Upload
uk-hort-agents
View
434
Download
2
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Master Gardener presentation on perennial care and maintenence
Citation preview
The Long Distance Runners
Amy AldenderferCounty Extension Agent for
Horticulture
Brought to you by:
What is a Perennial?
A plant that lives for three or more yearsUsually herbaceousFlower for a shorter period than annualsWhether it’s a perennial, wildflower or weed depends on usTops generally die backAverage a three week bloom
Perennials v. Annuals
Pros– Variety of plants, blooms and foliage– Don’t plant every year= less expensive– Ability to specialize in plant groups– More challenging to combine well
Cons– Divide every 3-5 years– Short bloom period– Less striking blooms– Too many choices=design over time
Things to think about when choosing perennials:
SoilsLight
SpacingHardiness
groundcoversunder trees
slopes
containers
borders
Locations
Functions
herbal
scent
wildlife
edible
aesthetic
plant type
children
water
model train
historic
night/evening
Themes
dry
xeriscape
open
seashorerocky
woodland
shade
damp
Plant Habitats
meadow
Now that the plants are home, then what?
PlantingFertilizingIrrigationMulchingWeeding
PinchingStakingDividingPest management
Examples of Perennial Flowers
Part 1. Sunny Locations
Achillea filipendula- Yarrow
Many colors, flower in late spring to summer
2-3 feet tallFew pestsBorders, cut
flowers, driedCuttings or
division in spring or fall, some by seed
Achillea millifolium- yarrow
Wider range of colors than previous speciesSpreads faster, can become aggressivePerforms well in dry areas
Alcea rosea- hollyhock
Technically a biennial, often behaves as a short-lived perennialNumerous pest problemsEasily grown, great for vertical interest
Amsonia tabernaemontana- bluestar
Native perennialEasily grown in average soilsHas beautiful fall color Few pest problems
Amsonia hubrictii- bluestar
Similar to previous speciesPrimary distiction lies in very finely texture foliageSame excellent golden fall color
Anemone x hybrida – Japanese Anemone
Flowers white, pink, violet, in late summer and fall
3-4 feet tallFew pestsUsed in bordersDivision or root
cuttings made in spring, seed
Anthemis tinctoria- margueriteTends to be short livedOften re-seeds in good conditionsCut back after flowering to improve appearance and encourage repeat bloom
Aquilegia x hybrida - Hybrid Columbine
Flower colors, many and bicolors, in spring and early summer
1½ to 3 feet tallLeaf miners may
make foliage unattractive
Used in borders, will also do well in part shade
Division in late summer, seed
Armeria maritima- sea pinks
Needs well drained soilsGreat for rock gardens, raised bedsLooks best planted in large groups
Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’- Silver Mound Artemisia
Yellow flowers in summer that are not noteworthy. Grown for gray-green foliage.
6-8 inches tall, keep compact by shearing
Few pestsUsed in borders and
rock gardensPropagate by cutting
Artemesia ludoviciana- spreading forms
Considered invasive in good soilsMakes a nice filler for dried arrangementsTolerates poor, dry soils
Artemesia- powis castle
Forms a large woody sub-shrubDo not prune in fall or winterLooks best when pruned in late spring to maintain shapeTolerant of poor soils
Asclepias tuberosa – Butterfly weed
Flowers orange in summer
1-2 feet tallMajor pest – aphidsUsed as a border plant
and for cut flowers, attractive to butterflies.
Propagate by seed or root cuttings, does not transplant well.
Aster spp. - Asters
Flowers in blues, violets, whites in summer and fall
1-6 feet tall, taller varieties must be staked
Powdery mildew is the major pest
Used for borders and cut flowers
Propagate by division in spring
Baptisia australis – False indigoBlue flowers in
late spring3-5 feet tallFew pestsUsed in
borders, dried seed pods
Division in late fall or early spring, seed
Belamcanda chinensis – Blackberry lily
Yellow, orange flowers in summer, seed heads look like blackberries
3-4 feet tallIris borer is a
major pestUsed in bordersPropagate by
seed or division
Bergenia cordifolia- pigsqueak
Evergreen foliage turns maroon in fallBest in good soilsFlowers in very early springTolerates some shade
Boltonia asteroides- boltoniaVery tall fall blooming perennialCut back in summer to shorten and promote branchingGrows vigorously, may require staking
Campanula- bellflowerMany different species with varying plant habitsSome may be invasiveSome may struggle in our summer heat
Centaurea montana- cornflower
Prefers well drained soilsRelatively short bloom periodUnusual blue-purple flowers in late spring
Centranthus ruber- Jupiter’s beard Vigorous
perennial for well-drained soilsTolerates poor soils if draiinage is goodDead head to extend bloom season
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides –leadwort
Chrysanthemum x morifolium (Dendranthema grandiflora) – Garden mum
Many colors, yellow, bronze, lavender, white, in fall
1-2 feet tall, must be continually pinched until July to keep short
Major pests – aphids, leaf hoppers
Used in borders and cut flowers
Propagate by cuttings in summer, division in spring, seed
Chrysanthemum x superbum (Lucanthemum x superbum)– Shasta Daisy
White flowers in early spring
1-3 feet tallMajor pest –
aphidsUsed in borders,
cut flowersPropagate by
division in fall, seed
Cimicifuga racemosa – Black cohosh, Snakeroot
White flowers in late summer
5-8 feet tallFew pestsUsed in borders, will
tolerate some shadePropagate by
division, seed, deep root system
Growing popularity as medicinal herb
Coreopsis -tickseedMany species with varying plant habitsMost have yellow flowers and bloom for an extended periodDead head to extend bloom seasonBest divided regularly to maintain vigor
Crocosmia - montbretiaIris-like foliage provides vertical elementGrown from a cormInteresting flowers in summerMites can be a problem in dry conditionsSome forms are not hardy here
Delphinium elatum - larkspurPefers rich well-drained soils and cooler climatesTends to be short lived and performs poorly hereMonkshood can provide a similar effect in gardens
Dianthus - pinksMany species and formsMost are easily grownRange in height from 4”-3’Many form spreading groundcoversAttractive spiky silver foliage
Digitalis purpurea - foxgloveTechnically biennial, generally short lived hereMay require stakingMay reseed in good conditionsD. ambigua and D. mertonensis are true perennials
Echinacea purpurea – Purple ConeflowerFlowers purple,
white in summer to fall
3-5 feet tallMajor pest is
powdery mildewUsed as border
or cut flowersDivide clumps in
spring or by seed
Geranium sanguineum - Cranesbill Geranium
Flowers in white, violet, red in late spring
1 - 1½ feet tallFew pestsUsed as a border
or edge plant, protect from afternoon sun
Propagate by seed, some by cutting
Eryngium amethystinum – blue sea holly
Tolerates poor dry soils if drainage is excellentSpreads very slowly Division seldom necessaryStrikingly unusual blue flower heads
Eupatorium coelestinum – hardy ageratum
Very vigorous plant, particularly in moist soilsCut back in summer to shorten and increase floweringDivide regularly
Eupatorium purpureum – Joe pye weed Stately perennial
‘monster’ growing up to 10’Native plant attracts butterfliesSmaller dwarf versions are availableMay reseed around the garden
Euphorbia - spurgeMany different forms, some evergreenVery tolerant of poor dry soilsMilky sap may be an irritant to skin or eyesOften self seeds
Gaillardia x grandiflora – blanket flower
Very long bloom period in summerTends to be short livedExcellent for dry areasOften seeds itself in good soils
Gypsophila paniculata – Baby’s Breath
White or pink flowers in summer
2-3 feet tallFew pests but tends
to be short lived in KyUsed as border or
cut flowersPropagate by seed
or cuttings, does not like to be divided once established
Helenium autumnale- sneezeweed
Tall perennial valued for its fall blooms in yellow orange and redPrune in summer or stake to supportAdaptable plant tolerates many soil typesNative
Heliopsis helianthoides scabra ‘Summer Sun’ - Heliopsis
Yellow flowers in summer and early fall
3-4 feet tallFew pestsUsed as a border
or cut flowerPropagate by
seed
Hemerocallis hybrids - Daylily
Many colors, bloom in early summer
8 inches to 3 feet tall
Major pests are aphids and leaf spot
Used as border plants or in mass plantings
Propagate by division in late summer
Heuchera sanguinea – Coral bellsPink and red
flowers in late spring
8-18 inches tallFew pestsUsed as border
plants, mass plantings, also does well in part shade
Propagate by division or seed
Hibiscus moscheutos – Rose Mallow
White, red, pink and bicolors in summer
3-8 feet tall, taller ones require staking
Major pests are Japanese beetles and caterpillars
Used as border plantsPropagate by division
or seed
Bearded Iris- German Iris
Various colors and bicolors in late spring
2-4 feet tallMain pest is
iris borerUsed in
bordersPropagate by
division in fall
Iris siberica – siberian iris
Tough as nails perennialTolerates moist soils wellFoliage provides interest when not in flowerMostly shades of blue, purple and whiteRelatively short bloom period
Liatris spicata - Gayfeather
Native prairie perennialExcellent cut flowerAttracts butterfliesTolerates wet areasDivide regularly as needed
Monarda - beebalmVery vigorous plant is invasive in good soilsLoved by hummingbirds and butterfliesTolerates moist areasPowdery mildew is a huge problem prune hard to control or select mildew resisitant varieties
Oenothera fruticosa - sundropsRapidly spreading plant with yellow flowers in springOften short livedReddish stemsTolerates dry soils
Oenothera speciosa – showy primrose Aggressive-
leaning toward invasiveLarge pink flowers over a long period in spring and summerCut back after bloom to encourage repeat
Paeonia hybrids – Chinese PeonyPink, white, red flowers
in late spring, attractive foliage
3-4 feet tallSeveral pests, botrytis,
thrips, leaf spots, root rots, Japanese beetles
Used as a border or cut flower
Propagate by division in late summer, don’t plant too deeply
Papaver orientalis - Oriental PoppyFlowers of red,
pink, and white in late spring.
1-2 feet tallFew pestsUsed as a border
or cut flowerPropagation by
division, root cuttings or seed.
Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage
Blue flowers in summer
4-6 feet tall, shrubby
Few pestsUsed as a borderPropagate by
cuttings, division, or seed
Phlox paniculata - Summer Phlox
White, pink, blue, red flowers in summer
2-6 feet tallMajor pest is
powdery mildewUsed as a
border or cut flower
Propagate by division or seed
Phlox subulata - Moss Pink
Blue, white, or pink flowers in early spring
3-6 inches tallFew pestsUsed as a
border, in rock gardens, edging, and ground cover
Propagation by division in fall
Physostegia virginiana – obedient plant
Native plant in pink or whiteSpreads aggressively in good soilsTolerates moist areasGood cut flowerDivide frequently
Platycodon grandiflorus – balloon flower
Durable plant prefers moist, well-drained soilsResents divisionBlooms most of the summerGrows 2-3’ in height
Rudbeckia fulgida - Black-eyed Susan
Yellow flowers in summer to fall
2-3 feet tallPowdery
mildew is the main pest problem
Used as a border, cut or meadow flower
Propagation by division or seed
Salvia x superba – meadow sageReliable plant with long bloom season in late springGood for drier areasAromatic foliageCut back after bloom for a second, smaller flush of bloom
Sedum spp. - Stonecrop
Yellow, orange, red flowers in summer but generally grown more for foliage
3-8 inchesFew pestsUsed for edging,
ground covers, rock gardens
Propagation by division or seed
Sedum spectabile - Showy SedumPink, red, white,
lilac flowers in late summer and early fall
12-18 inches tallFew pestsUsed as a
border, edging, cut flower or dried
Propagation by division or cuttings
Examples of Perennial Flowers
Part 2. Shady Locations
Aconitum napellus - Monkshood
Blue flowers in late summer
3-4 feet tallFew pestsUsed as border or cut
flower, may tolerate sunny conditions
Propagate by division in fall or from seed
Poisonous!
Arum italicum - Italian Arum
White flowers in late spring followed by spikes of red berries in fall, good foliage throughout year
12-20 inches tallFew pestsUsed as a border plantPropagate by division in
fall or by seed
Astilbe x arendsii - Astilbe
Pink, white, red, lavender flowers in late spring and summer
2-3 feet tallMites are the major
pestUsed as a border, cut
flower, or driedPropagation by division
in spring
Begonia grandis - Hardy Begonia
Pink flowers in summer
18-24 inches tallFew pestsUsed in bordersPropagate by
tubers (may not be hardy) or bulbils
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides – Plumbago, Leadwort
Blue flowers in summer and fall
8-12 inches tallFew pestsUsed as a border
or ground coverPropagation by
division in spring, cuttings, or seed
Dicentra spectabilis – Common Bleeding Heart
Pink or white flowers in summer
12-18 inches tallMajor pest – stem
rot and wiltUsed as a border or
cut flowerPropagation by
division in spring or fall, cuttings, or seed
Epimedium grandiflorum - Barrenwort
Prefers moist, organic soilsSome species tolerate dry shade when establishedNice groundcoverSmall white, pink, or yellow flowers
Helleborus orientalis – Lenten Rose
White or purple flowers in early spring
12-15 inches tallFew pestsUsed as a border
plantPropagate by
division or seed
Hosta spp. and hybrids - Hosta, Plantain Lily
White and lavender flowers in spring and summer, grown more for the foliage
8-36 inches tallMajor pest -
slugsUsed as border
and cuttingPropagation by
division
Polygonatum odoratum ‘Vari-gatum’ – Fragrant Solomon’s Seal
White to green flowers in spring, foliage is also attractive
18-24 inches tallFew pestsUsed in bordersPropagation by
roots divisions, seed
Tricytis hirta - Toad LilyWhite flowers with
purple spots in late summer and fall
2-3 feet tallFew pestsUsed in bordersPropagation is by
division in spring or fall or by seed (needs stratification)
Thanks to:Jamie Dockery– Fayette County Extension Agent for Horticulture
Dr. Leonard Perry– Extension Professor, UVM
Rosie Learner– Horticulture Specialist, Purdue University
Jane Martin– Extension Agent Horticulture, Ohio State University
Susan Grupp– Unit Educator, Horticulture, University of Illinois
Margaret Hudson – photo of Hosta garden
Michael Boer – UW herb garden