Herbaceous Plants Annuals Biennials Perennials Bulbs
Old Fashioned Gardens
Annuals Complete growth in single year/growing season Have long blooming periods Can provide supplemental color or temporary planting May include biennials & perennials which are not winter hardy
Annuals
Annuals Heat resistant annuals
Biennials Requires 2 growing seasons to complete life cycle Grow strong plant during first season Bloom, self-seed & die during second season
Perennials Rebloom each year Live through the winter, if hardy for geography Tend to have short blooming periods Echinacea
Bulbs Self-contained, highly developed food storage mechanisms adapted to living underground True bulbs, corms, tubers, tuberous roots and rhizomes
Role of Annuals, Perennials & Bulbs in the Garden Splashes of color and texture Flowers &/or foliage Uses: Borders, accents or masses Beds Ground covers Fence/trellis covers Butterfly attractions Container plantings Fragrance providers Cut flowers
Annuals for Foliage Ipomoea 'Marguerite' Sweet Potato Vine Coleus
Annuals to Attract Butterflies Penstemon eatonii
Perennials to Attract Butterflies Lobelia cardinalis
Annuals for Cut Flowers Gomphrena globosa (globe amaranth) Delphinium
Preparation of Flower Beds
Preparation of Flower Beds Key factor in success of plantings Dig to depth of at least 12 Incorporate 4-6 of organic matter Compost or aged leaf mulch Have soil tested to determine need for additional amendments Best done in fall
Choosing the Right Plants for the Site Seasonal Compatibility -Blooms/produces foliage during desired period -Seasonal temperature averages appropriate -Cool season plants -Tender plants -Heat loving plants
Tender Plants Impatiens walleriana
Heat Resistant Plants Mirabilis jalapa or Four O'clock Portulaca
Choosing the Right Plants for the Site Impact compatibility -Desired colors & textures of flowers/foliage -Appropriate growth pattern (height/spread)
Choosing the Right Plants for the Site Compatibility with existing site elements: -Light level-amount of daily sunlight -duration & intensity -Sun-loving plants (6+hours of sun) -Shade-loving plants (<2 hours direct sun) -Heat level- adjacent pavement/buildings - Dampness -Soil structure or composition/drainage
Perennials that Grow in Water Cattails
Annuals for Partial Shade Nicotiana Begonia
Perennials for Partial Shade Dicentra spectabilis Bleeding Heart Astilbe Chinensis Taquetti
Planting Annuals & Perennials -Select appropriate plants for existing site elements -Group plants for similar water requirements -Plan layout on paper before planting -consider height, color, time of bloom, spread -Groupings of three or more make a more impressive appearance
Planting Annuals & Perennials -Growing from seed (indoors or out) -Use seed packaged for current year -Soil temperature 60+ -Thin out seedlings -Handle seedlings gently when transplanting -Plant at proper depth in well prepared soil -Irrigate transplants with starter solution -Install stakes for tall-type plants -Keep watered -Mulch bed before first spring blooms
New Flower Bed!!
Planting Annuals & Perennials Annuals: Set out most in spring after last frost date Perennials: Best planting times: Spring-late summer/fall blooming Fall- spring blooming
Culture & Maintenance of Annuals & Perennials -Deadhead regularly & cut back as needed -Irrigate from the beginning -do not let dry out or overwater -Fertilize regularly -Annuals: supplemental slow release type -Perennials: 5-10-5 at 6 week intervals -Pull weeds by hand
Culture & Maintenance of Annuals & Perennials -Check for pests and plant disease -Fall preparation for winter -Annuals: remove dead plants with foliage -Perennials: -remove dead foliage & cut back as appropriate -water deeply if soil is dry -apply winter mulch after several hard freezes (remove mulch as new growth begins)
Bulbs True bulb- almost complete embryo encased in modified fleshy leaves
Bulbs Corm- base of stem swollen with nutrients; has basal plate example: crocus, gladiolus
Bulbs TuberUnderground stem that stores food, with no leaf covering or basal plate (knobby surface with growth bud eyes) example: Tuberous begonia
Bulbs Tuberous rootswollen food-storing root (bud eyes at base of stem) example: day lily, dahlia
Bulbs Rhizome- Thickened underground stem that grows horizontally, with bud eyes on top, roots below example: German Iris; lily of the valley
Bulb Planting -Select bulbs carefully (flower bud already developed) -Plant in full sun with good site drainage Hardy, spring-flowering: In Fall Hardy, fall-flowering: In August Tender, summer-flowering: In late spring Lilies : In late fall -Before planting incorporate 5-10-5 and organic matter into the soil -Check planting depth for type (usually 2.5-3 x diameter in depth) -Mulch after planting
Bulb Care & Maintenance -Water as appropriate during growing season -Immediately after blooming: -Deadhead -Fertilize -Remove stems & foliage after they have turned yellow -Move bulbs only after foliage has faded -Store in cool (50-60 degree) dry place with good air circulation -Store rhizomes, tuber & tuberous roots in peat or vermiculite
Tools of the Trade
Tools of the Trade!
Bulb Care & Maintenance -Water as appropriate during growing season -Immediately after blooming: -Deadhead -Fertilize -Remove stems & foliage after they have turned yellow -Move bulbs only after foliage has faded -Store in cool (50-60 degree) dry place with good air circulation -Store rhizomes, tubers & tuberous roots in peat or vermiculite