If you take care of your perennials properly, the plants will usually give you great pleasure for many years. We will explain how you can ensure that the splendor in your perennial bed is always in good health.

In the warm season, perennials must be watered regularly

water perennials

In the first year after planting, perennials need a little more attention when it comes to watering. Water plants as needed (more intensively in prolonged heat/drought, less in rain).

Once the perennials are established, they are mostly self-sufficient and you only need to intervene more during heat waves in summer. Then it is advisable to water the plants once or twice a week - early in the morning or late in the evening.

Important: only ever water the roots! Be careful not to wet the leaves, otherwise there is a risk of fungal attack.

Fertilize perennials

A sufficient supply of nutrients is very important for perennials, especially since flowering takes a lot of energy.

  • Work compost or long-term fertilizer into the soil in spring
  • Help with deficiency symptoms or poor flowering with fast-acting liquid fertilizer
  • do not administer anything from August (otherwise perennials will become more sensitive to cold)

cut perennials

Whether you prune your perennials in autumn or spring is ultimately up to you. Both variants are compatible for the plants and have their advantages.

Fall:

  • Stems are still taut
  • Perennials sprout again in spring (if possible, new shoots do not want to come into contact with the scissors)

Spring:

  • many perennials retain attractive infructescence over the winter (enchanting ornament for the garden or balcony, especially when covered with hoarfrost or snow)
  • dried infructescences serve as food for birds and insects

Further care measures

Here we want to summarize further - perennial-specific - care measures:

  • loosen soil
  • Remove faded

loosen soil

To ensure that the perennials can easily absorb water and nutrients, you should regularly loosen the soil around your plants with a rake. Otherwise, a crusted or muddy soil will result.

Caution: Always prick flat so as not to damage the roots!

Remove faded

It is worth removing wilted flowers before seed formation begins. Then it is likely that the perennials will reward you with a second bloom.

  1. Prune perennials to a hand's breadth above the ground.
  2. Add liquid fertilizer (fertilize moderately!).
  3. Water regularly.

A few weeks later, the plants are in bloom again.

Final Notes

  • You should support tall perennials.
  • Most perennials are hardy and do not need winter protection. Only some species should be specifically protected against the influences of the cool season.

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Herbs