Care and How-To - Perennials
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Groundcovers are great options for the garden. Their creeping, spreading, low-growing growth habit makes them well-suited for a variety of garden settings and can help reduce weed growth and erosion. Below are several groundcovers suitable for shade or part-shade locations.
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Learn how to protect plants from frost and freeze damage in fall and spring. Get tips on covering plants, using cold frames, and when to bring plants indoors for the season.
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Iowa soils are diverse. Soil pH is one property that can vary widely across the state. It is also one of the most cost-effective and easy-to-manage soil properties that can be modified to improve plant health and crop production.
Learn about how to decrease and increase your soil pH below.
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Groundcovers are great options for the garden. Their creeping, spreading, low-growing growth habit makes them well-suited for a variety of garden settings and can help reduce weed growth and erosion. Below are several groundcovers suitable for shade or part-shade locations.
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A popular symbol of Easter is the trumpet-shaped, white, fragrant flowers of the Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum). Plants are available from flower shops, greenhouses, and other retail outlets.
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Learn when and how to divide bearded and Siberian irises to maintain healthy, blooming plants plus tips for best growing conditions for both iris varieties.
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The slender, tubular flowers are produced in 2- to 3-inch-wide flower heads in June and July. They perform best in moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Spent flower heads should be promptly removed to prolong bloom period.
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As winter fades and spring arrives, several things can be done to prepare the garden for the upcoming growing season.
Below are tips for the perennial garden, vegetable garden, annual containers, trees & shrubs, houseplants, and lawns.
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There are several possible causes for peonies to fail to bloom. They include too much shade, recently divided, or premature removal of foliage. Find out what may be keeping your peonies from flowering.
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uOne of the easiest ways to propagate a prized perennial is to divide the plant into two or more smaller plants. Below are tips and recommendations for dividing perennials in your garden including information on why, how, when, and how frequently to divide. Included are guidelines for specific perennial species common in Iowa gardens.
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Lycoris squamigera, or surprise lily, is flowering bulb with a unique growth habit. Foliage dies back by early summer and pink flowers appear in late summer seemingly out of nowhere (surprise!). Learn more about how to grow these interesting flowering bulbs.
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Organic mulches serve several important functions in gardens and landscape plantings.
These many benefits make the use of mulch very beneficial in a wide range of garden settings. When choosing which organic mulch to use, consider availability, cost, appearance, function, and durability.
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Soil blocking starts seeds in compressed soil cubes, promoting strong roots and reducing plastic use, though it requires careful watering and practice.
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When selecting plants for the shade garden, don't overlook native woodland wildflowers. Woodland wildflowers are attractive additions to home landscapes and are easy to grow when given a favorable site.
When purchasing plants for those shady areas in the landscape, consider the following woodland wildflowers.
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Trees, shrubs, roses, and perennials are available bare root. That is, they come to you from the garden center or mail-order retailer with no soil around their roots. Extra care is required to make bare root plants survive and thrive.
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The garden peony is a popular, long-lived perennial that provides beautiful flowers in spring and handsome foliage throughout the growing season. If left undisturbed, a peony plant may flower for 50 or more years. Below is information on growing peonies in Iowa, including care, propagation, planting, types, and recommended cultivars.
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Learn how to protect container plants in winter. Discover methods like burying pots, mulching, and using unheated storage to keep roots safe from cold damage.
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Drip irrigation is a water-efficient method for vegetable gardens, delivering moisture directly to roots, saving time, and reducing disease risks.
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When selecting perennials, choosing plants that are suitable for the site is important. Garden sites can vary tremendously. Some areas are hot and dry. Others are wet. Wet sites can be challenging, but they also provide gardening opportunities. The following perennials perform well in moist to wet soils.
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When selecting perennials, it’s important to choose plants that are suitable for the site. Wet locations can be challenging, but they also provide gardening opportunities. The following native perennials perform well in moist to wet so