Herbaceous perennials are common favorites in any garden or landscape. They require little maintenance and, unlike annual plants, will bloom for two or more years. Perennials also come in an array of colors, giving gardeners more options to add color to their landscapes. The following information will help gardeners grow healthy perennials all year long.
Popular perennials grown in Alabama include the following:
- Black-eyed susan
- Purple coneflower
- Sedum
- Peony
- Bearded iris
- Daylily
- Salvia
- Coreopsis
- Hosta
- Phlox
- False indigo (Baptisia)
- Aster
- Russian sage
These perennials will die back in the winter, while their roots, clumps of stems, or buds will survive just underneath the soil surface. New shoots will appear in the spring. Some perennials are short lived, lasting only two to three years, while others will last longer. No matter the perennial a gardener chooses, understanding the basic gardening practices—such as adequate watering, soil, and sun conditions, regional planting recommendations, and fertilizing—will help the plants thrive.
Prior to installing new plantings, growers should conduct a soil test. Soil condition is an important factor in growing healthy plants. Plants need water, air, and nutrients to grow. A soil test will provide vital information on the pH and fertility of the location. Perennials generally thrive in soil with a pH acidity balance of 6.0 to 7.0. Adding soil amendments, such as nutrients, are based upon the results of a soil test. A grower may need to amend their soil regularly since plants and rainwater may deplete nutrients from the soil. Over time, a gardener will get to know their garden or landscape soil better.
After determining the condition of the soil in a garden or landscape, choose perennials based on regional location and garden design. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to help gardeners determine what plants are more likely to thrive in their area based on temperature and sunlight. Observe the plant site to see how the sun moves across the ground from morning to dusk. This will help to determine whether plants will need shade, partial, or full sun.
In addition, consider how tall the plant grows based on garden design. Taller perennials should be placed in the back rows of a garden so that shorter plants can take full advantage of the sun. Taller plants may have to be staked in early spring to allow plants to grow through or around them. Some perennials make good border plants along walkways, while others serve as vibrant focal points around shade trees or as attractions for butterflies or humming birds.
As plants grow, consider dividing them to give them more room. The best time to divide perennials depends on the region. In cold regions, early spring is usually the best time. In warmer and hot climates with mild winters and hot summers, fall may be a better time to divide plants. Make sure the plant looks healthy and that they have four to six weeks to root before the ground freezes.
Just as plants need sun and room to grow, they also need water. New plantings require deep, regular watering to prevent drying out, so be sure to soak the soil. Establishing a good root system during the first year’s growth is important for the plant’s continued health and vigor. Longer duration and less frequent watering times promote deep strong root systems. Water also allows fertilizers to dissolve in the soil which is better for plant growth.
A soil test will determine any initial fertilization requirements. Most perennials do not need frequent fertilization. Over fertilizing flowering perennials will produce excessive vegetative growth and few flowers. Fertilizers with lower formulations are sufficient unless otherwise indicated by a periodic soil test.
The following is a list of actions to take for seasonal care of perennial plants:
Spring
- Test the soil.
- Cut back tall ornamental grasses.
- Remove winter protection gradually.
- Weed, much, and clear edges.
- Thin and divide plants.
- Pinch plants back.
- Prepare stakes and support cages in late spring.
Summer
- Weed and water as necessary.
- Pinch and deadhead plants.
- Cut back where necessary.
- Stake taller plants.
Fall
- Weed and water as necessary.
- Deadhead plants.
- Divide and move plants.
- Cut back where necessary.
Winter
- Weed and water as necessary.
- Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch to plant site.
- Winterize the planting bed after the frost.
Because of their variety and vibrant blooms, perennials are a longtime favorite plant choice for gardens and landscapes. With little maintenance in nutrient-rich soil, perennials can be enjoyed in any garden or landscape for several years. Visit www.aces.edu for more information on gardening.
FAQs
In order to overwinter a perennial or shrub in a container outside, it needs to be two zones hardier than the zone you live in. 2. Perennials and shrubs that are in your zone or one colder can be overwintered in an unheated garage, buried in the ground, or transplanted.
Can potted perennials survive winter? ›
In order to overwinter a perennial or shrub in a container outside, it needs to be two zones hardier than the zone you live in. 2. Perennials and shrubs that are in your zone or one colder can be overwintered in an unheated garage, buried in the ground, or transplanted.
Will potted perennials come back every year? ›
Annuals grown in containers are discarded at the end of the season, but many potted perennials, shrubs and small trees can be maintained over the winter if steps are taken to protect the plants and their containers. The more cold-hardy the plants, the more likely you are to succeed in keeping them alive.
How to care for potted perennials? ›
Keep the plants well fertilized.
Because we must water pots more frequently than plants in the ground, we need to replenish nutrients that are flushed away. If you want to grow your pots organically, top-dress every couple of weeks with earthworm compost and Yum Yum Mix. Compost tea is also excellent.
What temperature is too cold for potted perennial plants? ›
Container-grown perennials can also be overwintered by placing them in an attached, unheated garage or other structure if you are confident the temperatures can stay consistently between 20 to 45°F. Many unheated structures can vary more widely in temperature than this.
Do perennials do well in pots? ›
When it comes to planting perennials in containers, the rule of thumb is the bigger the pot the better. First, perennials have larger root systems than annuals, so they require more space to grow well. Second, perennials in bigger pots have a better chance of overwintering successfully.
Can you bring potted perennials inside for winter? ›
To have success with overwintering, it's important to be familiar with which plants can successfully make the transition from outdoors to indoors. Many of the tender perennials we now consider annuals originally found their place in horticulture as houseplants and are excellent candidates for bringing inside.
How often do you water perennials in pots? ›
Watering Container Plants
Pots absorb heat, which can stress plant roots, and the soil in them dries out much faster than soil in the ground. Container plants generally need to be watered daily. During really hot weather, you may need to even water twice a day, especially smaller containers.
Why are all my perennials dying? ›
Overwatering is one of the more common causes of plant problems. Damage caused by overwatering is frequently misdiagnosed as pest problems. Roots growing in waterlogged soil may die because they can't function properly from a lack of oxygen in the soil.
What is the lifespan of perennials? ›
Perennial plants are those with a lifespan that lasts at least three years, though they can live significantly longer as well. Perennial foliage may die back during the winter months but will regrow from dormant roots the next season.
There are very few arguments in favor of cutting back perennials in autumn rather than spring. The main exception is diseased foliage. In this case, you should remove and destroy the infected tissues in fall. This reduces the amount of dormant disease organisms that can re-infect plants the next season.
Why are my perennials not doing well? ›
Sun plants growing in too much shade may lose vigor and eventually die. Plants that need a well-drained soil may also die quickly if planted in wet soils where they are susceptible to root rots.
How do you keep perennials healthy? ›
Adequate Watering
Just as plants need sun and room to grow, they also need water. New plantings require deep, regular watering to prevent drying out, so be sure to soak the soil. Establishing a good root system during the first year's growth is important for the plant's continued health and vigor.
Should you water perennials every day? ›
Avoid watering established plants every day. A quick drink every day just encourages spindly roots. Instead, deep and less frequent watering is best to promote long roots. They'll grow down into the ground so they stay cooler and absorb moisture and nutrients that are held there.
Can you leave potted plants out in the winter? ›
To protect planted terra-cotta and glazed containers left outdoors, wrap the sides of the pots with layers of bubble wrap or burlap covered with plastic wrap to prevent them from absorbing additional moisture once the plants go dormant and their water requirements are minimal.
What flower pots can stay outside in winter? ›
Fiberglass, lead, iron, heavy plastic, and stone are the best weather-resistant containers to use; terra-cotta will eventually expand and crack with repeated freezing and thawing. Assemble your designs early enough that the plants have time to acclimate to their new pots before the hard freeze.
How to protect outdoor potted plants in winter? ›
Wrap pots in burlap, bubble wrap, old blankets or geotextile blankets. It isn't necessary to wrap the entire plant because it's the roots that need shielding. These protective coverings will help to trap heat and keep it at the root zone.
