Tips for Planting and Caring for Perennial Flowers

The best thing about growing perennial flowers is that you only have to plant them once, and they will bounce back and bloom for many years. They do need some care, which varies from species-to-species. Some need to grow in full sun, others prefer partial to full shade. Some like rich moist soil, while others prefer a drier soil, with little added richness. They should be watered and fed according to your garden center's directions.

A very important rule for the fall season is to cover all perennial plants around the stem, 6-8 inches out with a landscape cloth (available in garden centers) topped with mulch. This is a must if you live where winter seasons are extremely cold (one degree F to about 30 degrees F, or lower). Extend the mulch out from the plant about 18 inches in a circular pattern.

Perennial flowers come in several types. There are vines, ground covers, bushes and single-plant flowers. Perennial flowers are usually planted in the fall in the form of bulbs or roots. You can also purchase small plants from a garden center in spring.

Below are some varieties of each type of perennial:

VINES:

Clematis - This popular vine is a climber with sweet-scented beautiful flowers. Most varieties prefer full sun as do all of the vine types. Some may tolerate light shade. The soil needs to have a heavy addition of compost and rotted manure. When planting the Clematis root, you should bury the entire stem 2-3 inches below the soil line. This helps prevent Clematis wilt, which is common. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy during the first growing season. When growth first starts to appear, top dress the soil with two inches of rotted manure.

Prune the clematis in late winter or early spring. The plants can be hard pruned without killing the plant.

Passion Flower - is a fast growing beautiful vine ideal for covering a decorative trellis. This plant is usually started as a small plant or with a root system. The soil for the Passion Flower should be kept moist. This climber dies back to the ground in winter, but quickly springs up with new growth each summer.

Coral Vines - are famous in the South for heart-shaped leaves and fragile delicate flower clusters of pink or white. Coral vines are known locally in Florida as the Tallahassee vine

BUSHES:

Butterfly Bush - One popular perennial bush is the Butterfly Bush. It is sweetly scented and easy to grow as a perennial bush or hedge. These are known to have persisted for over 40 years in one place. They flower in red, pink, purple, white and yellow. I have one in my yard; this will be its second summer. We pruned it recently in early spring.

Flowering Bush Hydrangea - perennials are native plants to the United States. They shed their leaves in the winter, but spring back to life in spring, covered with flowers. They are easy to grow and care for.

GROUND COVERS:

Creeping Phlox - is a great ground cover. At one time, I had purple creeping phlox planted on a small mound, where they thrived quite well in full sun.

Hostas - are a hardy, easy-to-grow flowering plant that will cover any area where they are planted. Leaves are part of the show with Hostas. They work well as borders with some dividing at two-year intervals.

DIVIDING PERENNIALS:

There are numerous perennials that can be divided to increase their numbers. First we will talk about the ever-increasing popular Hosta. After growing in your garden for three to five years, your Hostas should be large enough for division. This can be done at any time.

First, dig up the clump, using a garden hose, rinse all the soil off. Or you can soak the clump in a tub of water. This makes it much easier. You will want to retain at least two eyes. Slice through the clump, saving as many roots as possible. Take your time and plan each cut carefully.

There also are Daylilies and Liriope. The procedure for each is almost identical. Follow the procedure for Hosta to the stage of removing soil from the crown and root system.

Now, if clean, you will find it simple to gently cut out each new plant. They will almost fall apart in your hands.

Other perennials include: Tulips, Lilacs, Honeysuckle, Hibiscus and Ornamental Grasses.

Sources:

http://www.gorgetopgardens.com/

http://www.gorgetopgardens.com/perennials/newbie-clematis.html

http://www.perennials.com/seeplant.html?item=1.403.100

http://ezinearticles.com/?Perennial-Flowering-Vines,-Bush-Hedges,-and-Fern-Plants&id=12

http://www.perennial-garden-plants.com/dividing-perennials.html