The power of perennials

A terraced hillside is filled with a multitude of perennial plants in pots at Soergel Greenhouses in Wexford. These plants can be put in the ground now and will come back on their own year after year. There are a stunning array of colors and textures, some plants hug the ground while others stand tall and dance in the late spring breeze.
Owner Randy Soergel says perennials are becoming more and more popular with gardeners which in turn has plant breeders creating better varieties.

Randy Soergel, owner of Soergel Greenhouses poses with a large group of perennial plants. He’s holding the hybrid lupine ‘Gladiator.’ Photos by Doug Oster

This is the hybrid lupine ‘Gladiator’ at Soergel Greenhouses in Wexford.

“A lot of the seed-grown perennials are inferior to some of the patented stuff,” he says.
Soergel points out a large area of ‘Gladiator’ lupines which stay true to their color and will thrive in our climate. “You need well-drained soil,” he says about the plant. “You need to be sure they don’t dry out either.”
Morning sun and afternoon shade is perfect for them and he says they look wonderful early in the day even without flowers.
“The water and the dew in the morning looks like a little diamond on the leaf,” he says with a smile.
Over the past few years, he’s noticed gardeners aren’t buying as many annuals, but still want color in their yards. He always recommends taking time when building a good perennial bed. The idea is to have an area with blooms from beginning to the end of the season.
“One of the key things I suggest is come back weekly and buy one,” Soergel says. It will certainly help your plant budget, but also lets gardeners see the size and color of the flowers for the landscape. “Pick one that’s in bloom every week or two and then you know you’ll spread your flowering season out.”
Annuals bloom from frost to frost, but perennials usually only bloom for several weeks. When choosing something for the perennial garden, foliage is important. That’s what gardeners will see most of the season. “Look at leaf texture, some of the achilleas with that real ferny foliage,” Soergel says. “Silver mound brings that silver color, especially at night.”
A little maintenance will keep perennials thriving too. “Cut the seed pods off to keep the plant strong so it’s not putting all its energy into the seeds,” he says.
In well-drained soil, new plantings will need to be watered every few days until they become established and should have a layer of mulch. A good liquid organic fertilizer will help them get started, but feeding isn’t as important through the year if your soil has been improved with organic matter like compost.
Sitting in a little shed next to the perennials, Soergel talks about some of his reliable favorites.
“Salvias are deer resistant,” he says. Soergel likes lavender, many veronica varieties including ‘Red Fox,’ and recommends lamium as a low grower. In the shade, hostas, ferns and astilbe come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. “The sedums are great for a sunny, dry area; they are becoming very popular.
“I think the neatest part is, it’s always spring with a perennial garden,” he says. “Whenever something comes up, it’s a new flower you haven’t seen in your garden.”

Matthew Hirsh is a horticulturalist at Trax Farms in Finleyville. The nursery is carrying over 35 varieties of heuchera, a tough and beautiful perennial.

This is the hybrid lupine ‘Gladiator’ at Soergel Greenhouses in Wexford.

There are acres of perennials on display at Trax Farms in Finleyville, but horticulturist Matthew Hirsh has fallen hard for heucheras, with more than 35 varieties. The common name is coral bells, but don’t think these plants are the same purple-leaved varieties grandma grew with nondescript flowers. Breeders have done wonders with the plant.
“It seems like there’s been an explosion in new varieties and that has spurred customers’ interest,” Hirsh says. “They can be lime green, butterscotch, gold and some nearly black.”
The plants can take sun, but would prefer a break from the heat of the afternoon.
Even though heucheras are grown primarily for their leaves, the flower combinations can be amazing. Bright red flowers are set off by chartreuse foliage, pretty white flowers standing over dark purple leaves are quite a show.
The plant is deer resistant, with the flowers being the most attractive part of the plant to them. It’s another plant that needs good drainage and should never be planted too deep, as it’s susceptible to crown rot.
“With our lovely clay soil, I like to dig the hole wider than I need to,” Hirsh says. “Get some nice compost to let those roots catch hold and get a little stronger. I wouldn’t plant them in an area that’s going to be soggy wet in the winter.”
Since the foliage is so beautiful, they can even be added to containers filled with annuals.
Hirsh likes ‘Carmel,’ its early growth emerges bright gold and fades to a subtle peachy orange. The variety takes heat and humidity too. ‘Ginger Peach’ has rose-colored overtones and won’t flower until its second year. It’s a fast grower with ruffled leaves and this variety also stands up to tough weather conditions.
‘Stainless Steel’ is a wonderful variety bred locally by Martha and Charles Oliver of Primrose Path in Scottdale. In spring the plant puts on silvery leaves with a touch of reddish purple, that then mature to clear silver with green veins. Dark purple flower stems have pink buds that open to white flowers. ‘Obsidian’ has some of the darkest purple foliage.
Coral bells had been the staple of gardens for decades, but now are enjoying new popularity. “They’ve made a comeback, Hirsh says. They are a very tough plant and reliable to come back after winter.”
Doug Oster is the 535mediarack home and garden editor. Reach him at 412-965-3278 or doster@tribweb.com or via Twitter at @dougoster1. See other stories, blogs, videos and more at everybodygardens.com.