How to Care for Perennials to Enjoy Year After Year
Welcome to Goebbert’s Garden Center! We’re thrilled to help you cultivate a vibrant and lasting garden. Perennials are truly a gardener’s delight, offering continuous beauty with less effort over time. This resource page will guide you through the essential steps to nurture your perennials, ensuring they return to grace your garden with their splendor year after year.
Why Perennials?
Perennials are a fantastic choice for any garden.
If you’re looking to explore what’s available locally, see our Perennial Flowers page for some of the best selections suited to South Barrington. Unlike annuals, which complete their life cycle in one growing season, perennials return each year, often growing stronger and more robust over time.
They establish deep, strong root systems, making them more resilient to changing weather conditions and more drought-tolerant once established. Coneflowers (Echinacea), Daylilies (Hemerocallis), and Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) are just a few of the dependable varieties we love at Goebbert’s.
For Every Gardener
Whether you’re just starting your gardening journey or you’re a seasoned green thumb, this guide offers practical tips and insights to help your perennials thrive. We’re here to make perennial gardening accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Understanding Your Perennials
What is a Perennial?
Simply put, a perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. They typically die back to the ground in winter (herbaceous perennials) and regrow from their rootstock in spring, or they retain their foliage year-round (evergreen perennials). This is in contrast to annuals, which complete their entire life cycle (from seed to flower to seed) within a single growing season.
Key Factors for Success
- Sunlight: Always check the plant tag. Daylilies love full sun, while Hostas prefer shade. Coral Bells (Heuchera) and Astilbes flourish in partial shade.
- Soil: Ensure good drainage. Amend heavy clay soil with compost. Good drainage prevents root rot, a common issue for perennials with “wet feet.”
- Water: New plants need regular moisture. Mature ones do better with deep, infrequent watering.
- Climate: Choose plants suited for USDA Hardiness Zone 5b–6a. Our staff can help you choose wisely, or you can browse our Flowers, Trees, & Shrubs page to see what works well for our local soil and sun conditions.
Essential Perennial Care Practices
1. Planting for Success
- Spot Selection: Match light conditions. Coneflowers and Lavender love full sun. Coral Bells and Astilbes prefer shade.
- Soil Prep:
- Add compost, aged manure, or other organic matter: learn how in our Beginner’s Guide to Companion Planting which also covers building soil health naturally.
- Aim for a pH of 6.0–7.0 (ask us about soil testing kits).
- Proper Planting:
- Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and two to three times as wide.
- Loosen any circling roots.
- Keep the crown at soil level (Irises should be slightly above).
- Water thoroughly after planting to eliminate air pockets.
2. Watering Wisely
- New Perennials: Keep consistently moist during the first growing season. Check moisture by inserting your finger 2–3 inches into the soil.
- Established Plants: Water deeply once or twice per week. Deep watering encourages deep root growth.
- Efficient Tips:
- Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses. See more in our 6 Gardening Tips for Unpredictable Spring Weather article, which includes water-saving tips.
- Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation.
- Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
3. Feeding Your Flowers
- Timing: Fertilize in early spring only if needed: check out our How to Fertilize: Transform Your Garden’s Growth guide for timing, tools, and how-tos. Most established perennials don’t require frequent feeding.
- Types:
- Slow-release granules provide a steady supply of nutrients.
- Compost top-dressing improves soil structure and releases nutrients gradually.
- Application:
- Avoid direct contact with stems.
- Water after applying fertilizer to help nutrients absorb.
4. The Art of Pruning and Deadheading
- Deadheading:
- Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
- Snip faded blooms just above a leaf or new bud (e.g., Coreopsis, Salvia).
- Pruning:
- Spring: Cut back dead foliage from Hostas and Daylilies before new growth emerges.
- Fall: Trim back perennials prone to disease (like Bee Balm and Phlox), but consider leaving Coneflowers and Sedum for winter interest.
- Dividing:
- Every 3–5 years, divide perennials like Daylilies, Hostas, and Irises to rejuvenate them and expand your garden. More detail is available in our downloadable PDF.
5. Pest and Disease Management
- Early Detection: Regularly inspect your plants for signs of trouble.
- Common Pests:
- Aphids: Spray off with water or use insecticidal soap.
- Slugs & Snails: Leave slime trails and chew holes in foliage (notably Hostas). Use beer traps or diatomaceous earth.
- Diseases:
- Powdery Mildew: Found on Phlox. Prevent by increasing air circulation and watering at the base.
- Leaf Spot: Caused by fungi. Avoid overhead watering and clean up fallen debris.
- When to Seek Help: Visit us with photos or plant samples. We’re happy to help.
Seasonal Perennial Care
Download a PDF of this useful seasonal perennial information.
Spring: Waking Up the Garden
- Remove winter debris and cut back dead foliage.
- Apply compost or a balanced fertilizer.
- Divide and transplant crowded perennials.
- Install supports for tall plants like Peonies or Delphiniums.
Summer: Enjoying the Bloom
- Water deeply during heatwaves.
- Stay on top of deadheading.
- Watch for pests and diseases.
- Stake where needed and trim overgrowth.
Fall: Preparing for Winter
- Cut back disease-prone plants like Phlox.
- Leave seed heads of Coneflowers and Rudbeckia for birds.
- Mulch after the ground begins to freeze.
- Water deeply before the first hard frost, especially for new plantings.
Winter: Rest and Resilience
- Most perennials go dormant.
- Snow acts as natural insulation.
- Don’t uncover too early in spring.
Goebbert’s Resources & Support
Stop by our Garden Center in South Barrington for:
- Expert plant advice
- Chicagoland climate-ready perennials
- Seasonal favorites and gardening supplies
Explore Other Helpful Articles
Ask an Expert
Call us or use our online form. We’re always happy to help!
Happy Planting
Perennial gardening offers immense rewards: beauty, structure, and sustainability with less maintenance. With the right care and a little seasonal know-how, your garden will flourish for years to come.
We’re Here to Help: At Goebbert’s Garden Center, we’re honored to be your trusted garden partner.