Understanding Garden Plants - Herbacious Perennials Flashcards
Ten herbaceous perennials
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
5 shade herbaceous perennials
Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona' Hosta 'Snowden' Alchemilla mollis Acanthus mollis Campanula glomerata Matteucia struthiopteris
5 ground cover herbaceous perennials
Alchemilla mollis Ajuga reptans Lysimacchia nummularia (creeping Jenny) Saxifraga fortuneii Bergenia cordifolia
Bulbs corms or tubers x 10
Crocosmia masiniorium Galanthus nivalis Crocus vernus Tulipa Oxford Narcissus Tete a Tete Nerine bowdenii Lilleum regale Cyclamen hederifolium Allium giganteum Hyacinthoides non scripta
Soil prep for herbaceous perennials
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
Planting of herbaceous perennials inc bare root, container grown plants and bulbs
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
Aftercare for herbaceous perennials
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 -
Name some weeds and how to treat
See weeds section
Difficult to spray. Hand weed and mulch best