Getting the most out of your perennials

When designing your perennial garden, is all about the feel and the overall look that you are wanting to create. You can go for the traditional perennial border that, when summer comes, can be an absolute stunner, or go for a free-flowing cottage style garden that has spring and summer interest and is a little more wild. Often, we want our gardens to fall somewhere in between.

To keep your perennial garden looking at its very best and prolong its flowering season, a little regular maintenance means you’ll be enjoying beautiful perennials throughout summer and well into autumn.

Here are a few tips to extend your perennials flowering time and keep your plants happy:

• Make sure your perennial garden beds are mulched well - mulching helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, keep roots cool during hot weather and improves the soil as it decomposes.
• Deadheading (removing spent flowers) improves the plants’ overall appearance, it will encourage your plants to put energy into new growth and, with certain species, will result in an additional flush of flowers.
• Ideally, do your watering in the morning or late in the day and water deeply.
• Fertilise sparingly.
• Stake plants in need of support to prevent perennials from flopping. This will reduce disease and increase beauty. Use bamboo stakes and ties, twigs woven into stems or other attractive or virtually invisible stakes - ideally this is done in spring so remember for next year.

One of the best things about perennials is that they grow bigger and better each year. But many will start to crowd themselves out if they get too big. Keep them performing well by digging them out of the ground and dividing them every three or four years. This is a great way to fill out other parts of your garden or give them away to friends and family.

Grouping plants by their water requirements

Different perennials need different water requirements. Some can handle the dry while others prefer moisture at all times. By grouping your perennials by water needs, you can save on water and keep your plants happy.

Feeding

Perennials love a soil that is enriched with compost and other forms of organic matter. This results in soil that is full of nutrients and abundant with soil life and require little additional fertiliser. If required, the use of a complete organic fertiliser will help your plants to flourish.

With a bit of care, your perennial beds will continue to look magnificent throughout summer and well into autumn.