Herbaceous perennials plants and bulbs

Question 1

Describe the soil preparation required for growing herbaceous perennials

Answer 1

1. Remove all perennial weeds before planting
2. In autumn single or double dig the area, incorporating well-rotted manure or compost to improve fertility and moisture retention.
3. Leave soil rough dug over for winter to allow frost to break down soil into smaller peds
4. In spring before planting firm by treading and rake level, may add further compost or fish, blood and bone to improve fertility (can also use inorganic fertiliser such as Growmore at 90g/m2)

Question 2

Describe the soil preparation required for growing bulbs, corms and tubers in containers

Answer 2

• Most bulbous plants prefer well-drained, fibrous growing media
• For bulbs that are only going to spend one season in their container, use a mix of three parts multi-purpose compost with one part grit. For long-term container displays, use three parts John Innes No 2 compost mixed with one part grit
• Container must have good drainage
• Compost dependent on specific bulb requirements
• Plant at depth twice length of bulb, a bulb’s width apart.
• Add layer of grit to container surface to aid water retention
• Do not overwater or bulbs will rot.

Question 3

Describe the planting required for growing bulbs, corms and tubers in border or naturalising

Answer 3

Border

• Plant at least depth twice length of bulb, 1-3 bulb’s width apart.
• Remove soil to right depth, add some bonemeal to hole, position bulb, refill hole and firm soil
• Plant bulbs in groups of odd numbers to look more natural.

Naturalising

• bulb planter useful
• place bulbs in position on surface
• Use bulb planter to remove core of soil, add pinch of bonemeal, position bulb and replace core, firm.

Question 4

Describe the planting required for growing herbaceous perennials

Answer 4

1. For most areas best time to plant HPs is autumn, permits plants to get established in relatively warm soil.
2. Prepare a planting plan and mark out areas on border with dry sand, use odd number of plants
3. For container grown plants:
   
   1. adequately water before planting
   2. dig hole as deep as root ball and slightly wider than container
   3. remove plant from container and gently tease out roots
   4. place in hole ensuring that surface on compost in container is level with soil surface
   5. backfill hole, firm and water thoroughly

For bare rooted perennials:

1. ensure roots do not dry out
2. Prepare hole of correct depth and width to insert roots without damaging them
3. Spread roots evenly in hole
4. Add soil, working into roots, add more soil, firm and water thoroughly.

Question 5

Define a herbaceous perennial

Answer 5

A herbaceous perennial is a plant which consists of non-woody aerial parts and a ‘rootstock’ or ‘crown’ which regrows at the beginning of each spring.

Regrowth is from buds at or below ground level.

In majority of cases aerial growth dies back in autumn

Question 6

Describe the maintenance required for growing herbaceous perennials

Answer 6

1. Regularly weed, deadhead plants and check for pests and diseases throughout year
2. Autumn: cut down plants to ground level and clear away all debris. Lightly fork over border and remove perennial weeds. Lift and divide any plants that need rejuvenating.
3. Late winter: apply a top dressing of general fertiliser between plants (organic or inorganic)
4. Early/mid-April: apply mulch 7-10cm deep. Take cuttings if needed
5. late April/early May: stake plants as necessary
6. Summer: water as necessary. plant flowers to succeed those such as Papaver orientale, Iris germanica