Bayscape Blog 11/30/10
Divide & Conquer
By Judy DeFiglio
I have been sharing with you all the great things about growing native plants, and while they are easy to care for and less work than other exotic ornamental, even natives need some occasional maintenance when grown in a garden setting. Especially if your garden is small, you may want to take steps to keep your plants from growing to large or spreading too much.
The easiest way to control any plant in your garden is do your homework before you start. Do a little research on the plants you think you want in your landscape and be sure you choose the right plant for the right space. That’s more then half the battle. Sun, shade, water, soil type all play a major role in determining how big your plant will grow. A little time spent on planning will save you lots of time digging and moving unhappy plants.
Even with the best research and design you may still find you’ve made a mistake or years have passed and the conditions have changed. Your garden spot used to be shady but the tree came down in last year’s storm or the neighbor’s new sprinkler is now drowning your drought tolerant natives. Don’t worry. Most natives can be moved with little problem. The exception is those plants like butterfly weed (Asclepias turberosa) that have a tap root. Here’s how: First, decide where you want to move the plant. Second, dig the new hole. Next, dig around the plant and gently lift it trying to keep the root ball intact. Finally, place it in the new hole at the same depth it was growing, fill in with soil and water well.
If you are happy with the placement of a plant but it has overgrown its space you can dig and divide the plant, replant one section in the same place, then plant the rest of the divisions in a new location or pass them along to friends. Most perennials can be divided spring or fall but a good rule of thumb is if it blooms in the spring divide in fall and if it blooms in the fall divide in spring. This way you will be sure not to interrupt the bloom cycle.
Another way to control your natives is to deadhead them before they go to seed. Simply snip off the spent flower so no new plants will grow. Personally, I usually leave a few flower heads go to seed because I enjoy a few surprises and few free plants.
If your garden has gotten out of control, divide, conquer and share the extras.
Divide & Conquer
By Judy DeFiglio
I have been sharing with you all the great things about growing native plants, and while they are easy to care for and less work than other exotic ornamental, even natives need some occasional maintenance when grown in a garden setting. Especially if your garden is small, you may want to take steps to keep your plants from growing to large or spreading too much.
The easiest way to control any plant in your garden is do your homework before you start. Do a little research on the plants you think you want in your landscape and be sure you choose the right plant for the right space. That’s more then half the battle. Sun, shade, water, soil type all play a major role in determining how big your plant will grow. A little time spent on planning will save you lots of time digging and moving unhappy plants.
Even with the best research and design you may still find you’ve made a mistake or years have passed and the conditions have changed. Your garden spot used to be shady but the tree came down in last year’s storm or the neighbor’s new sprinkler is now drowning your drought tolerant natives. Don’t worry. Most natives can be moved with little problem. The exception is those plants like butterfly weed (Asclepias turberosa) that have a tap root. Here’s how: First, decide where you want to move the plant. Second, dig the new hole. Next, dig around the plant and gently lift it trying to keep the root ball intact. Finally, place it in the new hole at the same depth it was growing, fill in with soil and water well.
If you are happy with the placement of a plant but it has overgrown its space you can dig and divide the plant, replant one section in the same place, then plant the rest of the divisions in a new location or pass them along to friends. Most perennials can be divided spring or fall but a good rule of thumb is if it blooms in the spring divide in fall and if it blooms in the fall divide in spring. This way you will be sure not to interrupt the bloom cycle.
Another way to control your natives is to deadhead them before they go to seed. Simply snip off the spent flower so no new plants will grow. Personally, I usually leave a few flower heads go to seed because I enjoy a few surprises and few free plants.
If your garden has gotten out of control, divide, conquer and share the extras.
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