Watch them bloom year after year.
Some herbaceous perennials are short-lived, lasting as little as 3 years. Others are more durable, providing a display for 10 years or more. Herbaceous peonies, for instance, can live for up to 50 years.
Perennials will last longer if grown in the right conditions and cared for properly. Over time, many perennials become densely congested and need lifting and dividing to give them a new lease of life. For instance, let’s look at tulips.
Tulips
Tulips are perennial flowers, meaning they can bloom year after year. They are one of the many delights of spring. The good news is that they are easy to grow. Just plant a few blubs, and you are almost certain to have flowers a few months later. However, it is worth remembering that these flowers hail from warmer climates, so they need treating with a little respect to get the best after a cold, wet North European winer. Always remember:
- Do not plant them too early. Keep the blubs in a cool, air place and plant in late autumn or anytime up to mid-winter to prevent early growth which can be susceptible to cold damage and disease, especially “tulip fire” which causes marks on the foliage and shrivelled, papery flower buds.
- Plant them deep enough. Whether planting in the open ground or in pots they need to be plated three or four times the depth of the blub below the surface to prevent short stems and stunted growth.
- To plant for the best display, position the blubs a couple of centimetres apart with a small handful of fertiliser mixed with the soil to help the winter hardiness of the shoots as they emerge.
- As spring arrives, keep an eye on watering as the blubs are about to flower.
For more information about long-lasting perennials, visit BBC Gardener’s World Magazine.