Tightwad loves
perennials. She is already thinking next year’s garden will look even better
than this year, especially with the hosta “up for adoption” she found on the
side of the road yesterday that she promptly put in a shade bed. But, even
perennials don’t always make it to another season. Here are a few reasons:
It’s
their year There may be a
general regional plant loss of a specific species that the nursery biz can’t explain.
Too-wet soil Soil
that holds moisture over the winter tends to rot plant crowns. Excess thawing will create wet soil with a layer of ice over top which is certain death for many plants. Pull back the mulch at least 5
inches to promote evaporation.
Excessive cold Some perennials are sold as hardy in zones where they shouldn’t be planted.
Age Perennials don’t live forever. No, it’s true. The longer-lived ones (peonies, daylilies, hosta, astilbe) can easily reach twenty years but most others are shorter-lived, living for around three to five years.
Excessive cold Some perennials are sold as hardy in zones where they shouldn’t be planted.
Age Perennials don’t live forever. No, it’s true. The longer-lived ones (peonies, daylilies, hosta, astilbe) can easily reach twenty years but most others are shorter-lived, living for around three to five years.
What’s
the answer? After ensuring that your plants are in the right
spot (right light, right soil, right drainage, right heat) and therefore not
stressed, mulch
helps even out swings in temperature and increase the hardiness of tender perennials.
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