Have you got yourself a raised bed, but are unsure which flowers you can plant and enjoy? In this post we introduce you to flowers for raised beds in the form of perennials, which are an obvious choice that gives you many options.
What are perennials, and which should you choose?
Perennials are flowering plants that live for several years, and that is probably one of the reasons why they are so popular with many people. Not only do perennials only need to be planted once, after which you can enjoy them for several years, they also contribute beautiful colours to the garden as well as edible leaves, which can nicely top a summer salad or the like.
When you choose perennials, you can pick from a wealth of colours. It is entirely up to you whether you want to go for a particular colour theme, or whether your raised bed should be a broad palette of the colours of the rainbow. You can also choose a selection of perennials that flower at different times. That way you get a bed that flowers at many times of the year.
How do you plant perennials?
Perennials are a relatively easy plant to grow and maintain, but if you choose the method of planting different perennials together, it is important that you are aware of what each of them requires. This can limit your options a little when planting in a raised bed, as it can, for example, be a challenge to meet different needs for light and shade.
- Start by removing weeds and stones, so that the raised bed is completely clean and clear. This is of course only relevant if you have planted in the raised bed before.
- Make sure the soil is well loosened. Perennials do best in soil that has been loosened.
- It is important that you read up on which perennials you have bought. Some perennials particularly need sun and shelter, while others, for example, need shade and moisture. Consider how you combine your perennials, so that you get a beautiful and well-functioning perennial bed.
- Once you have got your perennial plants, it is a good idea to plant them within the next few days. That way, you get the growing off to the best start.
- Perennials can tolerate being planted close together, so you should do that as a starting point.
- Be generous with the watering when you have just planted. That way the roots become best established.
- You do not need to fertilise after planting. Let the perennials get started growing before you begin fertilising.
When do you plant perennials?
If you dream of a raised bed with perennials, autumn is when you should get started. This is actually the case with most plants, and it is because the soil has the best conditions then, as it has been warmed over the summer and is well moistened.
When you plant perennials, it is important to give the plant the best root system, so that it can grow big and beautiful again and again. Perhaps you are one of those who feel like visiting the garden centre when spring comes knocking at the door and the trees burst into leaf. If so, you can also start planting perennials in spring, and then it is just a matter of being generous with water during spring and summer.