Perennials & Annuals -
How to Maintain

After your lawn, your perennial and annual beds will require the most time, effort and money to maintain between replacing your annuals each season and babying your perennials along year after year. But, before you decide to pass on these high-maintenance beauties, remember the color, texture and variety that they can add to an otherwise boring landscape. The show is definitely worth the effort! Here are a few tips to keeping your perennials and annuals healthy and happy.

Pruning

Annuals require little actual pruning. They do benefit from “deadheading” (removing flowers as they begin to fade); doing so regularly will greatly increase the production of blooms and keep the plants looking cleaner and healthier. Removing any yellowed or malformed leaves will allow the plant to dedicate its energy to healthier areas of the plant.

Early in the winter, cut back the dead stalks of your deciduous perennials. Plant debris makes the garden look messy and harbors harmful diseases and insects. Ornamental grasses are an exception; their dormant foliage and blooms add structure to the winter landscape. Cut these back late in the winter, just before new growth begins to flush.

Certain perennials and annuals benefit from “pinching” once or twice in the spring as they flush new growth. By removing the growing tips, you will encourage lower buds to sprout, resulting in a fuller plant. If your perennials begin to look “leggy” in the late summer, pinch them again to stimulate one last flush to carry them into the fall. Perennials also benefit from deadheading throughout the growing season to increase their bloom production.

Fertilizing

At the beginning of the growing season (around the middle of April), fertilize your perennials and newly planted annuals with 10-10-10 fertilizer. This will help your plants to develop a healthy base before they begin to produce blooms. After six to eight weeks, fertilize them with 5-10-15. It is lower in Nitrogen, so your plants will begin to focus on producing blooms instead of leaves. Continue to fertilize throughout the growing season with 5-10-15 every six to eight weeks or apply a slow release fertilizer that is low in Nitrogen and high in Potassium and Phosphorus.

Perennials and annuals vary in their ability to withstand fertilization; over-fertilizing can result in leaf burn. Be certain to follow the manufacturer directions regarding rates of application. For specific recommendations, please contact your local county extension agent.

Mulching

Uniformly apply a two- to three-inch layer of mulch, pine straw, or bark to the soil surface. This will aid in moisture retention, weed control, and temperature regulation (keeping the soil cool in summer and insulating the soil in winter). For more detailed information on mulching, click here.

Watering

Improper watering practices are the leading cause of plant loss in the landscape. It’s important to know what each plant needs and the signs that it will give to let you know whether those needs are being met.

Here are some general guidelines for proper watering:

• Water your perennials and annuals thoroughly after planting.
  
• Continue to water your perennials regularly for the first two years that they are planted. Proper watering is especially crucial during this time as the plants are working to establish themselves in the landscape.
  
• Deep, less frequent watering is better than frequent, shallow watering. This promotes deep root growth and can reduce water loss by evaporation.
  
• Sandy soils drain water much faster than clay soils. In an area with a heavy clay soil, the water percolates slowly into the ground, so water at a slower rate to help reduce run off.
  
• Know how much water each plant type needs to thrive.
  
• Water the rootball or the area directly below the plant rather than the leaves. The leaves can take in water, but the main uptake of water and nutrients is through the roots.
  
• The best time to water is during the morning hours. Afternoon watering tends to increase the chances of water loss through evaporation. Watering at night increases the likelihood of fungal infections.
  
• Mulch around your plantings. This helps to reduce evaporation and to suppress weeds.
  
• Control your weeds - they will be competing with your plants for the same water.