Hoelterhoff's Nursery

PERENNIALS:

Tips for planting Perennials

  • Perennials can be planted at any time of the year except when the ground is too frozen to dig a hole.
  • It is important to give newly planted Perennials a good home.  Perennials prefer a well-drained soil rich in organic matter.  Prepare the first few inches of soil by adding peat moss, mushroom compost, bark fines or composted manure.  Taking time to prepare the space will help your perennials thrive.
  • Most perennials grow and fill in rather quickly.  It is good to follow the recommended spacing on young plants so they will not be crowded once they have grown and matured.
  • Follow the light recommendation.  Perennials that prefer shade will suffer in the sun and those that prefer sun will not thrive in the shade.  Determine the type of lighting your space has and chose accordingly.  A Perennial requiring full sun needs at least 6 hours of bright, uninterrupted light each day.  Partial sun/partial shade means 3-6 hours of sun or filtered sun each day.  And shade is little to no sun.
  • Before digging, leave the Perennials in their pots arrange them in your garden space.  Move them around and tweak your design if needed.
  • Tease the roots of the Perennials before planting.  Perennials and annuals are usually grown in smaller containers and can easily get root bound.  Teasing the roots will encourage new roots to form.
  • A sprinkling of water does not produce the deep roots that Perennials crave.  Instead, water Perennials deeply to encourage root growth.  Do the 24 hour test check to see if you are watering enough or too much.  Water the Perennials right when you plant them, then 24 hours later, dig down a few inches next to your new plant and see how much water the soil is holding.  You are going for a well-drained soil, moist but not soggy.  If the soil is soggy, hold off on watering for a day and then check again.  If it is dry, then water again.  Pay attention to your plant and watch for signs of wilting, dry leaves or droopy stems.  If you are a new gardener, observing and doing the soil check will help you understand what your plants need and when.
  • Just like people, Perennials are living things and need to eat.  Fertilize established Perennials with Mushroom Compost, Composted Manure, slow release granules, or triple super phosphate.

Tips for dividing Perennials

  • Most Perennials can and should be divided after a few years in the ground.  Dividing Perennials gives the roots more space to grow and helps the plant perform better.
  • Chose an overcast, cloudy day to divide perennials.  This will help keep the Perennials from drying out.
  • Dig up the parent plant using a sharp spade.
  • Gently life the plant out of the ground
  • Separate the plant by cutting it in two with a sharp knife or spade.
  • Replant immediately.  If you are not able to replant right away then keep the Perennials shaded and moist until they are replanted.
  • Divide fall blooming perennials in the spring and divide spring and summer blooming perennials in the fall.

ANNUALS:

Tips for planting Annuals

  • Few annuals will withstand the cooler spring weather we typically experience in the Midwest.  Snapdragons and Pansys are usually the first annuals to arrive in April, along with cold hardy vegetable plants such as artichokes, broccoli and cauliflower.  The time for planting more tender Annuals and Vegetables is around Mother’s Day in the middle of May.  If you chose to plant your Annuals before the cold weather passes, you’ll need to watch the weather and be sure to cover them up with a row cover or an old sheet at night.  This will help protect against the cold air and frost we sometimes still get in late April.  Any container Annuals can be brought in at night and set back out again during the day.
  • Check plant tags for light requirements.  A sun-loving Annual needs at least 6 hours of bright, uninterrupted light each day.  Partial sun/partial shade means 3-6 hours of sun or filtered sun each day.  And shade is little to no sun.
  • Annuals prefer a well-drained soil rich in organic matter.  Amend the top few inches of your soil with Peat Moss, Mushroom Compost or a good Garden Mix to help your Annuals thrive.  Our custom made Garden Mix is perfect for flower and vegetable plants!
  • Set out plants close to the recommended spacing requirements.  This will allow the plants to flourish and spread quickly.  Planting Annuals is not an exact science.  Do what looks good for your garden space or container.  If the plant tag indicates petunias should be spaced 12” apart, realize it isn’t going to hurt the plant if you space them at 6” apart.  Just remember, an annual grows from seed to maturity in one season.  They are made to spread quickly.
  • Annuals have shallow root systems which means most will need to be watered every day, especially if they are in the sun where they can dry out quickly.  If it rains enough to soak into the ground, you may not need to water.  Check the top two inches of soil to see if your Annuals are getting enough water.  If it’s wet, no need to water.  If it’s dry, then give them a drink.  Plants grown in a container or hanging basket tend to dry out quicker than those planted in the ground.
  • Create a regular fertilizing schedule for your Annuals.  Use a water soluble or liquid fertilizer on a regular basis.  These fertilizers are typically applied once every week to two weeks.  Check the product you use for specific directions.  A fertilizer with a high phosphate will create more blooms.  Remember, Annuals only last one year.  Feed these plants on a regular basis to get the best results.
  • Most Annuals die back after the first frost, which is usually around the end of October.  Some, like Dianthus, may reseed themselves and will come back the following spring.