You saw the sun didn’t you? Dug out a pair of shorts and a comfortable t-shirt and even contemplated wearing flip-flops too huh? And then you went outside to enjoy that wonderful warm weather only to catch a disappointing glimpse of your withered flower garden. And the planting itch set in.
It happens every year. We see that first glimpse of Spring after a long, bitter Winter and we just can’t help ourselves. We want to plant…something….anything…as if to signify our hibernation is finally over and welcome Spring with wide blooming arms. And then we remember, we live in Arkansas. And this glimpse of Spring is just a glimpse. Somewhere out there is another frost, just waiting to surprise us and ruin our planting dreams. Still, the itch is hard to resist. So what do you do?
Well, don’t fret. We have a solution for you. Though the colorful annuals we want so badly to plant a little too early each year might perish under an unexpected freeze, a perennial will merely laugh at that cold snap.
Here’s the beautiful thing about perennials and Spring. They actually prefer to be planted in the Spring. The rule of thumb is the earlier you plant them, the better the root system will be when Winter rolls back around. And perennials come back year after year after year. It’s a win/win. Plus, by opting for a perennial when that planting itch sets in, you don’t have to worry about replacing the plant when that unexpected frost does rear its unwelcomed head.
Now here’s where perennials and annuals are alike. They both have specific planting requirements that you simply must not ignore when choosing your plants. So let the plant’s tag be your guide. Take note of light requirements and make sure you choose plants that will grow best in your flower bed. Then consider height and width of each plant, which can also be found on the plant’s tag. Place your taller plants in the back of your flower bed so they don’t hide your shorter plants. And don’t ignore the spacing requirements. The plant may be small in width now, but just like your children, they grow up very fast and always seem to demand their own space. Lastly, leave some room for those annuals you love for when the fear of frost has subsided.
And here’s a quick tip for planting perennials from containers. Plant them the same depth they were grown in the container. If you plant them too high, the plant could dry out. Plant them too low and you might be fighting crown rot. And water the plant just before you plant them.
Here’s a list of perennials we carry at Parks Brothers to help you satisfy your Planting Itch.
Ok that’s it. You can quit scratching now and get to planting! Come on, say it with me – Bring on the Spring!!!