Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Perennial supports
We may have gotten a late start but we gardeners are up to the challenge! And so are our perennials. Most of them are a hardy bunch, however some do need support from time to time, especially in windy locations. Today’s ‘Bite is about options. PS, these work for annuals too!
Stakes are good for tall perennials like Hollyhock, Foxglove and delphiniums. I’ve used bamboo stakes and artwork too!
Place your supports in the ground at the time of planting if possible, and make sure they’re tall enough to support the plants mature growth. You might consider using old nylons to tie them to the stakes or any soft cloth. There are also options at garden centers including that stretchy green tape!
Peonies are lovely but look awful if left to splay out. Peony hoops are the ticket. These circular wire grids also hold up sedum, asters and euphorbia.
Place them over the plant before it gets too big! Half-rounds work well for baptisia, russian sage, heliopsis and boltonia.
These plants can sprawl over their neighbors once they flower. This half round is a semicircle attached to two wire legs and can be quickly slipped into place to cradle the wimpier stems and restore order. Loop stakes can hold up loopy lilies, flagging phlox and, I couldn’t think of a matching adjective for gladiolas! These are strong metal stakes with a curl at the top. Just loop the lax stalk into the curl and no more falling over.
