Even if you have a black thumb, you can learn how to begin a perennial flower garden that will give your homestead curb appeal with a variety of textures and colors.
How to Begin a Perennial Flower Garden Video
Why you Should Begin a Perennial Flower Garden
Creating and maintaining a perennial flower garden provides many benefits. Perennials live for more than three years. During the fall many perennials are dormant but, make an appearance again in the spring and summer. When you plant your perennials make sure your area provides enough sun and has a well-drained area.
When you choose your perennials consider height, blooming time and the area you are growing. I like to add flowering perennials for all three seasons: spring, summer and fall. Understand your climate when planting and growing perennials. Certain climate you will not be able to grow or have success.
Tip Before Beginning a Perennial Flower Garden
Assess your current space and what you like to landscape. Careful planning and planting will determine your success, increase the value of your homestead and improve on the appearance.
Design on paper what you like to plant and where. I love planting perennial flower because after the first year of planting very little work is needed and the reward is big!
Consider your climate in the area your region. Certain perennials will thrive in particular regions. Soil is important when planting perennials. Is the soil you are working with clay, sand, black dirt, etc. Notice sun exposure at certain times of day. Does the area you are considering planting shade most of the day or full sun all day. Drainage plays a role in planting perennials.
Does the area have slopes, low spots or high? Will the soil dry out quick or stay moist for an extend period of time? Finally, pay attention the wind. Will your perennials get large wind gust or is there a building or tree blocking the wind? Are you planning on planting on the west end, and you get a lot of wind or no wind from the west?
Planting your Perennial Flower Garden
When planting your perennials make sure your locations meet the plant requirements such as sun and drainage.
Dig a hole twice the size of the plant’s roots. Fill your hole with water halfway and the fill the rest with dirt.
I like to mix compost with my dirt for proper nourishment.
Fill your hole completely and press soil firmly around the base of the plant.
Water your perennial thoroughly after planting daily for two weeks. If if rains that day, you may skip out on the watering. Once your perennials are establish you do not have to do much other than, weeding and mulching.
Throughout the season check for disease and treat immediately. Cut any dead or dry foliage to help with regrowth.
What to Plant in a Perennial Flower Garden
Bee Balm will spread rapidly and can grow up to four feet high. The leaves are dark green and has a smell of mint and basil. Deer hate this perennial but, hummingbirds enjoy Bee Balm. Divide or give your bee balm away every three years. and harvest to make delicious tea blends.
Lamb’s Ear is from the mint family and just like mint will spread.
Bee’s love Lamb’s Ear and is short stalked however deer will avoid Lamb’s Ear. This perennial is a medium green color but, the texture is soft like velvet. A purple flower will bloom but, will not grow high.
Lily of the Valley will grow up to eight inches high. Creating a sweet smell, Lily of the Valley with have little white bells that will form mid summer. Green Leaves and blooms in the spring; Lily of the Valley likes partial sun and regular watering.
Roses are well loved and has the most variety. There are miniature and climbing roses to name a few options Red, White and Pink are popular colors for roses but, you can find many colors. I choose to plant pink “Queen Elizabeth” roses that grow as a bush.
Different roses thrive in a certain climates’ due you research and decide on the best rose to grow in your climate in which you live in. Choose a location that provides full sun and well-drained soil. Water your roses often because roses love moisture.
Hostas are easy to grow and grow in many shades of green. Beautiful flowers submerge in the middle of the summer. There is a huge variety of hostas and many love shade but, some do love sun.
This perennial is not only easy to grow and only requires average soil to thrive.
Caring for a Perennial Flower Garden
After you have our perennials in the ground it is essential you understand their future care. The good news is there is not much time nor energy that is required for caring for a perennial flower garden.
Stake your Perennials
First, know when your perennials need to be stake. If a perennial grows straight up to prevent flopping down; please stake to make strong and sturdy. Always stake early before your perennials need them.
Why Cut and Pinch your Perennials
Next, cutting and pinching is a technique to help your perennial grow more and larger. During the Spring, Summer and Fall you want to cut back at least half of your perennial to encourage abundant growth. Cutting back and pinching will provide a neat appearance. Pinch and cut any dead flowers, stems and petals. Once your perennial in in bloom you can cut to put in a vase to enjoy or give a good shake to promote growth. Pinch off the last inch of the stem will create bushier, fuller perennials with more blossoms.
You Must Deadhead your Perennials
When your perennials bloom, trim anything that is faded, dead or just does not looks right! Deadheading keeps your perennial garden nice and gives the nice perennials extra energy to flourish. Removing parts or your perennials that are not serving encourage more growth and strong roots.
When to Divide Perennials?
About every two to three years, I like to divide perennials resulting in more growth and make someone happy. Divide your perennials in the spring and never do if the weather is going to be extreme such as too hot or cold. When removing the perennial take a small shovel and fork and dig about five inches around and under the perennial. When you remove and add to your new area; water, water, and water daily for up to two weeks.
Protecting Perennials in the Winter
Decide and only plant perennials that are appropriate for your Zone. Apply a good fertilizer, fresh topsoil and organic wood chips around your perennial garden.
Simple Gardening Tips Here at Riggs Creek Farmhouse
START A SIMPLE GARDEN FOR BEGINNERS
Leave a Reply