Grow Perennials
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Growing Perennials History of Perennials in the Landscape Perennials have long been popu- lar with gardeners throughout the world because they are rela- tively easy to grow and offer diversity of color, form and bloom sequence. A border bed of only perennials was first suggest- ed in 1890 by George Nicholson, curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, England. A movement began away from regi- mented rows of bedding plants in the flower beds of the mid- Victorian period (1870s) that Anne M. Hanchek, Assistant professor, Dept. of continued into the 1900s. Tender Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota bedding plants returned to favor J. Lee Taylor, Professor emeritus Pamela Allenstein, Former student, and in the early 1900s, and use of Arthur C. Cameron, Associate professor, perennials decreased, while Department of Horticulture, annuals in massed beds for sum- Michigan State University mer show attracted the public. The return to the use of perenni- North Central Regional als started about 1914 and con- Extension tinues today. Publication No. 556 Where to find it Page Page History of Perennials in the Books for Further Reading . 16 Landscape . 1 Perennials with Special Features What are Perennials? . 2 (Table) . 17 Why use Perennials? . 3 Selecting Perennials . 19 Designing with Perennials . 4 Perennial Selection/Care Guide (Table) . 20 Color Guide (Table) . 7 Bloom Chart . 27 Putting It All Together . 9 Cross-reference Index . 29 Culture of Perennials . 10 Spring Freeze Map . 32 Getting Started . 11 Hardiness Zone Map . 32 Controlling Pests and Diseases . 15 1 The 19th century Today, limited space The maintenance Example British plant experts often makes it impos- required for perenni- What are Common name: William Robinson sible or undesirable to als also varies with Garden mum and Gertrude Jekyll devote an area entire- Perennials? the species. For exam- played prominent ly to growing only ple, chrysanthemum Botanical name: roles in popularizing one type of plant, and delphinium need Dendranthema the perennial border such as perennials. The term “perenni- attention each year, grandiflora and developing The trend is toward als” commonly whereas hosta, peony Synonym: guidelines for its mixed borders or means “hardy herba- and balloon flower Chrysanthemum X design. They grouped beds that include ceous ornamental generally require little morifolium border perennials trees, shrubs, peren- plants.” Hardy peren- care after they are together and tiered nials, bulbs, annuals nials are, with some established. A rela- Cultivars: them with the tallest and biennials. This exceptions, non- tively low–mainte- ‘MinnGopher’ plants (such as del- allows you to select woody plants having nance garden is possi- ‘Snowsota’ phiniums) in the plants that go well roots that live ble, but it requires ‘Mellow Moon’ back and lower grow- together to create through the winter careful selection of Most modern refer- ing plants in the year-round color and while the tops die plants well suited to ence books on peren- front to separate the interest. back to the ground, the climate and nials refer to the border from the lawn. particularly in north- planted in an appro- There is also a move- plants by botanical The border was set ern climates. priate location. ment toward less for- name, so learning to against the backdrop mal, low–mainte- This distinction sepa- The following peren- use these specific of a hedge, usually nance gardens. rates hardy perennials nials will be excluded names can help you yew or boxwood, or a Perennials may be from tender perenni- from this bulletin. find information weathered brick wall. planted directly in als and annuals, Trees and shrubs, more quickly and Careful selection and lawns or in ground which flower, set seed although they are accurately. placement combined covers, such as peri- and die in the perennials, have harmonious color winkle or English autumn frosts; and woody plant parts schemes and con- ivy—a practice also from biennials, that normally do not trasting forms to pro- known as “naturaliz- which take two years die back to the vide interest and a ing.” Perennials hav- to complete the life ground each winter. sequence of continu- ing a low, spreading cycle. In the first year Bulbs, tubers and ous bloom. habit may also be biennials form low corms have special- Perennial borders in used instead of more rosettes of leaves; the ized methods of food this form, however, traditional ground next year, they send storage and are usual- presented certain dis- covers. Dried flowers up flowering stems ly treated separately, advantages. They and leaves are left on and die. Many bien- as are ferns and the required a great deal the plants for winter nials seem to be less common wild- of space and atten- interest and for use in perennial simply flowers. tion and could be dried arrangements. because they reseed Perennials are usually viewed from only one More ornamental themselves easily. sold under their side. The background grasses are used, as Some perennials will botanical names hedge competed for well as massings of last almost indefinite- (genus, species, culti- light and slowed air one or a limited num- ly. Others tend to be var) by the more rep- circulation, encourag- ber of other perenni- short-lived and many utable nurseries. This ing the back row to als. By combining last only a few years. is because common lean forward unless many species, you Peony, daylily and iris names can be confus- staked. These faults can create a spectacu- are extremely long- ing: one plant may inspired the island lar display. lived, while have three different bed concept at columbine, shasta common names, or Bressingham Gardens daisy and lupine tend one common name in Norfolk, England, to be short-lived, may refer to three dif- in the 1950s. flowering for two or ferent plants. When planted in rela- three years. When However, every plant tively narrow islands, selecting plants, has only one unique the flowers could be remember that botanical name. viewed from all direc- “perennial” doesn’t Occasionally, these tions and shading by necessarily mean names are changed hedges or walls was “perpetual.” by plant scientists to eliminated. Taller better describe the specimens were plant. When that placed in the middle happens, the old of the bed, their name becomes a syn- height usually no onym for the new. more than half the width of the bed. 2 conditions are listed Why use on the right. Problem Area Beautification Guide A carefully planned Perennials? perennial garden pro- Wet Areas Fertile Soil Rocky Areas vides continuous Iris sibirica Astilbe Aquilegia Caring for perennials flowering from early Monarda didyma Delphinium Armeria maritima can be a type of cre- spring through late Viola odorata Dendranthema Aurinia saxatilis ative expression. fall. Ornamental grandiflora Perennials offer a grasses and other wide variety of forms, plants with persistent colors, textures and flowers have winter Dry Areas Infertile Soil For Naturalizing sizes. They are long- interest, too. Achillea Asclepias tuberosa Ajuga lived, compared with Combine perennials Asclepias tuberosa Baptisia australis Helianthus annuals, and can with annuals, ground Hemerocallis Gypsophila helianthoides require relatively low covers, shrubs and paniculata Tradescantia X maintenance. They trees to create a spec- andersoniana can also provide vig- tacular landscape that orous new stock for is continually chang- Low Plants Shade Tall Plants transplanting and ing in texture, form trading with neigh- and color. Artemisia Astilbe Eupatorium bors and friends. `Silver Mound’ Heuchera sanguinea maculatum Dianthus Hosta Phlox subulata Perennials are versa- Calamagrostis tile. From the thou- acutiflora sands of species and Hibiscus moscheutos varieties available, you can select peren- nials that will thrive in any type of site, from wet to dry, fer- tile to infertile, sun to deep shade. They often provide the solution for problem areas, such as steep slopes, hillsides and rocky outcroppings. Notable examples of perennials that will thrive in these special 3 DESIGNING WITH PERENNIALS Why design at all? Step #1: as red maples, have a INFORMAL DESIGN Designing a perennial Determine the shallow root system flower garden and and will compete seeing it develop point(s) of with perennials for before your eyes can moisture. be rewarding. It takes viewing. time, knowledge and Place beds or borders Step #2: experience to prepare where they can be Consider exist- a good plan. The readily seen and planning stage is too admired. Try to locate ing conditions. often overlooked by them in areas of high Use the grid sheet on the impatient garden- visibility, such as the page 8 to sketch the er, and this results in front yard, near win- layout of your yard, a haphazard collec- dows, the porch or or create your own tion of plant materi- patio, while keeping grid using 1/4-inch als. The eye needs a in mind other factors graph paper and a sense of order. Too such as soil type, scale of 1/4 inch = 1 many variations in drainage, pH and foot. If the scale is sizes, shapes, colors light. Also consider insufficient, use 1/4 and textures create that certain trees, inch = 2 feet. With a confusion. Remember such as black walnut tape measure, deter- that the most spec- and butternut, pro- mine the size of the tacular gardens all duce a chemical in area you wish to begin with a carefully their roots that is plant. Carefully thought-out design toxic to many plants, record the location of that has strong lines including peonies. existing plants that and structure. Locate susceptible you want to keep and plants a minimum other permanent or distance of 60 feet temporary fixtures, from such trees. such as a compost Perennials with shal- pile, posts, a water low root systems are spigot, trash barrels, less likely to be affect- septic tanks and drain ed.