types of plants. Shrubs provide structure all year, perennials add interest with their foliage and blooms, and annuals add color until late fall.

In the Fall

Don`t forget to plant bulbs such as tulips. They will add magnificent spring color to your garden when not much else is showing. Fertilizing should stop in mid July to allow plants to prepare for winter.

Over-wintering Your Garden

Mulch with Marsh Hay 6-8″ mounds over the root ball. Plants should be cut back AFTER the first hard frost. Plants such as Grasses can be left for winter interest and for wildlife.