Perennials are great flowers to plant because they live many years and offer an endless variety of plant heights, shapes and flower colors. However most perennials stay in bloom only three to six weeks. To keep color and life in your garden longer, it is best to mix annuals along with perennials in a flowerbed for ongoing seasonal color.

Definition of Perennials

Perennials are plants that normally live for several growing seasons. Perennials are normally hardy plants, most of which die down to the ground each year and survive the winter on food stored in underground stems and return the next year.

Choosing the Right Perennials

Before selecting your perennials, consider which species work best in your environment.

The Basics of Planting Perennials

To ensure your perennials flourish for many years, plant them properly in well-drained, well-prepared soil. The following tips will help ensure your success.

Drainage

Most perennials demand good drainage. Avoid spots that are overly wet, especially in the winter. To help your soil breathe and drain properly, add organic soil amendments (i.e. compost, peat moss, planting mix) throughout the entire bed at planting. For best results, work a two to three-inch layer of amendments into the top eight inches of soil.

Plant Depth

Planting your perennials too deep will cause the plant to rot, so it is important to plant at the proper depth. As a general rule, you should avoid burying the crown (the point at the base of the plant where the stems arise). To set potted plants at a proper depth, dig a hole deep enough so that the top of your transplant's root ball is level with, or just above the surface of the ground. For species started from dormant crowns, bulbs or tubers, follow directions on the package.

Watering:

To encourage deep rooting, it is best to water thoroughly in the first few weeks of planting. After a few weeks of regular watering, perennials should be well established and only require watering during periods of dry weather. But remember, watering needs vary depending on your soil.

• Plants in poor, sandy soils should be watered once a day in hot, dry weather while plants are still rooting.
• Plants in clay soil should be watered every second or third day.

As a general rule, it is best to apply one inch of water each time you water.

Protecting Perennials Against Insects:

You can protect perennials against recurring pests such as Japanese beetles by applying Bayer Advanced™ products just before the beetles usually appear. Bayer Advanced™ 2-in-1 Systemic Rose & Flower Care Granules continues to protect the plants from 2 to 6 weeks after applying. Use this preventative strategy to help prevent damage from beetles, aphids, leafhoppers, and other pests that often disfigure perennial plants and flowers.

Mulch:

To reduce weeds and conserve moisture around your perennials in the summer, use one to two inches of bark or pine needles as organic mulch. But be careful not to pile mulch on the crowns. This can cause rot, especially in clay soil. It is best to renew your mulch in the fall to protect your plants from the alternate freezing and thawing of the ground.