Amateur Gardening – 20 July 2019

4 AMATEUR GARDENING 20 JULY 2019

Keep perennials performing

A

FTER six years of culling,
planting and renovating, our
borders are starting to become
a realisation of the colourful
combinations we originally imagined.
Low-growing perennials interspersed
with bedding plants provide a carpet of
colour topped by lanky scabious and
Verbena bonariensis, whose flowers
seem to float above the beds.
I am particularly thrilled that
some freesias planted earlier
in the year are flourishing,
their signature scent and
glossy petals bringing
something more exotic
to the party.
Perennials come into
their own in summer, and as
a whole are some of the most
easy-going plants in the garden.
Apart from tender types such as
pelargoniums and gazanias that may
require lifting and storing through winter,
most can be left alone and will perform
throughout the summer.

They will be at their best if they are

deadheaded regularly to encourage

more flower buds, and it is also a good

idea to remove tired and tatty leaves to

make room for new growth and prevent

pests and disease.

Summer is also a key time for

splitting perennials, and I have divided

an old clump of irises that had become

unproductive, with a meagre fringe of

foliage and precious few flowers

surrounding its barren core.

When splitting perennials,

just remember that each

division needs healthy

roots and top growth,

and that if you can’t replant

sections at once then they

should be wrapped in damp

newspaper or plastic and

stored somewhere cool, so the

roots don’t dry out, for up to 24 hours.

Ideally, divide plants on a still, overcast

day to reduce dehydration and if the soil

is very dry, water the planting holes well

before adding the plants.

Ruth’s tips on keeping borders buoyant well into autumn

Dividing perennials keeps them productive

and gives you plants for free

1

Cut back short-lived perennials

such as lupins to return energy

to the plant rather than wasting it

on seed production.

2

Keep watering during dry

spells, making sure the liquid

doesn’t just run off the soil by

creating a moat around plant stems.

3

Our warm, damp summer

has been great for weeds,

so remove them regularly before

they over-run your borders.

4

Plants can’t perform on water

alone. Liquid-feed weekly or

fork in a granular feed monthly,

then water well.

Keeping plants

productive

Top tips for more flowers

Step

by step

I am particularly thrilled that
some freesias planted earlier

a whole are some of the most
easy-going plants in the garden.

foliage and precious few flowers

surrounding its barren core.

just remember that each

division needs healthy

roots and top growth,

and that if you can’t replant

sections at once then they

should be wrapped in damp

newspaper or plastic and

stored somewhere cool, so the

Divisions need roots

and shoots

Keep perennials performing

Many perennials are

great for pollinators

Freesias add scented

opulence