Planting and transplanting perennials: when is it ideal?

Perennials come in many different types and shapes. Nevertheless, planting and transplanting perennials is not a secret science. Because the right planting time for it is either in autumn or in spring.

perennials

The term “perennial” is mainly used by gardeners. But it can also be found in botanical identification books. In gardeners’ language, perennials are flowering plants that sprout from the roots every year. So these are perennial plants. Another feature of perennials is that they do not wood at all or only slightly. Therefore, the aerial parts of a perennial are herbaceous and usually die off after the growing season. Depending on the species, perennials overwinter in the form of rhizomes, tubers, bulbs or other storage organs. There are of course exceptions here, because some perennials do not move in over the winter.

planting

Planting perennials in the garden is easy. It is important that the bale of container goods has enough space in the planting hole. Therefore, the size of the planting hole depends on the ball size. The guidelines are:

  • Depth: the root ball is flush with the soil surface
  • Width: Two to three centimeters wider than the pad

For the actual insertion of a perennial, follow the instructions below:

  • loosen the soil
  • Dig a planting hole
  • use perennials
  • Fill in the planting hole
  • Press the soil lightly
  • water lightly

transplant

Transplanting perennials is usually a good idea when the plants

  • spread uncontrollably (eg: lily of the valley)
  • get too big (eg: grasses)
  • need to be rejuvenated

Since transplanting often involves dividing the perennial, you can easily propagate your favorite perennial this way. Depending on your ideas or design requirements, you can use parts

  • at the old and new location
  • only at the old location
  • only at the new location

insert, or create a new perennial bed. It is important that you dig up the plants carefully so that the underground parts are not damaged. The sharing itself should only be done with sharp, disinfected cutting tools. For the planting process, follow the planting instructions described above. The ideal time depends on the following rule of thumb: Perennials that have faded before June 24 (St. John’s Day) are best transplanted immediately after flowering. For summer and fall flowering perennials, early spring is the ideal time for transplanting. However, exceptions are possible.

planting time

Dalmatian cushion bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana)

  • Planting: March to early summer
  • Transplant: in autumn after flowering
  • Flowering period: June to August
  • Growth height – width: 8 to 15 centimeters, 20 to 30 centimeters

Garten-Fingerkraut (Potentilla x cultorum)

  • Planting: all year round with the exception of periods of frost
  • Transplant: early spring or autumn
  • Flowering period: July to August
  • Growth height – width: 35 to 40 centimeters, 30 to 40 centimeters

Garden Larkspur (Consolida ajacis)

  • Planting: mid-May (early potted plants)
  • Sow: September to mid-October or March and April
  • Move: April
  • Flowering period: June to August
  • Growth height, width: 30 to 100 centimeters, 50 to 60 centimeters

Gray cranesbill (Geranium cinereum)

  • Planting: March to spring
  • Relocate: March or April
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Growth height, width: 10 to 15 centimeters, 15 to 20 centimeters

Great Stonecrop (Sedum telephium, Hylotelephium telephium)

  • Planting: March to April
  • Transplant: early spring (before budding) or autumn (after flowering)
  • Flowering period: July to October
  • Growth height, width: 25 to 50 centimeters, 20 to 45 centimeters

Großblumige Kokardenblume (Gaillardia x grandiflora)

  • Planting: mid-May (early potted plants)
  • Transplant: in late summer or early fall after flowering
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Growth height, width: 10 to 30 centimeters, 20 to 30 centimeters

Heartleaf Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia)

  • Planting: from October to March (frost-free periods)
  • Transplant: Late summer to early fall
  • Flowering time: March to May
  • Growth height, width: 25 to 30 centimeters, 30 to 45 centimeters

Kornblumenaster (Stokesia laevis)

  • Planting: spring or autumn
  • Transplant: early spring (before budding) or autumn (after flowering)
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Growth height, width: 30 to 60 centimeters, 25 to 30 centimeters

Lupine (Lupinus)

  • Planting: mid-May (early potted plants) or early autumn
  • Transplant: early autumn after flowering
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Growth height, width: 40 to 80 centimeters, 30 to 60 centimeters

Maideneye (Coreopsis)

  • Planting: mid-May after the ice saints
  • Relocate: early spring
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Growth height, width: 40 to 80 centimeters, 30 to 60 centimeters

sword lily (iris)

  • Planting: August to mid-October or in March
  • Relocate: September to mid-October
  • Flowering time: April to June
  • Growth height, width: 60 to 100 centimeters, 40 to 60 centimeters
Note: There are also early-flowering varieties of the iris that show their flowers as early as February.

Kira Bellingham

I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.

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