1. Growing Annual and Perennial Flowers

2. Agenda
Growing Perennials
Growing Annuals
Ohio State Video

3. What is a Perennial? Plants that grow for more than one growing season
Foliage dies during the winter
Roots remain alive to produce a new plant that flowers the next year

4. Biennials
Biennials require 2 growing seasons to complete their life cycle
Year 1 they are vegetative
Year 2 they produce flowers, set seed & die

5. Remember bulbs are perennials and great for adding early color to yards!

6. Advantages for Perennials
Plant one year and grow many years
Offer wide range
Flower forms
Plant forms
Flowering seasons
Flower colors
Require less maintenance than annuals
Compete well with weeds
Native species often available

7. Disadvantages with Perennials
Relatively large area needed
Many require division and replanting
Many species need deadheading
If weeds get established, hard to control
Not as showy as annuals

8. When and What to Plant Plant as early as possible
Use larger plants - gallon size or larger will give faster results
Space appropriately

9. When and What to Plant Select the right plants for the right place
- plant hardiness – Zones 5 & 6
- sun exposure water requirements
- plant height/width - bloom period and color

10. Perennial Garden Preparation
Site Selection
Well drained soil
Soil texture
Special features - accents (fountains, patio, bench, etc.)
Sun exposure

11. Sun Exposure Terminology
Full sun (six hours of sun)
Part sun (four to six hours sun)
Shade (no direct sunlight)
Part shade (less than four hours of sun)

12. Obtaining Perennials Divisions from neighbors, relatives, friends
Local nurseries (42 different sizes)
Mass distribution centers (Be careful!)
Mail order catalogs

13. Mail Order Perennials Remove plant from package
Carefully remove all loose packing material (peat moss and sawdust). 
Soak roots in water for 5 to 10 minutes. 
Examine the root system, and
Trim away any rotted, moldy, broken or elongated roots with a sharp knife or your pruning shears. 

14. Soil Preparation Soil test
Start with a clean bed – remove weeds before planting
Organic matter – incorporate to at least six to eight inches
Edging beds – steel, rubber, stone, natural materials
Trench 6-8” deep, sloped 10-12” wide

15. Planting Dig a hole the same depth as container
Remove plants from the container
Butterfly or separate the root ball
Place the plant in the hole and lightly pack the soil around the plant with the same soil that was removed from the hole
Water gently and slowly

16. Mulch Benefits - Conserves moisture - Weed inhibitor - Erosion control
- Prevents soil temperature fluctuation
- Conserves moisture
- Weed inhibitor
- Erosion control

17. Mulch Organic (wood chips, pine needles, etc.)
No fabric is placed underneath the mulch)
Bio-degrade in one year
Can be tilled in for organic matter

18. Watering
Water thoroughly and frequently during establishment (3-4 weeks)
First year, water deeply, weekly to maintain adequate moisture (1”/wk)
Wetting agent

19. Fertilizing
Incorporate a slow release fertilizer at the time of planting
Top dress with slow release at planting
Liquid feed – more labor intensive; must do every two weeks
Fertilize established perennials in the spring and fall (after dormant)

20. Weed Control - Preemergent
Treflan - sold as Preen, Miracle Grow Weed Preventer and Monteray Vegetable and Ornamental Weeder
Dacthal - sold as Gordon’s Garden Weed Preventer Granuals
Re-apply every 3 months
Bed must be weed free before application (only prevents weeds)

21. Pest Control Monitor plants for insects and diseases
Treat specific pest appropriately
Best prevention is a healthy plant

22. Perennial Maintenance
Many perennials spend their first season establishing a strong root system and then begin maximum flower production in their second and third years.
Deadheading – removing faded flowers to maintain plant vigor

23. Perennial Maintenance
Each fall, cut back spent plants
Mulch to prevent alternate freezing and thawing over winter months
Divide and replant many species on a 3-4 year cycle (iris, hosta, etc.)

24. Prairie Bloom Collection http://www. prairiestarflowers
Plants adapted to never-boring, always-changing, ever-challenging prairie climate
Special flowers that add depth and breadth to our gardening palate
Provide great interest and diversity in the landscape
Collection based on multiple year (3 to 5 yr.) performance K-State bedding plant field research trials

25. “First year it sleeps, second year it creeps, third year it leaps.”

26. Annuals
Annual – a plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season
Could botanically be perennial, but not hardy in colder zones

27. Advantages with Annuals
Quick, long-lasting bloom - bright, showy colors
Generally easy-to-grow
Wide selection
Opportunity to try new kinds of flowers and change the color scheme each year

28. Annual Types Cool season Shade annuals Full sun Heat-tolerant
Drought-tolerant
Grasses

29. Annuals are Versatile

30. Plant Selection
Colors warm - reds, oranges, yellows cool – blue, green, violet
Texture
Flower shapes
Heights * ht = 2/3 width of bed (i.e. 4’ tall plant in 6’ wide bed) * stair step approach

31. VISUAL IMPACT
Color guides to point of contact

32. Color

33. Color
White flowers
Near patios – show up well in the evening or at dusk
Separator for conflicting
colors (reds)

34. Texture & Shape

35. Plant Selection Considerations
Who will view the beds?
Where or how will the bed be viewed?
Car and pedestrian traffic
Shape and size of the bed
Surroundings – buildings, drives, etc.
Formal or informal design

36. Casual Beds Parks, homeowners yards More variation of plants
Unique or interesting plants
Cool colors – blues, whites, pinks

37. Fast Beds 50 mph traffic, busy walk-way, office bldg’s, etc.
Bold colors – “WOW”
Simple design with solid color
Massive planting
Spike flowers draw attention
Warm colors – reds, oranges, yellows

38. Preparing Flower Bed Fall preparation is best Add organic matter
Existing bed, compost good
New bed, sphagnum peat
Never add sand
Soil test (every 3 three years)

39. Plant Selection Considerations
Light needs – sun or shade
Moisture requirements – moist or dry
Maintenance – deadheading marigolds, geraniums, ageratum, zinnia, etc.

40. Light More sun, more flowers Afternoon sun often harsh conditions
All shade not same (trees vs. buildings)

41. Purchasing Annuals Short, compact, well-branched
Best without flowers or even buds
Enjoy weekend, then cut existing ones
Source important
Proven varieties

42. Planting Harden plants Plant same depth as container
Space closer than 8-12”
Mulch
Consistent temperature, moisture
Controls weeds
Not too thick (2-3” plenty on annuals)
Never use weed barrier, stone

43. Fertilizing Annuals bloom on new growth Nitrogen controls new growth
Need constant supply of N
Phosphorus not usually needed
Snake oil products, root stimulators

44. Watering Plants need one inch per week Moisten bed thoroughly
Allow soil to dry moderately before watering again
Soaker hose works great,
no splashing
Efficient
Sprinklers bad, nozzle worse
Wetting Agent

45. Pest Control Weeds: pulling, light hoeing Diseases: Few problems
Insects:
Insecticide only if necessary
Watch for spider mites, aphids, Japanese beetles, lacebugs, thrips
Always follow label directions

46. Prairie Star Collection http://www. prairiestarflowers
Annual flowers that are best adapted to our ever changing, never boring, always challenging prairie climate
Exhibit superior performance in KSU field trials across Kansas – Olathe, Wichita, Hays, Colby

47. Questions?