The Long Distance Runners

Amy AldenderferCounty Extension Agent for

Horticulture

Brought to you by:

What is a Perennial?

A plant that lives for three or more yearsUsually herbaceousFlower for a shorter period than annualsWhether it’s a perennial, wildflower or weed depends on usTops generally die backAverage a three week bloom

Perennials v. Annuals

Pros– Variety of plants, blooms and foliage– Don’t plant every year= less expensive– Ability to specialize in plant groups– More challenging to combine well

Cons– Divide every 3-5 years– Short bloom period– Less striking blooms– Too many choices=design over time

Things to think about when choosing perennials:

SoilsLight

SpacingHardiness

groundcoversunder trees

slopes

containers

borders

Locations

Functions

herbal

scent

wildlife

edible

aesthetic

plant type

children

water

model train

historic

night/evening

Themes

dry

xeriscape

open

seashorerocky

woodland

shade

damp

Plant Habitats

meadow

Now that the plants are home, then what?

PlantingFertilizingIrrigationMulchingWeeding

PinchingStakingDividingPest management

Examples of Perennial Flowers

Part 1. Sunny Locations

Achillea filipendula- Yarrow

Many colors, flower in late spring to summer

2-3 feet tallFew pestsBorders, cut

flowers, driedCuttings or

division in spring or fall, some by seed

Achillea millifolium- yarrow

Wider range of colors than previous speciesSpreads faster, can become aggressivePerforms well in dry areas

Alcea rosea- hollyhock

Technically a biennial, often behaves as a short-lived perennialNumerous pest problemsEasily grown, great for vertical interest

Amsonia tabernaemontana- bluestar

Native perennialEasily grown in average soilsHas beautiful fall color Few pest problems

Amsonia hubrictii- bluestar

Similar to previous speciesPrimary distiction lies in very finely texture foliageSame excellent golden fall color

Anemone x hybrida – Japanese Anemone

Flowers white, pink, violet, in late summer and fall

3-4 feet tallFew pestsUsed in bordersDivision or root

cuttings made in spring, seed

Anthemis tinctoria- margueriteTends to be short livedOften re-seeds in good conditionsCut back after flowering to improve appearance and encourage repeat bloom

Aquilegia x hybrida - Hybrid Columbine

Flower colors, many and bicolors, in spring and early summer

1½ to 3 feet tallLeaf miners may

make foliage unattractive

Used in borders, will also do well in part shade

Division in late summer, seed

Armeria maritima- sea pinks

Needs well drained soilsGreat for rock gardens, raised bedsLooks best planted in large groups

Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’- Silver Mound Artemisia

Yellow flowers in summer that are not noteworthy. Grown for gray-green foliage.

6-8 inches tall, keep compact by shearing

Few pestsUsed in borders and

rock gardensPropagate by cutting

Artemesia ludoviciana- spreading forms

Considered invasive in good soilsMakes a nice filler for dried arrangementsTolerates poor, dry soils

Artemesia- powis castle

Forms a large woody sub-shrubDo not prune in fall or winterLooks best when pruned in late spring to maintain shapeTolerant of poor soils

Asclepias tuberosa – Butterfly weed

Flowers orange in summer

1-2 feet tallMajor pest – aphidsUsed as a border plant

and for cut flowers, attractive to butterflies.

Propagate by seed or root cuttings, does not transplant well.

Aster spp. - Asters

Flowers in blues, violets, whites in summer and fall

1-6 feet tall, taller varieties must be staked

Powdery mildew is the major pest

Used for borders and cut flowers

Propagate by division in spring

Baptisia australis – False indigoBlue flowers in

late spring3-5 feet tallFew pestsUsed in

borders, dried seed pods

Division in late fall or early spring, seed

Belamcanda chinensis – Blackberry lily

Yellow, orange flowers in summer, seed heads look like blackberries

3-4 feet tallIris borer is a

major pestUsed in bordersPropagate by

seed or division

Bergenia cordifolia- pigsqueak

Evergreen foliage turns maroon in fallBest in good soilsFlowers in very early springTolerates some shade

Boltonia asteroides- boltoniaVery tall fall blooming perennialCut back in summer to shorten and promote branchingGrows vigorously, may require staking

Campanula- bellflowerMany different species with varying plant habitsSome may be invasiveSome may struggle in our summer heat

Centaurea montana- cornflower

Prefers well drained soilsRelatively short bloom periodUnusual blue-purple flowers in late spring

Centranthus ruber- Jupiter’s beard Vigorous

perennial for well-drained soilsTolerates poor soils if draiinage is goodDead head to extend bloom season

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides –leadwort

Chrysanthemum x morifolium (Dendranthema grandiflora) – Garden mum

Many colors, yellow, bronze, lavender, white, in fall

1-2 feet tall, must be continually pinched until July to keep short

Major pests – aphids, leaf hoppers

Used in borders and cut flowers

Propagate by cuttings in summer, division in spring, seed

Chrysanthemum x superbum (Lucanthemum x superbum)– Shasta Daisy

White flowers in early spring

1-3 feet tallMajor pest –

aphidsUsed in borders,

cut flowersPropagate by

division in fall, seed

Cimicifuga racemosa – Black cohosh, Snakeroot

White flowers in late summer

5-8 feet tallFew pestsUsed in borders, will

tolerate some shadePropagate by

division, seed, deep root system

Growing popularity as medicinal herb

Coreopsis -tickseedMany species with varying plant habitsMost have yellow flowers and bloom for an extended periodDead head to extend bloom seasonBest divided regularly to maintain vigor

Crocosmia - montbretiaIris-like foliage provides vertical elementGrown from a cormInteresting flowers in summerMites can be a problem in dry conditionsSome forms are not hardy here

Delphinium elatum - larkspurPefers rich well-drained soils and cooler climatesTends to be short lived and performs poorly hereMonkshood can provide a similar effect in gardens

Dianthus - pinksMany species and formsMost are easily grownRange in height from 4”-3’Many form spreading groundcoversAttractive spiky silver foliage

Digitalis purpurea - foxgloveTechnically biennial, generally short lived hereMay require stakingMay reseed in good conditionsD. ambigua and D. mertonensis are true perennials

Echinacea purpurea – Purple ConeflowerFlowers purple,

white in summer to fall

3-5 feet tallMajor pest is

powdery mildewUsed as border

or cut flowersDivide clumps in

spring or by seed

Geranium sanguineum - Cranesbill Geranium

Flowers in white, violet, red in late spring

1 - 1½ feet tallFew pestsUsed as a border

or edge plant, protect from afternoon sun

Propagate by seed, some by cutting

Eryngium amethystinum – blue sea holly

Tolerates poor dry soils if drainage is excellentSpreads very slowly Division seldom necessaryStrikingly unusual blue flower heads

Eupatorium coelestinum – hardy ageratum

Very vigorous plant, particularly in moist soilsCut back in summer to shorten and increase floweringDivide regularly

Eupatorium purpureum – Joe pye weed Stately perennial

‘monster’ growing up to 10’Native plant attracts butterfliesSmaller dwarf versions are availableMay reseed around the garden

Euphorbia - spurgeMany different forms, some evergreenVery tolerant of poor dry soilsMilky sap may be an irritant to skin or eyesOften self seeds

Gaillardia x grandiflora – blanket flower

Very long bloom period in summerTends to be short livedExcellent for dry areasOften seeds itself in good soils

Gypsophila paniculata – Baby’s Breath

White or pink flowers in summer

2-3 feet tallFew pests but tends

to be short lived in KyUsed as border or

cut flowersPropagate by seed

or cuttings, does not like to be divided once established

Helenium autumnale- sneezeweed

Tall perennial valued for its fall blooms in yellow orange and redPrune in summer or stake to supportAdaptable plant tolerates many soil typesNative

Heliopsis helianthoides scabra ‘Summer Sun’ - Heliopsis

Yellow flowers in summer and early fall

3-4 feet tallFew pestsUsed as a border

or cut flowerPropagate by

seed

Hemerocallis hybrids - Daylily

Many colors, bloom in early summer

8 inches to 3 feet tall

Major pests are aphids and leaf spot

Used as border plants or in mass plantings

Propagate by division in late summer

Heuchera sanguinea – Coral bellsPink and red

flowers in late spring

8-18 inches tallFew pestsUsed as border

plants, mass plantings, also does well in part shade

Propagate by division or seed

Hibiscus moscheutos – Rose Mallow

White, red, pink and bicolors in summer

3-8 feet tall, taller ones require staking

Major pests are Japanese beetles and caterpillars

Used as border plantsPropagate by division

or seed

Bearded Iris- German Iris

Various colors and bicolors in late spring

2-4 feet tallMain pest is

iris borerUsed in

bordersPropagate by

division in fall

Iris siberica – siberian iris

Tough as nails perennialTolerates moist soils wellFoliage provides interest when not in flowerMostly shades of blue, purple and whiteRelatively short bloom period

Liatris spicata - Gayfeather

Native prairie perennialExcellent cut flowerAttracts butterfliesTolerates wet areasDivide regularly as needed

Monarda - beebalmVery vigorous plant is invasive in good soilsLoved by hummingbirds and butterfliesTolerates moist areasPowdery mildew is a huge problem prune hard to control or select mildew resisitant varieties

Oenothera fruticosa - sundropsRapidly spreading plant with yellow flowers in springOften short livedReddish stemsTolerates dry soils

Oenothera speciosa – showy primrose Aggressive-

leaning toward invasiveLarge pink flowers over a long period in spring and summerCut back after bloom to encourage repeat

Paeonia hybrids – Chinese PeonyPink, white, red flowers

in late spring, attractive foliage

3-4 feet tallSeveral pests, botrytis,

thrips, leaf spots, root rots, Japanese beetles

Used as a border or cut flower

Propagate by division in late summer, don’t plant too deeply

Papaver orientalis - Oriental PoppyFlowers of red,

pink, and white in late spring.

1-2 feet tallFew pestsUsed as a border

or cut flowerPropagation by

division, root cuttings or seed.

Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage

Blue flowers in summer

4-6 feet tall, shrubby

Few pestsUsed as a borderPropagate by

cuttings, division, or seed

Phlox paniculata - Summer Phlox

White, pink, blue, red flowers in summer

2-6 feet tallMajor pest is

powdery mildewUsed as a

border or cut flower

Propagate by division or seed

Phlox subulata - Moss Pink

Blue, white, or pink flowers in early spring

3-6 inches tallFew pestsUsed as a

border, in rock gardens, edging, and ground cover

Propagation by division in fall

Physostegia virginiana – obedient plant

Native plant in pink or whiteSpreads aggressively in good soilsTolerates moist areasGood cut flowerDivide frequently

Platycodon grandiflorus – balloon flower

Durable plant prefers moist, well-drained soilsResents divisionBlooms most of the summerGrows 2-3’ in height

Rudbeckia fulgida - Black-eyed Susan

Yellow flowers in summer to fall

2-3 feet tallPowdery

mildew is the main pest problem

Used as a border, cut or meadow flower

Propagation by division or seed

Salvia x superba – meadow sageReliable plant with long bloom season in late springGood for drier areasAromatic foliageCut back after bloom for a second, smaller flush of bloom

Sedum spp. - Stonecrop

Yellow, orange, red flowers in summer but generally grown more for foliage

3-8 inchesFew pestsUsed for edging,

ground covers, rock gardens

Propagation by division or seed

Sedum spectabile - Showy SedumPink, red, white,

lilac flowers in late summer and early fall

12-18 inches tallFew pestsUsed as a

border, edging, cut flower or dried

Propagation by division or cuttings

Examples of Perennial Flowers

Part 2. Shady Locations

Aconitum napellus - Monkshood

Blue flowers in late summer

3-4 feet tallFew pestsUsed as border or cut

flower, may tolerate sunny conditions

Propagate by division in fall or from seed

Poisonous!

Arum italicum - Italian Arum

White flowers in late spring followed by spikes of red berries in fall, good foliage throughout year

12-20 inches tallFew pestsUsed as a border plantPropagate by division in

fall or by seed

Astilbe x arendsii - Astilbe

Pink, white, red, lavender flowers in late spring and summer

2-3 feet tallMites are the major

pestUsed as a border, cut

flower, or driedPropagation by division

in spring

Begonia grandis - Hardy Begonia

Pink flowers in summer

18-24 inches tallFew pestsUsed in bordersPropagate by

tubers (may not be hardy) or bulbils

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides – Plumbago, Leadwort

Blue flowers in summer and fall

8-12 inches tallFew pestsUsed as a border

or ground coverPropagation by

division in spring, cuttings, or seed

Dicentra spectabilis – Common Bleeding Heart

Pink or white flowers in summer

12-18 inches tallMajor pest – stem

rot and wiltUsed as a border or

cut flowerPropagation by

division in spring or fall, cuttings, or seed

Epimedium grandiflorum - Barrenwort

Prefers moist, organic soilsSome species tolerate dry shade when establishedNice groundcoverSmall white, pink, or yellow flowers

Helleborus orientalis – Lenten Rose

White or purple flowers in early spring

12-15 inches tallFew pestsUsed as a border

plantPropagate by

division or seed

Hosta spp. and hybrids - Hosta, Plantain Lily

White and lavender flowers in spring and summer, grown more for the foliage

8-36 inches tallMajor pest -

slugsUsed as border

and cuttingPropagation by

division

Polygonatum odoratum ‘Vari-gatum’ – Fragrant Solomon’s Seal

White to green flowers in spring, foliage is also attractive

18-24 inches tallFew pestsUsed in bordersPropagation by

roots divisions, seed

Tricytis hirta - Toad LilyWhite flowers with

purple spots in late summer and fall

2-3 feet tallFew pestsUsed in bordersPropagation is by

division in spring or fall or by seed (needs stratification)

Thanks to:Jamie Dockery– Fayette County Extension Agent for Horticulture

Dr. Leonard Perry– Extension Professor, UVM

Rosie Learner– Horticulture Specialist, Purdue University

Jane Martin– Extension Agent Horticulture, Ohio State University

Susan Grupp– Unit Educator, Horticulture, University of Illinois

Margaret Hudson – photo of Hosta garden

Michael Boer – UW herb garden