Page 12, The Gladewater Mirror, Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Perennials are a gardener’s friend Gardening is often seen as an art form to men and women with a green thumb. Once the landscape is designed, homeowners may not want to change much from year to year. That is where perennial plants can be an advantage. Designing a landscape and keeping the garden looking beautiful can take a keen eye. It also may require a lot of time and commitment. If home gardeners have to replant items year after year, gardening can become timeconsuming and expensive. Turning to perennial plants and flowers to serve as the anchor for a home garden can make the process easier. Perennials are plants that live indefinitely. In terms of flowering plants, perennials will bloom every year. In essence, they have the staying power of shrubbery but are more delicate in nature and often appealing to the eye.
There are perennials for every season, soil type and sun exposure. Perennials come in a wide variety of blooming flowers or attractive foliage. Chances are if a homeowner wants to add perennials to the garden, there is a variety available that will fit his or her needs. Here are some perennials that can be added to the garden: * lavender * ornamental grasses * asters * chrysanthemums * irises * poppies * milkweed * goldentufts * anemones * columbines * daylilies * peonies * hostas Once perennials are in place, there is relatively minimal maintenance that is required.
The tune-ups that may be needed are some deadheading to promote new and stronger growth and some cleaning up after winter before the new blooming season takes place. Once the early spring season arrives and the ground is not too muddy or rain-soaked, clear out any leaves and debris that have gathered around where perennials are located. Gardeners can also till the mulch or soil in these areas to aerate the planting beds. Using shears, cut down any dead grasses, stems and stalks from spent perennials that overwintered. Remove any dead wood and broken branches. Be careful not to trim spring-blooming shrubs because some flowers bloom on year-old stems and this can cause the plant not to flower. Perennials that aren’t flowering as well as they used to or have dead centers
may need to be divided to promote stronger growth. This should be done in early spring before the plant blooms or late fall before the winter
arrives. Dividing plants and replanting not only grows the garden, but also it is a healthy revitalization for the plant. Gardeners who prefer to
Gardening in any sized space
Believe you need an acre of property to start gardening? Think again. Individuals can grow their own patch of greenery in just about any space they have on hand. When it comes time to getting your hands dirty, it doesn’t matter if there are rolling hills or a single container filled with soil on which to plant. Although many gardening professionals present plans for larger-scale gardens, it’s possible to create smallerscale options that require a great deal less maintenance and upkeep. To get started, homeowners or apartment dwellers need to first look at the space they have. Perhaps this is a few flower pots or a small square of exposed dirt in an otherwise
Gladewater Antique District Association
take a laid-back approach to gardening may appreciate the ease with which a beautiful and easy-to-maintain landscape can be created with perennials
concrete jungle. Others may have an expansive backyard in which to toil in the soil. Either way, knowing what you have to work with can help home gardeners map out a more successful plan of action. Next, it’s important to consider the climate and the soil conditions. Soil can be amended to a point, but plants that require a lot of water may not do well in an area plagued by drought. Color is another thing to consider. Gardeners with smaller spaces may want to think about keeping gardens mainly monochromatic, which will look more cohesive. Cool-colored flowers and plants will help make a garden look larger. Warm-colored flowers will add impact and could create a cozier feel.
The Gladewater Mirror’s
Bricks
and
Bloom March 28
9 a.m. - Noon Downtown Gladewater
Invites you to visit Downtown Gladewater for the Annual Bricks & Bloom Flowers Gardening Items Spring Decorations
Proceeds to benefit Gladewater Lions’ Club
Booth Space - $50 Call 903-845-2235 for more information
ACE OF PAWN Spring into super savings! All boutique items must go $1.00 Hair bows
Large selection of Pansies • Periwinkles • Impatiens • Hanging Baskets • Garden Dishes • Geraniums • Lantana • Begonias and MUCH MORE!
$5.00 Rompers Fax Phone 903*845*2404 903*845*4888 207 S Main St Gladewater TX 75647
$5.00 Tutus $5.00 Blingy Jeans
M-F 9-6 • Sat 10-2 Sun Closed
“Service Starts At 11 A.M. Daily”
903-845-5571 903-845-2233 1408 E Broadway Ave.