Basics of Perennial Gardening

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Basics of Perennial Gardening

• Wyandotte County
• Kansas State Research Extension

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Perennials

• Perennial
• Are plants that grow for more than one growing
  season
• The foliage dies during the winter, although the
  roots remain alive to produce a new plant that
  flowers the next year

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Perennials

• Biennials require 2 growing seasons to complete
  their life cycle Year 1 they are vegetative
  Year 2 they produce flowers, set seed die.

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Perennial Garden Preparation

• Site Selection
• Well drained soil
• Sun exposure
• - full sun (six hours of sun)
• - part sun (four to six hours sun)
• - shade (no direct sunlight)
• - part shade (less than four hours of sun)
• Soil texture Wyandotte County Clay?
• Special features - accents (fountains, patio,
  bench etc)

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Perennial Garden Preparation

• Prepare the soil
• Soil test
• Start with a clean bed remove weeds before
  planting
• Organic matter incorporate to at least six to
  eight inches
• Edging beds steel, rubber, stone, or natural
  materials

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When and What to Plant

• Select the right plants for the right place
• - plant hardiness Zones 5 6
• - sun exposure - water
  requirements - plant
  height/width
• - bloom period and color
• Plant as early as possible
• Use larger plants - gallon size or larger will
  give faster results
• Space appropriately

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• First year it sleeps, second year it creeps,
  third year it leaps.

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Planting

• Dig a hole the same depth as container
• Remove plants from the container
• Butterfly or separate the root ball
• Place the plant in the hole and lightly pack the
  soil around the plant with the same soil that was
  removed from the hole
• Water gently and slowly

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Mail Order Perennials

• Remove the plant from its package, and carefully
  remove all loose packing material (peat moss and
  sawdust are commonly used). 
• Soak the roots in a bucket of water for 5 to 10
  minutes. 
• Examine the root system, and trim away any
  rotted, moldy, broken or elongated roots with a
  sharp knife of your pruning shears. 

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Watering

• Water thoroughly and frequently during
  establishment (3-4 weeks)
• Water deeply, weekly to maintain adequate
  moisture (1/wk)

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Fertilizing

• Incorporate a slow release fertilizer at the time
  of planting
• Top dress with slow release at planting
• Liquid feed more labor intensive must do every
  two weeks
• Fertilize established perennials in the spring
  and fall (after dormant)

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Weed Control - Preemergent

• Treflan - sold as Preen, Miracle Grow Weed
  Preventer and Monteray Vegetable and Ornamental
  Weeder
• Dacthal - sold as Gordons Garden Weed Preventer
  Granuals
• Re-apply every 3 months
• Bed must be weed free before application (only
  prevents weeds)

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Mulch

• Organic (wood chips,
• pine needles, etc.) mulches
  are preferred no fabric is
  placed underneath the
  mulch
• Bio-degrade in one year
• Can be tilled in for organic matter
• Benefits
• - Prevents soil temperature fluctuation
• - Conserves moisture
• - Weed inhibitor
• - Erosion control

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Perennial Maintenance

• Many perennials spend their first season
  establishing a strong root system and then begin
  maximum flower production in their second and
  third years.
• Deadheading removing faded flowers to maintain
  plant vigor
• Each fall, cut back spent plants, and mulch to
  prevent alternate freezing and thawing over
  winter months
• Divide and replant many species on a 3-4 year
  cycle (iris, hosta, etc.)

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Pest Control

• Monitor plants for insects and diseases
• Treat as appropriate for the pest
• Best prevention is a healthy plant

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Perennials for Kansas

• Creeping or Moss Phlox (phlox subulata)
• Garden or Chinese Peony (paeonia lactiflora)
• Bearded or German Iris (Iris germanica)
• Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea)
• Tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata)
• Blanket Flower (Gaillardia grandiflora)
• Yarrow (Achillea spp)
• Daylily (Hemerocallis spp)
• Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum)
• Summer or Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)

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Perennials
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Perennials
Coral Bells, Purple Columbine, Shasta Daisy,
Viburnum