Perennial garden & Butterfly garden

 

Q: I am planning a perennial garden in my backyard where there is both some shade and full sun. What soil conditions are best and what nutrient elements should be added?
- James Wright, Yucaipa

A: Most perennials like a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 in order to readily absorb elements from the soil. Some perennials, such as chrysanthemum, daylily, Oriental poppy, phlox, violets and yarrow like soil with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5. The term pH refers to the measurement of the concentrations of the hydrogen ion in a given substance from 0 to 14, 7 being the most neutral soil condition from acid to salty.

Most perennials grow best in humus-rich soil that has a relatively even balance of clay, sand and silt particles, which are called loam. Loam will hold moisture for a reasonable time, yet will drain readily enough so roots do not get soggy after a rain. This is a good time to incorporate your compost pile into the soil. This compost humus is the result of the breakdown of organic materials by various soil organisms.

If you do not have a compost pile, you can add well-rotted manure, peat moss, decomposed kitchen waste, wood chips, leaf mold or straw. Keeping the soil aerated is one of the best things you can do for your plants. Roots are incapable of absorbing water and nutrients unless there is oxygen present in the soil.

The three main nutrient elements for plant growth are “N” nitrogen for foliage and stem growth; “P” phosphorous for root development and flower production; “K” potassium for plant metabolism and food production which is necessary for the manufacture and movement of starches and sugars.

Trace elements such as boron, chlorine, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc are present in most soils and are needed in very small amounts for plant nutrition.

A balanced fertilizer in the soil is recommended when preparing the garden. As the perennials develop, they need less nitrogen and more phosphorous for flowering. I use a spray liquid fertilizer high in phosphorous during the growing season.

Check each perennial that you are planting to see how much water is required. Plants that like wet soils such as daylily, forget-me-not, lobelia, and primrose need a separate area. Drought tolerant plants (we will all need to have a drought tolerant area), include the butterfly flower, sages, rosemary, lavenders and a host of other easily available plants.

And finally, research what sun requirements do best for each variety. Most perennials like 6 to 8 hours of sun. Try to arrange your plants for height and blossoms that will bloom different times of the year.

Q: Our school is planting a butterfly garden. We hope to shape the garden like a butterfly. What plants do you recommend?
- Dawn Nyhus, Loma Linda

A: What a great teaching tool. Butterflies are attracted by the flower nectar and its scent. When the caterpillars start to eat the leaves, don’t get discouraged, as they need this cycle to produce butterflies. Do not use a systemic fertilizer or pesticide.

Many annuals have scents that attract butterflies, such as cosmos, morning glory, lunaria, Tagettes (type marigold), marigold, nasturtium, viola and zinnia.

The list of perennials include Bee balm, butterfly flower (asclepias), buddleia (butterfly bush),cone flower, foxglove, gloriosa daisy, hardy aster, hardy pinks, lupine, mist flower, sages, sweet William, and sunflowers. Rudbeckia (gloriosa daisy), have some wonderful new hybrids with great shapes and colors. I tried four of the new varieties and got a lot of interest and questions, “what is that plant”? The new varieties come in great yellow, gold to bronze colors that definitely attract butterflies.

Butterflies have the ability to identify colors. The preferred colors are purple, pink, yellow and white.

Don’t forget to put a large dish of water with rocks for the butterflies to drink. They will not land on the water, so you will need to add a landing for them.


Robert H. Schuler, M.G.
rhschuler@verizon.net

GPP# 002 for Sept. 20, 2008 perennial garden, butterfly garden

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