Understanding Garden Plants - Herbacious Perennials

Question 1

Ten herbaceous perennials

Answer 1

Achillea 'Moonshine'
Alchemilla mollis
Agapanthus africanus 
Campanula glomerata alba
Delphinium BlueBird group 
Geranium johnsonii 'Johnsons Blue'
Geum 'Mrs Bradshaw'
Hosta 'Snowden'
Papaver orientalis 
Salvia x superba 
Sedum spectabile

Question 2

5 shade herbaceous perennials

Answer 2

Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona'
Hosta 'Snowden'
Alchemilla mollis 
Acanthus mollis
Campanula glomerata
Matteucia struthiopteris

Question 3

5 ground cover herbaceous perennials

Answer 3

Alchemilla mollis 
Ajuga reptans 
Lysimacchia nummularia (creeping Jenny)
Saxifraga fortuneii 
Bergenia cordifolia

Question 4

Bulbs corms or tubers x 10

Answer 4

Crocosmia masiniorium 
Galanthus  nivalis 
Crocus vernus 
Tulipa Oxford 
Narcissus Tete a Tete 
Nerine bowdenii 
Lilleum regale 
Cyclamen hederifolium 
Allium giganteum 
Hyacinthoides non scripta

Question 5

Soil prep for herbaceous perennials

Answer 5

New border double dig otherwise single dig and incorporate lots of organic matter such as garden compost
Soil should be well drained and rich in organic matter.
Rake over, consolidate with back of rake to get a level surface

Question 6

Planting of herbaceous perennials inc bare root, container grown plants and bulbs

Answer 6

Bare root - e.g. agapanthus in spring
use a trowel or spade to create a hole just deep and wide enough to set in the clump. The aim is to bury just the roots, leaving the bases of the stems (when in growth in summer) and/or the shoots (in spring) above ground
Firm back around the soil, using your hand for small clumps and your heels on large ones
Water in well even if the ground is moist and rain is forecast. This will settle the soil and prevent desiccation
Container grown
Individually knock out each plant from its container. Look at the roots – if they are circling around the compost, it is best to tease them out. To do this, push your fingers into the rootball along the bottom edge and pull to rip the roots. Do this in three to four places. This will prevent the roots growing round and round and, therefore, should encourage the roots to spread into the surrounding ground
Next use a trowel or spade to create a hole just deep and wide enough to set in the rootball. The aim is to bury just the roots, leaving the bases of the stems (when in growth in summer) or the shoots (in spring) above ground
Firm back around the soil, using your hand for small clumps and your heels on large ones
Water in well even if the ground is moist and rain is forecast. This will settle the soil and prevent desiccation

Question 7

Aftercare for herbaceous perennials

Answer 7

Support tall plants with pea sticks or canes
Watering in periods of little or no rain
Deadheading and end of season cut back
Feeding - fertiliser in spring such as Growmore
Division to renovate - every 3-4 years. Dig up plant and separate with. Knife or two forks back to back. Replant healthy pieces and add some organic matter
Any tender perennials move to greenhouse.
Weeding -

Question 8

Name some weeds and how to treat

Answer 8

See weeds section

Difficult to spray. Hand weed and mulch best