New to perennials

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I planted a bunch of perennials last year, and most of them came back in spring and are growing well. Some are still not blooming though, but look like they probably will (black eyed susan; phlox; mums). Some of the ones that are blooming now have very small blooms, scraggly, etc. (veronica; coreopsis;) They are all suitable to the type of sun I get in those areas and I composted/mulched everything well in spring. I water when they look like they need watering. I don't know what else I can do for them.

My question is, do perennials normally take a few years to reach their full potential? Is it just a waiting game?

Featured Answer

roxanna

9 years ago

First year perennials are getting settled in, and don't show much action. Second year, they begin to improve. Third year, they probably will be what you originally expected. That's the old adage: "first year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap".

Hang in there and don't worry. Be careful not to smother with mulch especially around the stem. Check for water needs by sticking your finger into the soil and see how moist it is/isn't (one or two inches down). Over-watering is generally more harmful than under-watering.

Good luck and enjoy your garden! This is a great place for advice. I've been gardening with perennials for fifty years, 20 in this location (central MA). I really need to downsize now, but at least I am not still enlarging my 20+ gardens!! LOL.

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Comments (8)

Patti (z6a ON Canada)
Original Author
9 years ago
People like you sure are a valuable resource Roxanna!

Oh yes, I did hear that adage before. That makes me feel better then.

Interesting you say that about mulch. I put mulch down on my whole back garden (trying to avoid it too close to the plant stems) and now most of my 15+ hostas (and daylilies) get slugs/snails on them! Even the slug resistant hostas!! All my beloved hostas have holes in them! I am out there every night now with my ammonia spray! Do you think it's the mulch, together with the wet spring/early summer (in Ontario anyway)?
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
there is no such thing a a slug resistant hosta... trust me on that.. all marketing mumbo jumbo .. lol

just reading between the lines.. you have some level of instant gratification needs ...

the garden is the place to go zen.. and let things happen on their own time frame ...

as long as they arent dead .. you are ahead of the game .. lol ...

with perennials.. think of it as a root mass .. rather than what you see above ...

the bigger the root mass you buy.. the faster it gets moving ...

but i used to say.. i have more time than money.. so i would buy small.. and just give them the year or two they need .. to get the root mass they need.. to knock your socks off ...

oohhhhmmmmmm

ken
Patti (z6a ON Canada) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Patti (z6a ON Canada)
Original Author
9 years ago
So no hostas are really safe from slugs? Why doesn't that surprise me. Funny thing is my hostas planted in the front garden (north facing) are not getting any slugs this year. Just the back hostas (south facing). Wonder why this is?
roxanna
9 years ago
Slugs like warmer conditions? Just kidding.

Supposedly slugs will not cross over a barrier made of real copper, like a band around the plant, or copper mesh. I have not tried either, but it might be worth a try.
Patti (z6a ON Canada) thanked roxanna
barbarag_happy
9 years ago
I don't mulch under the canopy of hosts; instead I neatly tuck in great hanks of golden retriever hair. Slugs cannot navigate it...

I've heard sharp sand can be used the same way but I don't have a beach. Just the 3 dogs!
Patti (z6a ON Canada) thanked barbarag_happy
gardenweed_z6a
9 years ago
Hi patti,

I'm in north central CT. I moved here (originally) when I was age 11; moved back in 2005. I designed my garden beds on paper (in a sketchbook) and went to work prepping the soil. I knew my parents practiced organic gardening so the soil was healthy. Once I had my garden bed designs complete I started winter sowing perennials to plant in the beds. I also traded with other gardenweb members for seeds & plants. My garden beds have been complete for about 5 years. They're thriving and beautiful.

Perennial rule of thumb: first year they sleep; second year they creep; third year they leap. My seed-grown Hypericum/St. John's wort is mature and covered with blooms this year as are my Platycodon/balloon flowers, Leucanthemum/Shasta daisy, Salvia/Meadow sage, Persicaria virginiana/fleeceflower among dozens of others.

So, to answer your question, yes it's a waiting game but the results are well worth the wait.
Patti (z6a ON Canada) thanked gardenweed_z6a
laceyvail 6A, WV
9 years ago
Sluggo or EscarGo works great for slugs. I use it regularly in my heavily mulched, organic veggie garden.
Patti (z6a ON Canada) thanked laceyvail 6A, WV