Perennials usually grown in raised beds, add a touch of whimsical beauty in any home garden. You can grow perennials easily because growing them is not difficult. But their successful growth depends on their time of plantation. If you are also thinking about when to plant perennials, then let me tell you the start of autumn and spring seasons are the best time to plant perennials.
Because in these weathers the soil is moist and is suitable for the healthy growth of perennials. The perennials are plants that require low maintenance and return yearly to bring beautiful colors to your gardens. Your garden will live its own life because the perennials bloom yearly. In this guide, we’ll discuss planting perennials in the fall to start the spring with colors around you.
Features of the Perennial Plants
The life span of herbaceous perennials is about three months to many years, but the top ones die back to the ground during fall. However, the development of roots and crowns of perennials usually begins in spring when the soil is a little bit moist. Some perennials withstand winter or difficult conditions without protection.
Various perennials like dahlias and cannas belong to South Carolina and are prone to living in mild environments. That is why they cannot bear and live through the winter. While on the other side, perennials cannot tolerate hot or humid summers. However, perennials are best to grow in cool climates, and it is vital to give them care to adapt to the weather conditions.
1. Ornamental Features
Perennials come in a range of colors and often vary in habits, sizes, and blooming seasons. The bloom time of flowers of perennial plants remains for a shorter time but their colorful display gives more excitement and a beautiful garden view. As the weather of South Carolina is mild to a little warm, so most perennial flowers unexpectedly rebloom here.
The perennials like Hostas and Ferns are known for their spectacular foliage, and if you add them to your garden, they will bring seasonal color and texture that can provide pleasure.
2. Landscaping Features
As the perennials are grown in raised beds of borders, they are of great use in collecting other plants. Adding these flowers to the landscape makes the overall view beautiful. Moreover, they are the best option to mix with annuals; you can also grow them in containers.
Perennials can bear longer shade times, partial sun, full sun, and moist, wet, and dry soil easily. You can choose from them according to your suitable growing conditions so they can grow better.
Guide to Grow Perennial Plants
You can plant the perennials like a pro gardener by following the given steps:
1. Soil Preparation
Just like other plants, you need to prepare the soil for planting perennials prepare the soil. You have to make deep spades for the perennials and keep a depth of at least 10 inches. After that, start by mixing the soil up to 2 inches of pine bark-based soil, composted pine bark, or leaf compost. This type of soil is good for the aeration and drainage of the perennials. Soil drainage is critical for the successful growth of perennials, and elevated beds also ensure good plant drainage.
2. Fertilizer
Use fertilizers according to the soil requirements; for this, you can test the soil. However, you can use a completely balanced fertilizer like triple10 fertilizer, which is applied about 1 pound per 100 square feet. You can also use complete organic fertilizer and slow-release fertilizers.
3. Soil pH
Perennials need soil with a minimum to a maximum of 6 to 6.5 pH. Most soils are very acidic, and you can set the pH using lime. If you still need to do a soil test, add at least 4 pounds of pelleted lime per 100 square feet area. After mixing the lime in the soil, layer about 4 to 6 inches into the bed area. Then make the surface of the soil smooth.
4. Plantation Time
As told above, early fall and early spring seasons are best to plant perennials. Try to finish the fall planting before starting the weather of hard freezing, and due to this, you can plant them 6 months before the season. You can also plant them in early spring, which is the best time for their proper growth. It is not necessary to grow perennials from seeds only, you can also grow them from plant parts in containers.
If the plants are pot-bound at planting time, they lose their roots so, give them space for growth. Make a hole as deep as possible and refill it from the soil. Also, make sure that there will be no air pockets. Also, ensure that the plant’s crown is completely hidden from the soil.
5. Watering Routine
Perennials love to get through watering, so you must water them frequently for the first few weeks until they develop their roots. Water them thoroughly and deeply especially in hot summers when they need consistent moisture, so that they promote the growth of roots. But make sure that water them after the surface dries.
6. Maintenance
Maintenance of the plants is essential, and you can weed by hand weeding. Using herbicides is also a good option; in this way, the shallow roots remain safe. But read the label before using any herbicides. Avoid using pre-emergence herbicides for your new plants of perennials because they can hinder the growth of perennials.
Some perennials may not bloom in the first year, like peonies, which can take a few years to bloom heavily. Stake the perennials so they will not bend or fall during rain and wind, and with proper staking, they can cover these stakes. If you notice floppy perennials, it is due to improper sunlight, and you should relocate them.
Remove old flowers so that new ones can re-bloom, and cut back them to the ground level when a bloom finishes encouraging the new growth of leaves. Protect the crowns and roots from freezing weather and cut the dead foliage in the fall so that they can bloom during spring.
Conclusion
Perennials are a way to add beauty and aesthetics to any garden with their beautiful and vibrant colors. However, you need to make sure to plant them at a suitable time for their thriving growth, which is early spring or fall. We have explained all the requirements from the soil preparation to preparing the soil well to the watering routine. So, follow these guidelines and enjoy the vibrant blooms of perennials for many years.
FAQs
1. Which Are the Most Popular Perennial Plants?
There are many common and popular perennials including Marygold, Begonias, Daylilies, Pansies, etc.
2. Which Are the Most Hardy Perennial Plants?
Perennials including Salvia, Ornamental grasses, Sedum, and Japanese Anemone are very tough and hardy plants.
3. Which Perennial Plant Blooms for the Longer Time?
The most common perennials with longer bloom times include thread leaf coreopsis Moonbeam variety.