5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planting Perennials

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Created: Friday, 26 May 2023 10:01

Now that your perennial gardens have awakened after their winter rest, you can see where you might need to fill in some empty spaces. Late spring is a great time to get new perennials started.

Sometimes, your perennials might not thrive as much as you had hoped. Chances are you've overlooked something they need. Here are 5 perennial gardening mistakes to avoid:

Mistake 1: Putting perennials in the wrong spot.
You must take the plant's light requirements and soil preferences into account.

Mistake 2: Neglecting Maintenance
While perennials don't require a lot of work, there are still a few things you need to remember, such as deadheading, or removing dead flowers, and dividing your plants every three years or so.

Mistake 3: Mulching Too Much or Too Little
You need a 3-inch layer of organic mulch, but you need to keep the mulch 2-3 inches away from the crown of each plant.

Mistake 4: Planting Too Close
Crowded perennials create conditions that encourage disease. When planting, pay attention to the width and height the plant is expected to reach.

Mistake 5: Not Staking Tall Stems
Some perennials need help standing, particularly those with long, thin stems. To keep them upright, stake them early in the season.