Watering

If the weather is dry, as it has been recently in Columbia, Ellicott City and surrounding areas, water your perennials that have been planted within the past 3 years and those already establish but that require more water. Making sure your perennials are adequately moist going into the winter can help them thrive the following year. I always recommend some sort of automated watering system, from drip irrigation to a simple system of a soaker hose or sprinkler set on a timer. I would recommend being careful not to over water with this automated system. But delivering the right amount of water consistently to your perennials will help them thrive through the winter and for years to come. The largest difference I see between the gardens that thrive and those that struggle are inadequate detail paid to watering.

Cutbacks

Commonly, perennials have been cut back in the late fall after frost has killed their above ground growth. It is better for wildlife to allow the perennial stalks to remain until spring. Birds eat the seeds and overwintering beneficial insects find cover. I would recommend putting your leaves into perennials beds and leaving them until spring too. In early spring you can remove the leaves (or leave them to compost) and cutback the dead perennial stalks. Weed the early spring weeds, apply mulch and you are ready to go! If you require a more orderly garden you can cut back the above ground parts of perennials that have died back. Often some basal leaves remain (leaves of the plant that are low to the ground, at the base of the plant) and I usually leaves those without cutting. It helps me see where the crowns are the following season. You don’t want to cover the crowns (base of the plant) with too much mulch, it could kill the plant.

Division

You can also divide your perennials at this time of year. Iris, daylilies, coneflower, black eyed susan, daisies and many other flowering perennials can be successfully divided. Plants like heuchera and hellebore can have their dead growth clipped out of the outside to allow the new center leaves to thrive.

Enjoy

Enjoy watching your garden change through the fall and winter! Enjoy the rest from weeding and watering and fertilizing. Rest up because when spring comes your garden will need you!

Please email us at laurensgardens@gmail.com if you have a question about preparing your perennial gardens for winter! We can also help you with garden maintenance. Contact us for a free estimate to have our educated, passionate garden maintenance team help you keep up with your garden!