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The Perennial Question
The blessing of perennials is their re-growth every spring. Essentially, they live for decades even if overwhelmed by the proverbial noxious weeds. Eventually they die of stress or old age, but if well adapted, they take a great many years to do so, as if they were herbaceous versions of trees which, in a way, they are.
Immortality poses problems for the perennial nursery industry. One doesn’t sell the same perennial every year to the same person. Ours is not a “repeat business” industry, so to speak, like annual transplants and seeds, which are sometimes purchased 2-3 times per year by the same buyer.
Moreover, if one wants to increase their population of hostas, daylilies, monarda or coreopsis, one can easily divide them after a few years. Seed saving is considerably more difficult.
Therefore, “what’s new?” is an even more important question from perennial customers than from annual vegetable or flower growers. Experienced and dedicated perennial gardeners are, in a word, fanatical, as in “fans”. They understand the difference between a kitchen garden, cutting flower border or annual bed on the one hand, and a substantial, diverse and inherently interesting perennial garden on the other. Different rules. Perennials resemble animals. Unlike flowering and fruiting annuals, they have long lives, require some regular care and feeding, and evolve their personalities over time. If you get a new one, it’s a big deal. Much like tropical fish would be to an enthusiast: here’s my aquarium, here’s my limit, more or less. “Time to buy a new tank!” I used to travel to Germany years ago and that’s exactly the scene: hobby tropical fish collectors—mostly men—with walls of tanks in their homes filled with hundreds of genera and species of colorful exotic fish.
So it is with the “heronistas”—hardcore rare perennial and shrub collectors: an endless cycle of expanding the garden by tearing out the lawn, as well as replacing tired or no-longer-interesting plants.
We are preparing our 2010 catalog with you in mind. Please check back over the summer for news about our exciting introductions for next year. We are reviewing hundreds of rare perennials, shrubs and trees in test gardens in zones 5, 6, 7 and 8, including our original research garden in Kingston, Washington and our expanded gardens at Fordhook Farms in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. You may visit these last two locations during The Garden Conservancy Open Days on July 10 and 11, August 21 and 22, and September 25 and 26 at Fordhook, as well as on July 19, August 30 and October 4 at Kingston. We hope you can join us at these exciting garden celebrations.
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Hey! You’re talking about me without even meeting me. How did you do that?
And, thanks for name the affliction. Hortista. Cool.
I’m new to the hobby so barely qualify but I’ll keep working on it.
I love this philosophy and greatly look forward to your 2010 catalog!!! I am one of those perennial owners: always looking for that new plant/shrub to add to the gardens!
What lawn! That lawn is down to a NUB! Oh well – 3 more acres to till yet!
As I approach 60 years old, I find that I am starting to look at perennials in a different light. Not only do I still look for the rare or the unusual, but I am also looking hard at how often do they need dividing (oh! my aching back!) and how long will they take to reach maturity (peonies anyone?). Shrubs are starting to take prime place in beds that were once devoted mainly to herbaceous perennials — and even those are coming under a different set of criteria. Do they sucker? Don’t get it — I don’t have the energy to battle suckering shrubs anymore. I’ll keep my beloved bridal wreath spirea, but not get any new suckering shrubs! Does it need to be pruned to the ground every spring? Don’t get it — I don’t have the physical strength to manage my current collection of buddleas let alone get something new like a rare red-twigged cornus.
I’m finding that age and arthritis are catching up to me. Sadly. And I must temper my ambition with reality.
But I still drool over the wonderful offerings from Heronswood, knowing that a younger generation of Heronistas is coming along behind me!
As usual, I loved reading Mr. Ball’s blog. Most of my gardening is done in my apartment (which is VERY sunny) or my terrace. Since I fractured my hip, it’s a little more difficult, but the plants I purchase from Heronswood/Burpee literally SPRING out of their pots! Thank you!
George,
I just love reading your newsletters and your passion is so replenishing to my spirit.
Please do not stop.
DR G.
askdrgarland.com
not sure this is the appropo place but would like to make sure I am on the mailing list for the next catalogue. My garden is tred or I am of the same plants. I need a new collection.
please carry Callirhoe involucrata… got some this year and they are spectacular ground cover, bright red flowers; plus, seed heads to propagate next year!!! win-win
I’m excited…can’t wait!
Hi, just want you to know that I LOVE perennials and so enjoy your newsletter. I hope to cover some of the archives also but weed pulling takes precedent. I’m looking forward to visiting your area. Thanks for the enjoyable readings. A devoted Perennial Lover, Sherry Glaeser – Albany OR
Totally agreed on perennials – have begun to collect salvias, from the good old intense blue s. officianalis to some of the newer cultivars. Not only are they hardy, pest and disease resistant, but most are drought tolerant, and provide excellent border fillers when not in bloom. They are just being discovered here in the Seattle area, where aficionados snap them up at plant sales, and hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators find them irresistible. With over 600 varieties to explore, I’m always interested in seeing what else is available here!
I would like to know when I can visit Heronswood, for a garden tour?
I love your articles. My request to growers at this stage of the economy is to provide hardy perennials at reasonable prices. Here in The State of CA., with no money to be had lately, my customers of gardening services have not let me go one iota. They still want their gardens. So, I look for perennials and shrubs, when some wear out, that will take the heat and last a good long time to entertain their owners and provide a haven of respite during these times of downturn. You have some of those in your collections, I notice, and its nice to know they are still being provided. Thanks.
You’re right on about us perennial personalities. Bless you for providing us with what’s new and wonderful for our gardens. Looking forward to the 2010 Heronswood catalog.
the perennials can be considered as flower border too and when they are happy, no need of fertilizer or just cow manure.
Test zones 5,6,7, and 8? Where is zone 3?
I am currently testing several kinds of zone 3 rhododendrons, a wisteria, and a climbing hydrangea.
From Harvey, ND, where rocks are the preferred mulch and that miserable Canadian cherry tree is everywhere. :>
George: I was glad to see your comment, “replacing tired and no longer interesting plants.” I do that all of the time! It seems I am always moving, replacing and adding plants to my garden. I love perennials, but have a tendancy to love annuals just as much. I save seeds, plant lots every year and enjoy their abundance of color for our short summer months.
Hey, what about us in zone 9?
your 2010 catalog sound exactly what i’ve been searching for for a long time..new or rare yet affordable (for the most part). your reputation preceeds you, so we won’t have to worry about the integrity of the plants. thank you