NOTES ON PERENNIAL PLANTS, SOME HINTS ON THEIR CULTIVATION

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 289, 22 August 1957, Page 5

NOTES ON PERENNIAL PLANTS, SOME HINTS ON THEIR CULTIVATION

(By

Flora)

Tlie defiiiition of an herbaceous perennial is a plant whieh has permanent roots, but sends up fresh growths each season. This is in eontrast to the habit of shrubs, whieli keep the old stems and send out new growths from the old woody parts. Perennials may grow from tubers, bulbs, rootstocks or stools, whieh each year produce flower-stems and dle down again to the grouna. It is usual in a small garden, wliere

space is limited, to interplant these with tlowering shrubs. In large gardens, entire borders are somenmes given over to the growing of differenr varieties of perennials. These can be very effective throughout the summejand autumn. REPLANT NOW As perennials die down annually, they are easy to lift and move in the dormant season. They are also easily increased, since most of them deveiop larger and larger roots, whieli may he split into several portions. Lifting and dividing need he done only every third year or so. By then the elumps have hecome very large, with only the outer ring of growtli doing at all well. Perennials are greedy plants, and unless they make satisfactory growth they will not llower well. Consequently, the bed in whieh they are to flower must be enriclied with a good eompost and a liberal dressing of blood and bone. Plahting is not recommended during the winter months, but the job of dividing and replating may he cornmeiiced now. Wide and varied is the clioice that may be made, tall or dwarf, with a wonderfiil range of colour. Height of individual plants is an important point to be 1 lorne in mind when planting. SPAC ING OF PLANTS The distance apart is governed hy tlie eventual size and habit of each plant. For the low-growing ones, to be used for the front of the border, nine to 12 inches apart is sufficient. For such plants as plilox, pyreprims and heleniums, 18 to 24 inches apart is usual, while tlie larger plants such

as lupin, delphiniums and helianthus will require two to three feet. Certain of the taller plants shotild he placed in tlie middle of the border, not all confined to the back, to avoid a flat effect. A stone and paved edging to the border will allow- the marginal plants to spread, and so break an otherwise formal line. Divide the roots carefully, choose the freshest and newesfc growths with some fibrous roots attached; these pieces will generally be foiind at the outer edge of the clump. Avoid as much as possible the practice of iilanting single speciinens. Tliere is an excuse in the case of a clioice plant from whieh you wish to raise an adequate stock, but there is noiio when, after division, you have a good supply of a particular variety. wliich sliould he planfed in groups. Effective grouping is oue of tlie seerets of an artistic garden. Plant firinly, see that the hole is large enougli to take the roots easily, spreading the roots wliere possible.