How to Celebrate Perennial Gardening Month

Perennial Geranium

June is Perennial Garden Month. Perennials are plants that continue growing for several years until they reach maturity. Perennials include ornamental grasses, ground-hugging flowers, tall fence-lining blooms, water-loving ferns and aromatic herbs. Perennials can be colorful, hassle-free and with a little care, they come back year after year and save the time and expense of replanting. June is a perfect time to celebrate perennials. Here are a few tips to get you into the garden and off to the plant nursery.

Instructions

1. 

   Tour regional perennial gardens. This time of year many city and garden clubs host garden tours. These tours show off spectacular garden designs. This is a wonderful opportunity to see what perennials thrive in your region. Master gardeners and local experts give advice on planning for low maintenance and summer-long blooms. Attend home shows and garden exhibits and enjoy the beautiful flowers and plants.

2. 

   Tend to your home perennials. Walk through the garden and do those seasonal tasks. Spring blooming perennials are ready for a trim. Shear off the tops and trim damaged foliage. The flowers may be gone but the rest of the plant can provide beautiful greenery through summer. Shape up shaggy plants and foliage. Mark any bare spots or areas where you want to put more color.

3. 

   Pinch or cut back tall autumn-blooming flowers such as aster and chrysanthemum. Cutting tall leggy growth now or pinching off early leaves and blooms encourage more compact summer growth so plants stand up better to wind and rain. Trimming back also keeps these perennials sturdy for later flower blooms. Tall perennials that are not trimmed may need to be tied to a stake. Otherwise they fall over from the weight of foliage and flowers later in the year.

4. 

   Plant for an all-summer bloom season. By planting a variety of early, summer and late blooming perennials you enjoy flowers all summer long. Swap perennials with a friend or visit the garden center to fill those bare garden spots. Before you plant, take a minute to look over your garden. Think about how you want your garden to grow. Maybe you want small bright flowers in front, then medium and tall flowers blooming in masses. Or maybe a kitchen garden of herbs and edible flowers. Plan now and reap the rewards for years.

5. 

   Give a perennial gift. Share your garden flowers with a friend. Wear a nifty flower-decorated T-shirt. Buy a perennial flower calendar. Whatever you do this month, celebrate the wonderful perennial.