When Pigs Fly
Some chores really are perennial, like spring cleaning. Especially in the perennial garden.
Quote unquote easy low maintenance perennials are a joke. If the plants themselves don't require much work, the soil they grow in still does. Hence my sentiment born of blisters and aching back. Truthfully now, even the easiest of the low maintenance plants still require a modicum of care; add more than a couple together and you've got some time to invest.
No matter what you are growing, the soil is an ongoing living process of renewal and improvement. So, the dump truck load of mulch is here, so is the dump truck load of horse manure compost. If that's not work cut out for me I don't know what is! But rather than deal with the heavy stuff I'll turn to the lighter tasks of snipping and tidying the perennials any day. First things first!
I did manage to do battle with the big ornamental grasses earlier, before they could shatter and blow all over like wisps of tan trashy litter. Already I can see the new leaves poking up through the debris. I wish they would hurry because the old base looks so ugly against the bright spring greenery.
Now I turn to the other residents in the borders. The big spectabilis type sedums (also called showy stonecrop) are easy to work with, just remove the old stems and their flat topped flower heads, being careful not to damage the little cabbages at the base. I should divide these this spring and make more because they do so well here in this dry sunny garden. They are easy as pie to cut up and propagate, too.
Next the boltonia, bushels of stems fallen flat yet still perfectly aligned! Armful by armful I move that aside to reveal slightly smothered daylilies and other treasures trying bravely to push their way up to the light. Good thing I haven't waited much longer in this oddly warm spring!
Next the endless masses of purple coneflowers, so vibrant all summer with the constant motion of butterflies. Oddly these are quiet in spring, the spent stems come away easily in my hand and there is no sign of life yet at the crown. I mark their spots with giant hairpin markers so I don't forget them. I know what those unpromising buried purplish red knots can do -- self sown and unbidden yet so welcome in July.
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