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Have you heard there are easy-care perennials?
As planting season arrives if we are able to take the time and put more thought into our choices we would have way better success. Yes, there are easy-care perennials and choosing them sure helps the amount of effort. The most important factor when choosing your plants is placement. Check out the amount of sunlight as well the time of day. If only am sunlight then this is considered part sun. Great for Hosta as well as many others as the sun is usually gone by 1-2 pm. South facing without any obstructions such as a tree/shed would be full sun.
Also very important to knowing what your hardiness zone is. Here in Peterborough, we are 5b so as long as the tags are Canadian zones stick with 5b or lower numbers. To make a plant qualify for easy care we would make sure it is a long lived perennial, they are hardy to our zone, thrive year after year without having to divide them, not prone to diseases, and/or be tolerant to our ever-changing seasons with less and less rain. Makes them more drought tolerant once established. Some short lived perennials would be Shasta Daisies and Lupins. They usually last 3-4 seasons only.
You can also add to search for those plants that are easy care as well as attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Even add fragrant blooms and of course longer blooming ones. Also for full sun or part shade the hummingbird magnet Bee balm. Most of the newer varieties do not grow too tall and also do not get mildew like the older varieties. Try looking for 'Leading Lady Plum', Pardon my Rose', or 'Rock'n Raspberry'.
A few other gardening tips I love to pass on to our customers; Weed when 100% sure they are weeds and do not give up on perennials too early as some like Coneflowers are sad looking until the soil warms up in later May. Also hold off planting new additions until the soil is warm to touch for better success with them. Check out the Sombrero series. Number one easiest care in my opinion is Sedum. Boy, have they come a long way! Now they have those that have foliage of Black, red and variegated as well. We carry all the new ones and some not so new but so worth it. If you haven't seen these check them out; Atlantis, Back in Black, Coraljade, and Sieboldii. Full sun and water in at planting time are all they require. If they are a bit too tall you can even plant them a bit deeper or trim them up until mid-June.
So, just like not cleaning up the gardens too early in the spring patience is key. Way more success with careful consideration, you can have a colourful garden from early spring to late fall. Front Display Gardens open for self-guided touring 4 days a week Thursday to Sunday starting May 6th until June 26th 10-4 Drop in for help or check us out on Social media (@GardensPlus) to keep in touch and even take part in our contests.
owner/operator,
Dawn Golloher
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