Caring for perennials »Watering, fertilizing, cutting and more

Water perennials

In the first year after the planting Perennials need a little more attention when it comes to watering. Water the plants as required (more intensively if the heat / drought persists, less if it rains).

As soon as the perennials have established themselves, they are largely self-sufficient and you only need to intervene more strongly during hot spells in summer. Then it is advisable to water the plants once or twice a week - early in the morning or late in the evening.

Important: Always only water the roots! Be careful not to wet the leaves, otherwise there is a risk of fungal attack.

Fertilize perennials

A sufficient supply of nutrients is very important for perennials, especially since flowering takes a lot of strength.

• in the spring compost or Slow release fertilizer work into the earth
• Help with deficiency symptoms or poor flowering with fast-acting liquid fertilizer
• Do not administer anything from August (otherwise the perennials will be more sensitive to the cold)

Cut perennials

Whether you prune your perennials in autumn or spring is ultimately up to you. Both variants are compatible with the plants and have their advantages.

Autumn:

• The stems are still tight
• Perennials sprout again in spring (if possible, new shoots do not want to come into contact with the scissors)

Spring:

• many perennials keep attractive fruit stalks over the winter (a magical ornament for the garden or balcony, especially covered with hoarfrost or snow)
• dried up fruit clusters serve as food for birds and insects

Further maintenance measures

Here we want to summarize further - reservoir-specific - maintenance measures:

• Loosen the earth
• Remove what has faded

Loosen the earth

So that the perennials can easily absorb water and nutrients, you should loosen the soil around your plants regularly with the rake. Otherwise an encrusted or muddy soil will result.

Caution: Always prick flat to avoid damaging the roots!

Remove what has faded

It pays to remove dead flowers before seeds begin to form. Then it is likely that the perennials will reward you with a second flower.

1. Cut the perennials back to a hand's breadth above the ground.
2. Apply liquid fertilizer (fertilize moderately!).
3. Water regularly.

A few weeks later the plants are in bloom again.

Final notes

• You should use tall perennials support.
• Most perennials are hardy and do not need winter protection. Only some species should be targeted in front of the Protect from the influences of the cool season.