Many popular gardening publications discuss the "low maintenance" aspects of perennial gardens and how your landscape can be breathtaking yet require almost no physical effort. Gee...what is wrong with this statement?
Well, I hate to upset anyone, but those perennial gardens have their share of ills and troubles just like all other plants. And sometimes, contrary to popular belief, they don't always come back.
Unlike annuals which complete their entire life cycle in one growing season and biennials which take two, perennials usually live beyond two years. Some perennials though, are considered short-lived and often die out for no apparent reason after a few years. Some examples of these types are Lobelia cardinalis or cardinal flower, and some of the Digitalis or foxglove species. The cardinal flower requires a rich, moist soil and might be considered a demanding plant,but its glowing, late summer beauty makes it well worth the effort as well as its propensity for reseeding. The foxglove does best in partial shade in areas of high heat and humidity, and it fills our gardens with color during spring into the summer. One sure way to shorten a foxglove's life is to place it in too wet or too dry soil.
Paying attention to your plants' requirements is one way to ensure their longevity. Some plants do best in well-drained, even dry conditions and a few of these types are:
To plant the above plants in cool, moist conditions is often certain death.
Other plants prefer moist to wet soil and some examples of these types are:
Some plants prefer a lean diet and will become prone to disease and suffer an early death if fertilized too generously. Several examples of these types are:
Other plants are susceptible to certain diseases anyway and its a good idea to keep an eye on the following:
Finally, there are those plants which are a delicacy for some critters such as rabbits, deer, and insects. Below are a few plants worth noting:
Eventhough some perennials may develop problems, they are still well worth the effort and yours may never have any type of malady or pest anyway. Here are a few hints which will help you lengthen the life of your perennial plants:
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