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Posts Tagged ‘Perennials’

We could not be happy without such dependable perennials as Peonies Iris and Phlox but it is great fun to try something new. I have been enjoying some hardy Primulas. They object to a hot and often dry climate for they much prefer it cool and moist. Some of them are at their best along a stream of water in light shade. Primula Japonica likes such conditions but with a little extra watering, it did grow very well along a north foundation.

There are many varieties of Primulas some are evergreen and others lose their green leaves during the winter. Primula Japonica belongs to the latter class. I planted seeds of it in a flat in March, watered well and set them outside to freeze. I was careful not to let the flat dry out and was rewarded by fine seedlings the latter part of April. As soon as the plants were of a size to be easily handled, I set them along the north foundation of my house. They grew very fast and I soon realized that I had planted them much too close together. Knowing that they appreciated moisture, I watered them frequently during the summer. I had fine big plants when the cold weather came. After the ground froze solid, an airy mulch was applied.

The plants made fine new growth in the spring. The largest crown was almost two feet in diameter. Finally buds could be seen deep in the center of the leaves. They grew rather slowly for an impatient soul but eventually opened a whorl of them around a stout stem.

Not being acquainted with flower, I supposed when all those buds had opened and faded that would be the end of their blooming but no, the stem grew in height and soon another tier a little higher up opened while those below went about their business of making seeds. The tallest stem grew 27 inches in height and had its sixth tier of flowers before it stopped blooming. Several plants sent up a second and a third stem not as lusty or tall as the first one but very good.

The colors were very pretty some a good rosy-pink, others a lighter pink and several plants had white flowers with a dark eye. The flowers were very attractive for many weeks. I felt well repaid for the extra watering they required.

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More specifically, when the perennials die, do you mark them so you know where they will sprout up in the spring?

Bulbs are the earliest blooming flowers in the garden blooming as early as February or early March. Bulbs can be used in the perennial garden where they can complement other early flowers. Planted in the lawn or beneath deciduous shade trees, bulbs can provide your property with spots of vibrant colors.

Though bulbs prefer sun they can grow beneath the canopy of deciduous trees. In the spring, before the leaves develop, the sun can filter though the tree’s branches. However, while they’ll grow best in the sun, those which are exposed to direct sun during the hottest part of the day are subject to shorter periods of bloom. Bulbs prefer organic well drained soil and will tend to rot if grown in poorly drained soils such as clay. To grow in poorly drained areas amend the soil down to 1 foot. Adding coarse textured organic mulch and compost to the soil will increase its drainage ability and add nutrients to the soil. Another solution is to plant them in raised beds created with well drained soil.

Bulbs, like perennials and annuals, should be deadheaded after they flower. Removing past blooms will prevent the bulbs from forming seed heads. This allows bulbs to put all of their energy into next year’s growth. Wait until the foliage turn brown before you cut the bulb back to the ground. Bulbs receive their energy through their foliage from the sun. This energy is stored below the ground in the bulbs until the following spring.

Wait until the weather is cooler in October and November to plant your bulbs. When you purchase them be sure they are firm rather than soft, bruised or moldy. If you don’t plant them right away be sure to store them in a cool dry place until you do. Generally, bulbs are planted at a depth 3 to 4 times the width of the bulb. Be sure to check when you buy for specific planting instructions. I like to plant bulbs in large massings for clusters of color. Cover the planted bulbs with about 2 or 3 inches of bark mulch to help the soil retain moisture and to reduce the growth of weeds in the garden.

Every few years some bulbs begin to get crowded and need dividing. Bulbs can be dug up after the foliage turns brown and can either be planted immediately or stored in a cool dry place until they’re planted in the fall.

Bulbs can usually be depended on to provide the garden with early spring color. Sometimes, however, bulbs fail to bloom profusely. This can be the result of too much moisture, too much shade or overcrowding. It can also be the result of removing the foliage of the bulbs too soon or improper planting techniques such as planting at the wrong depth.

Bulbs are among the easiest plants to care for in the garden. With some initial work you can provide your garden with early season color year after year. Spring flowering bulbs are a pleasant sight after a long winter and are the best sign of the wonderful things to come.

I want to know of some flowering shrubs and perennials for zone 5. I have a mostly sunny yard, a little bit of shade. I want something that is going to have really pretty flowers. I like white, pink, purple and red mostly.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• good plants for zone 5
• good plants for zone 5a

I’d like to plant a good variety so come next year, I will have flowers blooming throughout spring, summer, and fall. Any suggestions would be appreciated! =)