Greenscape Gardens Green Blog

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY!

JUNE IS PERENNIAL PLANT MONTH....CHECK OUT OUR GREAT SELECTION.

I LOSE WEIGHT.....BUT IT FINDS ME AGAIN......CHUBBY

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KIRKWOOD GARDEN CLUB GARDEN TOUR

THEME: Featuring 7 Fine Gardens of Kirkwood and Neighboring Communities

WHEN: Sunday, June 26, 2005; 1:00pm to 5:00pm

WHERE: Kirkwood and Neighboring Communities

COST: $10.00 in advance; $12.50 day of tour (tickets may be purchased at: OK Hatchery, 115 E. Argonne, Kirkwood; Kirkwood Library, 140 E. Jefferson; or by calling Cathy Reber at (314) 966-4151)

PRODUCED BY: Kirkwood Garden Club, gardening since 1950.

(KIRKWOOD, MO): A Garden Tour is planned for Sunday, June 26, 2005 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm featuring 7 fine gardens located in Kirkwood and neighboring communities. The Garden Tour is presented by the Kirkwood Garden Club. Themes of the private gardens on the tour include: Bird Sanctuary Garden (Glendale); Horticultural Professional’s Garden (Kirkwood); Hillside Garden (Des Peres); Sugar Creek Valley Garden (Kirkwood); Shady Border Garden (Kirkwood); Poolside Garden (Frontenac); Estate Garden (Ladue). Garden design styles range from traditional to the exotic and include a variety of features such as secret garden rooms and an architect-designed chicken coop. Tours are self-guided and gardens may be visited in any order desired.


For more information about the Kirkwood Garden Club and the Garden Tour, visit www.KirkwoodGardenClub.org.

Advance ticket cost is $10.00 (tickets may be purchased at: OK Hatchery, 115 E. Argonne, Kirkwood; Kirkwood Library, 140 E. Jefferson); $ 12.50 on the day of the tour.

For more information: www.KirkwoodGardenClub.org
OR contact: Cathy Reber (314) 966-4151

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GROW NATIVE! KNOW-HOW: THE WILD SIDE OF FOREST PARK

THEME: Practical Application Workshop for Professionals Featuring Design, Installation and Management Methods for Utilizing Native Plants in the Landscape
WHEN: Thursday, June 23, 2005, 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.
WHERE: St. Louis Forest Park/Event starts at the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor & Education Center, 5595 Grand Drive in Forest Park
AUDIENCE: Landscape professionals
COST: $45.00 (Pre-registration ON OR PRIOR TO June 10, 2005 – pre-registration includes an invitation to the evening-prior/June 22nd reception and assures a reserved lunch for June 23rd)
PRODUCED BY: Grow Native! (a joint program of the Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Agriculture), Missouri Botanical Garden/Shaw Nature Reserve, Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis, American Society of Landscape Architects and Alberici Constructors in association with Forest Park Forever, Flora Conservancy of Forest Park, City of St. Louis Parks, Recreation and Forestry and St. Louis Zoo

(ST. LOUIS, MO): A practical application native plant workshop for landscape professionals will be offered on Thursday, June 23, 2005 from 8:00am to 4:30pm at St. Louis Forest Park, St. Louis, MO. The event, Grow Native! Know-How: The Wild Side of Forest Park, is produced by several local organizations, agencies and businesses including: Grow Native! (a joint program of the Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Agriculture); Missouri Botanical Garden/Shaw Nature Reserve; Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis; American Society of Landscape Architects; City of St. Louis Parks, Recreation and Forestry and Alberici Constructors; in association with Forest Park Forever; Flora Conservancy of Forest Park and St. Louis Zoo. The event starts at the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center, 5595 Grand Drive with an inspiring keynote presentation by James van Sweden of Oehme, van Sweden Associates. The workshop will continue with tours featuring four presentation teams representing four native plant landscapes in Forest Park at various stages of development including: Native Wetland Landscape; Native Savannah Planting; Native Prairie Landscape; Restored St. Louis Zoo Flight House Landscape. Each presenting team will include a project designer, installer and maintenance manager. Presentations will emphasize techniques, methods, materials and equipment related to native plant installation and management.

For more information about the presenters and other event activities, visit www.grownative.org and select the “Workshops and Events” section.

Pre-registration cost is $45.00 (on or prior to June 10, 2005 – pre-registration includes an invitation to the evening-prior/June 22nd reception with the presenters and assures a reserved lunch for June 23rd).
For access to a pre-registration form and/or more information: www.grownative.org
OR contact: Larry Havermann at Shaw Nature Reserve (636) 451-3512 ext 6079

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GROWING PERENNIALS

Herbaceous perennials generally live for three or more seasons, but usually the tops die back to the ground each fall. The crown and roots of the plant resume growth in spring. A few perennials are evergreen or keep a green rosette of leaves at the base in winter. Hardy perennials can live through the winter without protection.

Perennials provide year-round color and interest; with endless variations in colors, sizes, habits and time of bloom. Although some perennials flower for only a few weeks, the ever-changing color display forms much of the excitement of a perennial garden.

Some perennials, such as ferns and hostas, are grown principally for their beautiful foliage. Include foliage plants to extend seasonal color and texture in the garden.

LANDSCAPE USE

While the traditional English perennial border was entirely made up of herbaceous perennials, they are attractively used in combination with other plants in the total landscape. Perennials are easily used as ground covers, mixed with annuals, grown in containers, and used as accents or specimen plants.

There are perennials for full sun or heavy shade, for dry or wet soil. Select perennials that are suited to the growing conditions where they will be planted.

Select a planting area with good air circulation to help avoid diseases.

PLANTING PERENNIALS

Good soil preparation is extremely important for perennials, since they may be in place for many years. Deeply spade the beds to a depth of eight to 10 inches. Amend clay soils and improve water retention by mixing in at least 2 inches of compost, OR leaf mold to improve drainage and aeration. Good soil drainage is critical to the success of most perennials. Raised beds can be used to ensure adequate drainage.

Base fertilizer and lime applications on the results of a soil test for best results. In the absence of a soil test, add a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 at the rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet of bed area or a complete slow-release fertilizer following label directions.

A pH of 6.0 to 6.5 is ideal for most perennials. Most St. Louis soils are acidic and require the addition of lime to correct pH. Incorporate lime and fertilizer into the top 4 to 6 inches of soil after mixing in the soil amendments. Rake the soil surface smooth.

Planting

Most perennials can be planted in the fall or spring. Fall planting gives the plant more time to become established before the start of active growth in the spring. Fall planted perennials are usually well-established before hot weather. Fall planting should be finished at least 6 weeks before hard-freezing weather occurs.

Spring is also considered a good time to plant perennials. Planting early, just after killing frosts have passed, is better than later spring planting. Many perennials can be grown from seed, but most gardeners prefer to start with established plants. Perennials are available at Greenscape Gardens in containers.

If plants are somewhat pot-bound at planting time, loosen the roots around the bottom and sides of the root ball and spread them out in the bottom of the planting hole. To encourage side root growth, make the hole twice as wide as deep. Refill the hole, firming the soil in around the plant to avoid air pockets. Be sure the crown of the plant (the point where roots and top join)is even with the soil surface.

Watering

Water plants thoroughly following planting to settle the soil around the roots. Pay especially close attention to watering the first few weeks while plants develop their root systems. Adequate moisture is essential for the growth of perennials. Most perennials require at least 1 to 1½ inches of water per week from rain or irrigation. More may be needed during very hot weather.

To promote deep root growth, water thoroughly and deeply. Allow the soil surface to dry before watering again. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation are ideal watering methods since they save water and avoid wetting leaves and flowers.

Mulch with a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost, pine bark or pine straw to help keep down weeds and conserve moisture. Avoid overly heavy mulching to help prevent crown rot.

MAINTENANCE

Weed control should usually be done by hand-weeding or with the use of herbicides to avoid damging shallow roots. Read and follow label directions before using any herbicide.

Maintenance fertilization should be based on the results of a soil test. In the absence of a soil test, apply a complete fertilizer such as 12-12-12 at the rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet of bed area just before new shoots emerge in the early spring. Avoid touching any emerging leaves with fertilizer to avoid leaf damage.
Many newly planted perennials will not bloom the first year. A few, such as peonies, may take several years to bloom heavily.
Many perennials should be staked to prevent them from bending or falling over during wind and rain. When staking is done correctly, the plants grow to cover the stakes. Remove old flowers to encourage rebloom on perennials. Many perennials should be cut back to ground level after bloom is finished to encourage new leaf growth from the base.

Remove dead foliage and stems in the fall, and mulch to protect crowns and roots from alternating mild and freezing weather.
Most perennials eventually become overcrowded and require division. Many perennials are also easily propagated in this way.

PROBLEMS

Perennials vary considerably in their susceptability to pests. Selection of resistant species and cultivars, proper site selection, and good cultural practices will prevent many disease problems.

PERENNIALS FOR VARIOUS USES

Many perennials are available in several cultivars with different color, height or other attributes. Some, such as the heat-and humidity-tolerant cultivar of lamb’s ears called ‘Big Ears,’ are better suited to our climate than the species.

Perennials for Shade

Those marked with a * will tolerate the most shade.

• Acanthus mollis Bear’s Breech
• Alchemilla mollis Lady’s Mantle
• Anemone species
• Aquilegia species Columbine
• Astilbe x arendsii Astilbe
• Begonia grandis Hardy Begonia
• Bergenia cordifolia Heartleaf Bergenia
• Carex elata Golden Sedge
• Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Plumbago
• Chelone obliqua Turtlehead
• Cimicifuga species Bugbane
• Convallaria majalis Lily-of-the-Valley *
• Cyclamen species Hardy Cyclamen
• Dicentra species Bleeding Heart
• Digitalis species Foxglove
• Epimedium species Barrenwort *
• Ferns * (most)
• Galium odoratum Sweet Woodruff *
• Geranium maculatum Wild Cranesbill
• Helleborus orientalis Lenten Rose
• Heuchera species Coral Bells
• Hosta species Plantain Lily
• Lamium maculatum Spotted Dead Nettle *
• Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower *
• Mertensia virginica Virginia Bluebells *
• Myosotis sylvatica Forget-me-not
• Phlox stolonifera Creeping Woodland Phlox
• Polygonatum species Solomon’s Seal *
• Primula species Primrose
• Pulmonaria species Lungwort *
• Thalictrum species Meadow Rue
• Tiarella species Foam Flower *
• Tradescantia virginiana Spiderwort *
• Tricyrtis species Toad Lily *
• Viola species Violet *

Perennials for Hot, Dry Conditions

• Achillea species Yarrow
• Artemisia species Artemesia
• Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed
• Baptisia species False Indigo
• Coreopsis species Coreopsis
• Cortaderia selloana Pampas Grass
• Delosperma cooperi Hardy Ice Plant
• Festuca ovina Blue Fescue
• Gaillardia species Blanket Flower
• Gaura lindheimeri Gaura
• Helianthus species Perennial Sunflower
• Hemerocallis species and hybrids Daylily
• Iris hybrids Bearded Iris
• Kniphofia uvaria Red Hot Poker
• Lantana species Lantana
• Lavandula x intermedia Provence Lavender
• Liatris species Gayfeather
• Oenothera species Evening Primrose, Sundrops
• Perovskia atriplicifolia Russian Sage
• Rudbeckia species Black-eyed Susan
• Sedum species Stonecrop
• Sempervivum tectorum Hens & Chickens
• Solidago odora Sweet Goldenrod
• Stachys byzantina Lamb’s Ear
• Verbena species Verbena
• Yucca species Yucca

Tolerant of Moist or Damp Soils

Those marked with a * will tolerate wetter soils.

• Aster novae-angliae New England Aster
• Astilbe x arendsii Astilbe
• Canna species Canna *
• Carex species Sedge *
• Chelone species Turtlehead *
• Cimicifuga species Bugbane
• Eupatorium purpureum Joe-Pye Weed
• Filipendula species Meadow Sweet
• Galium odoratum Sweet Woodruff
• Hemerocallis species Daylily
• Iris ensata Japanese Iris *
• Ligularia species Golden Ray *
• Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower *
• Matteuccia pensylvanica Ostrich Fern
• Monarda species Bee Balm
• Myosotis sylvatica Forget-me-not
• Physostegia virginiana Obedient Plant
• Primula species Primrose
• Tradescantia virginiana Spiderwort

Perennials for Poor Soil

• Achillea species Yarrow
• Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed
• Baptisia species Wild Indigo
• Euphorbia species Spurge
• Gaillardia species Blaket Flower
• Gaura lindheimerii Gaura
• Hemerocallis species Daylily
• Lantana species Lantana
• Plumbago auriculata Plumbago
• Yucca species Yucca

Attractive Foliage

Those marked with a * tolerate heat and humidity.

• Alchemilla mollis Lady’s Mantle
• Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ Wormwood *
• Baptisia species False Indigo
• Chrysanthemum pacificum Gold & Silver Mum
• Delosperma cooperi Hardy Ice Plant *
• Dianthus gratianopolitanus Cheddar Pink *
• Helleborus orientalis Lenten Rose
• Heuchera species Coral Bells
• Hosta species and hybrids Plantain Lily
• Iris pallida ‘Variegata’ Varigated Sweet Iris
• Lamium maculatum Spotted Dead Nettle
• Ornamental Grasses
• Polygonatum species Solomon’s Seal
• Pulmonaria species Lungwort
• Sedum species Stonecrop
• Sempervivum tectorum Hen-and-chicks
• Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’ Lamb’s Ear *

Perennials That Can Be Invasive

• Aegopodium podagraria Goutweed
• Ajuga Bugleweed
• Artemisia ludoviciana Western Mugwort
• Arundinaria species Bamboo
• Bambusa species Clumping Bamboo
• Coronilla varia Crown Vetch
• Elymus arenarius Blue Lyme Grass
• Eupatorium coelestinum Hardy Ageratum
• Hemerocallis fulva Common Daylily, Ditch Lily
• Houttuynia cordata Chameleon Plant
• Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife
• Miscanthus sinensis Silver Grass; Zebra Grass
• Mentha species Mint
• Oenothera species Evening Primrose
• Physostegia virginiana Obedient Plant