Issue Date: April 7, 2002
Perennials: An offering of hopefulness
Each year, these resilient plants show us the strength and joy that come with new life.
By Fran Sorin
Get more tips from Sorin, who operates a garden design business in Philadelphia, at FranSorin.com
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What is it about perennials that causes gardeners to rhapsodize? Perennials, plants that return year after year indefinitely, offer money- and time-saving benefits, because we don't have to keep replanting them. But something much more profound takes place when we nestle them into the soil: Our collective unconscious connects with nature, understanding at some level the reason we were placed on this Earth.
By observing the life cycle of these plants -- blooming, thriving, wilting and "dying," only to be reborn the next year -- we attempt to put order and meaning into our own lives. Planting perennials lets us experience a sense of optimism. And there are plenty of positive thinkers out there: 70% of U.S. households do some type of gardening, and 28.9 million households bought perennials last year.
This January and February, when springlike weather cropped up in much of the country, we saw our spring bulbs and perennial plants peek through the earth at least a month earlier than usual. We welcomed them back from what felt like an endless separation.
Over time, I've developed some tips for reaping the benefits of these beautiful plants:
Select perennials that are hardy for your climate (ask at your local garden center if you're unsure), are not fussy about soil and watering, and are appropriate for the spot where you intend to plant them (a "sunny location" really means six hours of direct sunlight a day).
Purchase a perennial not only for its flowers, but for its shape, height, texture and leaf color. Unlike annuals, perennials won't bloom throughout the season.
Cut your perennial wish list in half, even after you think you've narrowed it down to its bare bones. I've found my gardens are much more beautiful if I use less variety and larger numbers of one type of specimen. My rule of thumb is to have at least seven of one kind of perennial planted in one location.
Place your potted perennials on the exact spot where you plan to plant them to see if your design works and make changes, if necessary, before planting.
Plant perennials closer together than the label calls for. Overplanting will make the garden sumptuous and help keep weeds to a minimum.
Arrange the plants in a wavelike fashion, with one type of perennial blending into another, giving a sense of movement.
Mulch after planting, and water for about 45 minutes (a drip system is preferable) three times a week early in the morning or in the evening until the perennials have adjusted to their surroundings (at least a week).
We gardeners have a unique relationship with our perennials. We try to give our little pals a good foundation from which to grow and multiply. We feed and water them, observe their growth, cajole them into blooming and take care of them when they're sick. And much like a parent, we offer discipline. When they become unruly, we cut our perennials back and divide them (which gives us several more plants) to maintain their health and vigor. We deadhead them so every species can parade its blooms for the longest period possible.
The power of perennials is revealed in how they affect the spirit. They soften our hearts and help us make connections to others. In a world that hungers for optimism, joy and kindness, these plants teach us about all those things and more. They tell us that beauty, generosity and replenishment do exist on this Earth.
Because of their influence, we humans have the potential to tread here with just a bit more simplicity and grace.
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Five easy-to-grow, hardy perennials
These plants add color, texture and shape to a garden; thrive for most of the growing season; are resistant to disease; and aren't finicky about the type of soil in which they are planted. Although not "drought resistant," they have done beautifully in my garden for several years with minimal watering. They are truly "tough plants for tough times." Note: The zone numbers refer to the USDA's national map of gardening climates.
1) Heuchera micrantha 'Palace Purple' (coral bells). This low-growing plant can be showcased in the front of a border. Stunning in combination with red, soft purple, blue or yellow flowers. Can be used effectively in both sun and partial shade. Zones 6-8.
2) Knautia macedonica (scabiosa-like flower). Blooms profusely (if dead-headed) from late spring until frost. Spreads rapidly. Attracts bees. I use it en masse in my garden to complement my soft-pink digitalis (foxgloves) and echinacea. Zones 5-9.
3) Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (reed grass). Can be grown in sun or partial shade. Can be invasive in moist soil. Especially beautiful in the fall with its seed heads blowing in the breeze. Can be cut back to the ground in spring. Zones 6-9.
4) Macleya cordata (plume poppy). One of the most attractive foliage plants available. Can be grown in sun or partial shade. Spreads rapidly and is capable of growing as tall as 8 feet. I use it in the back of my borders for height and depth. Zones 4-9.
5) Eupatorium fistulosum (joe-pye weed). Blooms from midsummer through fall in sun and partial shade. Loves moisture. Grows 5 to 6 feet tall. Can be invasive in moist soil; divide every few years. Attractive to butterflies. Zones 3-8.
Photo by ROWHOUSE PICTURES for USA WEEKEND
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