Struggling to keep one or more perennials in your yard upright? Whether it’s hibiscus, peonies or any other perennial, these plants have a tendency to wilt and fall over when not properly cared for.
When this occurs, it stresses the plant, possibly even killing it. There are some steps that gardeners and green thumbs can take to keep their perennials upright.
Pruning and Trimming
First and foremost, try to get into the habit of pruning your perennials earlier in the season.
How can this help keep them upright?
Well, pruning – when done early in the season – encourages perennials to grow thicker and more bushy rather than tall and narrow.
Conventional wisdom should tell you that a plant is less likely to fall over if it’s thick, covering a larger surface area on the ground. So, grab some sharp pruners and trim your perennials to prevent them from falling over.
Stake ‘Em
When in doubt, you can always keep your perennials upright by staking them in the ground.
Ideally, staking should be done in the spring, when the perennials are healthy and vibrant. Even as we progress later into the year, though, you may still want to keep them staked, as this offers invaluable support for perennials.
You can purchase some simple stakes and wire from most plant nurseries. Or if you are feeling creative, you can construct your own stakes using basic supplies.
Tomato Cages
An alternative to traditional stakes is tomato cages. Don’t let the name fool you into thinking tomato cages can only be used on tomatoes.
They offer a simple and effective way to keep all small plants upright, including perennials.
Just place the cage over your perennials, and secure them using a thin wire or string. Your perennials can now grow without falling over.
Use Nearby Limbs for Support
Assuming you have other plants or trees growing adjacent to your perennials, you can use them to support your perennials and keep them upright. Simply fan out the branches so they are just barely touching the perennials.
When used correctly, this should offer just enough support to prevent your perennials from falling over.
Of course, you’ll need to keep an eye on both the nearby plant or tree as well as the perennials. If the branches continue to grow, it may push into the perennials, stressing and injuring them.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
Conventional wisdom – if only that was inherited. Great idea on pruning your perennials early in the season. It’s too bad when those beauties start to wilt.