Monthly Perennial Care Tips
March
- It’s time to clean up your perennial beds. Rake away all dried foliage and debris.
- Look for those bulbs you planted last fall. They should be starting to pop up.
- Trim back grasses to 6 inches and any “woody” perennials (e.g. butterfly bushes)
April
- Planting time is here! Make sure your soil is not too wet by making a ball — if the ball crumbles easily it’s ok to work the soil.
- English daisies and primroses are beautiful now.
May
- Watch out for late frosts! Use an old sheet to cover any fragile foliage. Remove as soon as conditions allow.
- Plant Hosta and other leafy plants later to avoid frost damage on leaves.
- Start a fertilizer program this month.
June
- Celebrate National Perennial Month! Let us help you design a new perennial border or bed.
- Now is a good time to plant a butterfly garden. Butterfly bushes are a wonderful nectar source. You will also need plants that the larva can feed on; plants in the milkweed family are good for this. We have a huge selection of butterfly attracting plants for the larva and adult butterfly stages.
July
- A patriot garden is always welcome especially this month. Salvia and Veronica (Speedwell) can team up to help you achieve this look.
- Don’t slack on the watering. New plantings need to be kept moist for the first full gardening season.
- Boost perennials with an application of fertilizer. Use Garden Elements Bud & Bloom regularly.
- Don’t forget to keep those bird baths full with fresh water and change the nectar in your hummingbird feeder often.
- Remember to deadhead. This will extend your bloom time as you will get a second flush of flowers.
August
- Water is very critical to new perennial plantings during hot days. An inch of water weekly is needed. Water early in the day when possible.
- Stop fertilizing after this month so plants can harden off before winter.
September
- Fall is for planting! Asters, mums, bulbs and grasses are great combinations.
October
- Warm days and cool nights trigger dormancy in most perennials, but ornamental grasses are in their prime. Plant at three foot intervals to create a screen effect.
November
- Tidy up the perennial beds before winter.
- If weather has been dry, you may want to water in your new perennials one last time.
December
- Leave Coneflowers, night blooming primrose and other perennials that have gone to seed in the garden. The birds will enjoy the treats.
- After the ground freezes, apply a layer of mulch.
Winter
- Catch up on what’s new in perennial catalogs.
- Plan a new theme garden! Some choices are:
- Cut flower Bed
- Fragrance Bed
- Dried Flower Bed
- Drought tolerant Bed
- Red-White-Blue Bed
- Hummingbird & Butterfly Bed
- Moonlight Garden
