Phelan Garden's Quick Tips for Growing Perennials
  • Choose the right plant for the right place—think about sun vs shade, wet vs, dry soil, height and bloom color before planting
  • Wait until early to mid May to plant perennials
  • Plant for year-round seasonal color—think of autumn and winter color first, then summer and finally spring
  • Include shrubs and ground covers in a perennial bed thus providing form, contrast, texture and winter protection for your plants
  • Avoid the stair step effect when planting perennials—mix taller plants with smaller ones to create a wave-like effect and make the garden look more natural
  • Use uneven numbers (3,5,7) for plants and plant groups
  • Be aware of sloping areas and set stones, decorative tree stumps or tree rings to aid your plants in establishing a good root system
  • Know your soil type before planting and amend the soil accordingly—for clay soil amend with a fine bark mulch such as soil pep—for sandy soil amend with sheep and peat compost as well as soil pep
  • In the hole you dig for each plant, place a handful of bone meal and mix this in with compost and existing soil before putting the plant in
  • Loosen the soil around the roots before placing the plant in the ground
  • Water deeply and thoroughly, but with longer periods between waterings after plants are established
  • Water well before adding any mulch
  • Make sure you have good drainage around plants—most do not like wet feet
  • Use a general garden fertilizer after a good root systems has been established
  • Deadhead faded blooms to extend the blooming season
  • Add additional winter mulch after ground has cooled down considerably
  •  Leave last bloom on to add texture, color and interest to your winter garden
  • Cut plants back in spring when you see new growth appearing
  • To achieve the full effect of ornamental grasses do NOT cut back in the fall—wait until spring and cut back to about 8”
  • Divide perennials on the average every 2 – 3 years by digging up the plant, creating new plants from the outside edges and throwing the center away
    • .

    For more information, contact  Phelan Gardens at 574-8058.