For the professional
THE POWER OF PERENNIALS
Perennials stimulate the senses, improve the urban climate, require little maintenance, and are very attractive to bees and butterflies. A varied planting scheme, with many different species, also has a positive effect on people’s well-being. Thanks to perennials, public green spaces can be colorful, ecologically valuable, and easy to maintain.
PERENNIALS DELIVER ON THEIR PROMISE
A colorful appearance, enrichment of public green spaces, and low maintenance costs. Perennials deliver on all these promises. They reappear every spring to grow and bloom again. Some species are evergreen or have an attractive winter silhouette. A planting plan consisting of perennials is therefore very suitable for almost all situations where attractive but strong planting is desired. For example, raised planting beds, tree pits, verges, parks, and roundabouts.
LOW MAINTENANCE COSTS
Planting perennials seems more laborious and expensive than planting shrubs, for example. However, perennials are more economical within a few years, mainly due to their low maintenance costs. A lot of research has now been done into strong perennials that are suitable for use in public green spaces. Suitable species include stonecrop (Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’), yellow coneflower (Rudbeckia), lady’s mantle (Alchemilla), autumn anemones (Anemone), Kalimeris, knotweed (Persicaria), fireweed (Phlomis), and catmint (Nepeta). Evergreen ground cover plants include pachysandra (Pachysandra), bergenia (Bergenia), cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) and creeping stonecrop (Sedum spurium). Strong ornamental grasses for public green spaces include fountain grass (Pennisetum), purple moor grass (Molinia), sedge (Carex) and miscanthus (Miscanthus).
THE RIGHT PLACE
It is important that the chosen species are suitable for the location. To determine this, the soil type, amount of sun, and soil moisture must be assessed in advance. If the right plant is in the right place, healthy and problem-free planting will result that will remain beautiful for at least 10 years. Perennials can be used in large groups or in combinations. In any case, the aim is to create a continuous planting as quickly as possible so that weeds don’t stand a chance. By making the right combinations, the plants will look even better.
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PERENNIAL COMBINATIONS:
- Catmint (Nepeta), Jerusalem sage (Phlomis), and fountain grass (Pennisetum)
- Knotweed (Persicaria), yellow coneflower (Rudbeckia), and stonecrop (Sedum Herbstfreude’)
- Kalimeris, knotweed (Persicaria) and autumn anemone (Anemone)
- Creeping stonecrop (Sedum spurium), Jerusalem sage (Phlomis) and purple moor grass (Molinia)
PLANTING
Perennials can be planted all year round, provided there is no frost. Both autumn and spring are suitable times to plant perennials in the ground. From February onwards, when the ground starts to warm up, the perennials begin to grow. The first varieties show their flowers as early as March, and most continue to bloom until the first frosts. On average, 7 plants per square meter are recommended. For small varieties, the average is 9-11, and for large varieties, 3-5 per square meter. Most perennials can be cut back with a strimmer in early spring.
