Find Out The Proper Way Of Planting Perennials And Groundcovers

By Stephen Wright


Perennials are a type of plant whose lifespan is only two years. These types of vegetation typically has no visible woody growth from other shrubs. They are often used for ground coverage because they cultivate fast and require a minimum amount of effort.

Planting them is an effective way to avoid weeds and other pesky shrubs from growing in a particular area. A combination that works very well together is perennials and groundcovers, because they are able to take over large areas of the soil in a fast amount of time. They also offer gardeners the convenience of easy planting and maintenance.

These materials can be used to replace lawns especially on steep slopes. This is because you will no longer need to mow in those dangerous areas. Since they do not need a lot of sunlight, they can also survive underneath big trees or shrubs where lawns often have a difficult time cultivating.

The most commonly used perennial type are Japanese surges, periwinkles, and ivy because they stay blooming all year round and do not need much sunlight. Not only that, it also helps in beautifying the place because they come in various colors. However, a disadvantage is that they are invasive and may sabotage other shrubs in the area.

Due to their semi permanent aspect, it is important to plant them properly in their places. If you would like a more complex design, consider mixing other shrubs in the area to create a more diverse look. The important thing is that the plants chosen are compatible with perennials because otherwise, it would result in weak stem and mutated plants.

Remove all the weeds and grass in the soil before doing any serious planting. This has to be done to ascertain that no more of them will sprout back up when your covers begin to grow in the months to come. This is not only exasperating on the part of the gardener, it will cause further problems along the line when not addressed earlier. To do so, remove them from the roots, and not just from the stem.

Also consider when you plant these shrubs. For instance, planting during winter is not only impractical, it will also affect or most likely prevent your plants from growing. The best time to do these activities is during spring or early fall because the temperature is just right, and there are no droughts like during summer.

Planting these too near or far apart will cause some great inconveniences to the coverage of the soil. This will result in further complications and the need to remove and re plant all over again. In order to avoid this fiasco, get an estimate of how big the plants grow when in their biggest state and using that to calculate how far apart they should be.

The key when planting these seeds is patience. Take note that it will take an average of one to one and a half years before they can fully grow to its adult size. In the mean time, you can engross yourself in maintaining them and taking care of their needs. This includes watering, placing mulch, and removing any weeds that may sprout up during this time. Do not be in a hurry, just relax and soon these will grow and you can then reap the benefits.




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