Perennials

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Perennials
Amy Jo Detweiler
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Perennial

• plants that live for 2 years
• once mature they flower annually

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Herbaceous

• non-woody plants that die back and go dormant in
  winter

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Perennial lifespan

• depends on type of plant, soil, climate, care,
  etc.

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Perennial types

• ground covers
• biennials

• border plants
• rock/alpine plants

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Perennial types

• herbs
• bulbs
• ornamental grasses

• water plants
• ferns

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Planning Design

• research
• visit nurseries, gardens
• neighbors
• consider time

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Planning Design

• yourself/professional
• consider site
• environment

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Stats for The Dalles

• USDA Hardiness Zone 6-7
• microclimates/frost dates
• annual precipitation 14
• soils sandy loam/silty loam

climate summary at http//www.ocs.orst.edu/
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Design principles

• balance
• contrast
• repetition

• harmony
• unity
• dominance

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Design Elements

• flower
• fragrance

• color
• texture

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Design Elements

• bloom time
• seasonal interest

• function
• mature size

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Formal Design

• symmetrical shaped beds
• straight lines

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Informal Design

• asymmetrical shaped beds
• free-flowing beds

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Low Maintenance

• non-invasive
• resistant
• sturdy stems

• adaptable
• short/long life span

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Do a design

• sketch out
• use a garden hose
• consider hydrozones

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Site considerations

• existing features
• viewpoint

• soil
• sun/shade
• wind
• bed/border

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Plant material

• nurseries, greenhouse
• seeds
• neighbors
• mail order

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Soil

• provides nutrients
• improves aeration
• address drainage concerns

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Soil

• add organic matter
• 1/2-1/3
• improve water holding capacity

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Prepare the hole

• twice as wide as container, same depth
• amend with soil

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Containers

• check out roots
• avoid planting dry root balls

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Following planting

• water new plants in well
• irrigation type
• root stimulant optional
• mychorrhizae

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Mychorrizae
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Watering plants

• water deeply less often
• avoid water on foliage
• once established, as needed

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Drip line
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Irrigation Test

• dig down 6-8
• ball up soil

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Using Mulch

• reduce weeds/weed cloth
• prevents desiccation
• prevents erosion

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Using Mulch

• covers bare ground
• 2-5 deep
• types

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Maintenance

• fertilization
• weeding
• cutting back

• transplanting
• dividing

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Maintenance

• winter watering ?
• pest management
• reapply mulch as needed

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Fertilizing

• avoid direct contact with the roots
• wait for establishment
• increase the amount of nutrients available to the
  plant

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Fertilizing

• spring feeding
• avoid late summer, early fall feedings
• slow-release, phosphate

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Weeding

• weed cloth
• mulch
• within a bed

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Cutting back

• encourage repeat bloom
• promote new growth
• control size

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Transplanting

• in spring or fall
• redesigning
• mislocation

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Why divide?

• decline in vigor
• becomes invasive
• for propagation

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How to divide

• every 3-5 years
• early spring, late summer
• dig around drip line
• avoid root damage

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Propagation

• seeds
• stem cuttings
• root cuttings
• grafting(advanced)

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Seeding

• cover with thin layer of soil
• repot when larger

• light soil
• moisten soil
• sprinkle seeds

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Stem cuttings

• in morning
• cut 3-5
• remove bottom leaves

• dip in hormone
• place 1/2-1/3 in soil
• clear plastic

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Root cuttings

• 1/4 wide roots, 3-4 long
• when plant is dormant

• plant upright
• when growth is seen transplant

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Other uses

• cut flowers
• dried flowers

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Website

• http//oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/