Herbaceous Perennials to Cherish - Part 2
| Published: 4th September 2007 10:43 |
As mentioned before, my love of herbaceous perennials knows no bounds and I love nothing more than propagating, nursing and handling border plants. It is fair to say that my garden is a ‘plantsman's garden', as opposed to one ordained by strict garden design principles. Put simply, if I like a plant, I grow it and place it.
The late, great Christopher Lloyd, who developed the attractive garden at Great Dixter in Surrey, was one who adopted the philosophy of "If you like it, grow it!" and he did not follow ‘rules'. I have often felt that gardens and the plants grown in them are intensely personal and reflect the gardener's love of gardening and the plants in the garden.
Continuing the theme of my favourite plants, here is another article on ‘herbaceous plants to cherish'. Let us hope that you will be able to share my love of the plants and pleasure in seeing them grow and flower.
One of the beauties of growing herbaceous perennials is that, with care and loving attention, they will survive for years, giving endless hours of pleasure, as we sit outside in the garden, languidly watching as bees and butterflies visit the blooms, disappear for a while, then return to enjoy the benefits of the pollen.
As the herbaceous perennials grow, they will need a little attention to maintain their attractiveness but a little effort brings great rewards. Early in the plants' development, place canes or twigs to hold the plants upright - a little unsightly at first but soon masked by the plants' continued growth. Dead-head flowers regularly to prolong flowering and keep plants tidy.
Eupatorium
Eupatorium, or ‘Joe Pye Weed' is an attractive plant to bees and butterflies and can reach 2m (6ft.) in height. It prefers a damper soil, although it will survive in a dry area. The wet summer of 2007 has ensured that growth on the eupatorium has been prolific. As the plant grows taller, it is advisable to support it with canes, twigs or other materials, as it may be damaged by heavy rain or high winds.
Eupatorium is a very attractive plant for bees and butterflies and the sight of a Red Admiral butterfly on the flowers is a sight to behold!
Propagation of eupatorium is by softwood cuttings in summer or by division in spring or autumn.
Fortunately, eupatorium is not afflicted by many pests but slugs on young plants and red spider mite and whitefly may cause trouble in humid conditions. If eupatorium is left in a container, ensure that the container is regularly watered.
Canna
This has to be one of the most striking plants in any flower border, its dominant majesty drawing the eye from distance. In addition to the vibrant flowers, the ornamental foliage is architecturally beautiful. Canna can grow to 1.2m (4 ft.) tall and spread to 60cm (2ft).
Best situated in a warm, sunny spot, in humus-rich soil, the canna will flower throughout summer and into autumn. Frost tender, it needs to be lifted or protected if temperatures drop in winter to below ten degrees Centigrade (50 degrees Fahrenheit). The damp of autumn and winter could also be detrimental, causing rotting at the extreme, so a mulch and covering of fleece or Hessian in the cold, dark months would be beneficial..
Propagation is by division in spring or, if the grower is prepared to be patient, by seed sown at about 20 degrees centigrade (68 degrees Fahrenheit). The seed coat of canna is very hard, so it will need to be scarified (rubbed with sandpaper) or, alternatively, soaked for twenty-four hours in water to soften the testa or outer skin.
Japanese anemone
Anemone Japonica, or anemone X Hybrida is one of the most prolific and sturdy late summer blooms. As can be seen from the photograph, there are still many buds still to open and the plant should be in flower well into autumn. It can grow to 1.5m (5ft.) and spread 60cm (2ft.), so it will need plenty of room. Against a wall, as in this example, it is vigorous and hardy. Varieties of colour include white and pink and it generally - but not always - is true to colour from seed sown in spring or late summer. Propagation may also be achieved by taking softwood cuttings in summer or by division in spring or autumn. Occasionally - and I have achieved some success with this - root cuttings may be obtained in winter.
Rudbeckia
Another late summer-flowering perennial plant, rudbeckia - the coneflower or ‘black-eyed Susan' - has a ‘stand-out' quality not to be missed. Most grow to about 1m (3ft.), although it is possible to find shorter-growing varieties such as ‘Rustic Dwarf', which grows to a maximum height of 60cm (2ft.). At the other extreme, Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Golden Glow' can reach 2m (6ft.), so look carefully before choosing your variety!
Useful as a cut flower, Rudbeckia is a classic ‘cut and come again' plant which thrives on dead-heading. It is equally at home in sun or shade and will tolerate both dry and damp conditions. Most varieties are single, daisy-like flowers but ‘Goldquelle' has double flowers which are bright yellow. Propagation is by division in spring or by seed in autumn or spring. The only slightly sad thing about Rudbeckia is that it heralds the shorter days of autumn but grown en masse - space permitting - it is a sight to behold.
© Martin Horne
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