YORKTON - Well, gardeners, the warmer temps and longer days are giving us hope that yes, spring will arrive this year. As we look out over our snowy yards and gardens, we have to remind ourselves that in 12 or so weeks everything will probably look quite different out there!
By now you’ve probably received seed catalogues, and some of the loveliest to look at are the catalogues offering bulbs and perennials. Those glorious pictures give ideas of what new things we can add to the garden.
A favourite discussion among gardeners is the see-saw preference of perennials or annuals. Both have strong points in their favor, but let’s chat about perennials for a minute. I know many gardeners imagine a lush and colorful perennial border, and it can certainly be a reality, but there are some things to keep in mind.
First, we have to choose the right plants for the right place. Perennials must be chosen with care, considering light and water requirements before we plant them in their new homes.
Also, we need to do some homework ahead of time and see what the plants’ heights and widths will be at maturity. We don’t want to plant a three-foot tall daylily in front of a diminutive groundcover like creeping phlox. Also, we don’t want to plant something that might be two feet across in a space that is only 12 inches wide.
This is the time to get out a piece of paper and make a plan. Don’t panic! This might sound like something that is too complicated, but it makes things a lot easier later. We sketch out our flower bed or border, listing the approximate size, length and width. Then look at our list of perennials. Which ones will do well in that sunny (or shady) space? How much room will each plant fill? Before we know it, we will start to see a plan emerge.
When planting time comes, we have to be careful about preparing the soil properly; our plants will be in that space for years, hopefully, so the soil must be dug well and cleared of any old roots or branches. Once the soil is ready, we get out our garden plan, and start planting!
I know many gardeners, especially those with established perennial beds, do a lot of work by instinct and plant things a different way. And this is fine because they are working with an advanced bed, not a blank slate.
But whether a new planting or an established one, perennials do need different care than annuals. The beauty of perennials is that they come back year after year; and the challenge of perennials is that they come back year after year. To have a perennial bed that makes our hearts sing when we look at it, we must choose plants that we really love. And we must remember that they need to be trimmed, possibly pruned, and every few years some of them will have to be divided to keep them looking their best.
In reward for the work and effort, we see a stunning display of interesting plants that can look lovely all summer. On my way downtown, I always used to drive by a yard that had a stunning border. It was magazine-worthy with the design and colors. But sadly, after years of inspiring display, the border fell into weedy abandon, and by last summer had disappeared almost entirely. It was heartbreaking to see. I miss its beauty! But how it inspired me!
Thank you to our friends at YTW for their great work. See what’s new with the Yorkton hort society at www.yorktonhort.ca
Have a great week!
