Plant Perennials Now

By Linda Wilson, Bedford Master Gardener, October 2010

October is the month when Tidewater gardeners have their best window of opportunity to successfully establish perennials that will thrive the following growing season and beyond. When well planted in the fall, perennials have enough time to establish their root systems before the first killing frost.

A few basic guidelines will guarantee the outcome you want:

Choose healthy plants and, if your budget permits, opt for gallon-size specimens. These will develop more quickly and fill your space faster. Prepare your holes correctly. They should be twice as wide as they are deep to allow for lateral root growth. Use compost liberally but not exclusively in filling the holes. This is a prime chance for soil amendment. Poorly draining soils benefit from the addition of very fine gravel. Soils poor in organic mat- ter need heavy doses of compost worked well into existing clay or other compacted “dirt” you have. Do not use any fertilizer on fall planted perennials. It is too late in the year to promote growth that will be frozen off when the temperatures drop. Mulch up to two inches with a light mulch (shredded hardwood, pine straw, small pine bark nuggets), taking care to keep mulch away from the crown of the plant.

Water liberally. Newly-planted perennials will require frequent watering to promote root spread. (The excep- tion may be lavender, other Mediterranean herbs, plants with silvery foliage and others noted as needing little wa- ter. (Use a moisture meter or check soil manually to ensure overwatering is not occurring. Too much moisture will lead to root rot.

Although it is too late to do this now for fall planting, this is a good time to get soil tests of your garden beds done in preparation for spring planting. Perennials prefer a pH of 6 to 6.5. (There are pH test kits available at gar- den stores.). Soil tests are also useful in pointing out nutrient deficiencies in your gardens.

Choosing Perennials

Planting perennials well ensures success only if the right plant has been chosen for the right space. Xeriscaping, or creatively using landscaping to con- serve water usage, is a movement that is building mo- mentum as long, dry summers are experienced in ar- eas of the country that have been used to more abun- dant rainfall during the growing season. Southeast- ern Virginia is no exception. Among the most popu- lar plants that can survive on infrequent waterings are Lantana, Coreopsis, Verbena, Russian Sage, Provence Lavender, Catmint, Yarrow, Butterfly Weed, False Indigo, Gaura, species and hybrids Daylily and Black- eyed Susan. For a more extensive listing please see Clemson Cooperative Extension Publication: www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/1153.