Staking and Support: Keeping Your Perennials Upright.

In the lush, verdant worlds of Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal gardens, the beauty of tall, blooming perennials can be a spectacular sight. However, these stately plants often require a bit of help to stay upright. Staking and supporting your perennials not only maintains garden aesthetics but also protects the plants from damage. Let’s explore how to properly stake and support your perennials to ensure they thrive and display their full glory.

Why Support Perennials?

The reasons for supporting perennials are multifaceted:

• Protection Against Elements: Wind, rain, and even the weight of their own blooms can cause perennials to flop.
• Disease Prevention: Keeping foliage and flowers off the ground reduces the risk of soil-borne diseases.
• Improved Air Circulation: Properly spaced supports help increase airflow around plants, reducing the risk of fungal infections.

Choosing the Right Support

Selecting the appropriate support depends on the specific needs of each plant. Here are some common types of supports:

• Single Stakes: Ideal for tall, single-stemmed perennials like delphiniums or hollyhocks. Place the stake close to the plant base and tie the stem to the stake at various points.
• Link Stakes and Hoops: Great for bushier perennials like peonies or asters. These create a grid that supports the entire plant mass.
• Grow-Through Grids: These are placed over the plants when they are small, and the plants grow through them. They are perfect for species that produce a lot of top growth like rudbeckia or sedum.

Techniques for Staking Perennials

When to Stake

The best time to stake perennials is in early spring as they begin to grow. This allows the support structures to blend seamlessly with the plants, which is less intrusive than adding them when the plants are fully developed.

How to Stake

1. Choose the Right Material: Use stakes made of bamboo, metal, or sturdy plastic. Ensure they are tall enough to support the plant at full growth.
2. Positioning the Stakes: Insert stakes close to the plant to avoid damaging the roots. For perennials that tend to grow tall, placing the stake on the windward side can offer additional protection against strong winds.
3. Tying Techniques: Use soft ties like twine, special plant ties, or even strips of old tights, which won’t cut into the growing stems. Tie the plant to the stake loosely to allow for growth and movement.

Care and Maintenance

• Regular Checks: Periodically check and adjust ties to ensure they are not too tight and reposition stakes if plants outgrow them.
• Post-Season Care: Remove supports after the plants die back in fall to prevent any damage during the winter, and store them properly for reuse next season.

Conclusion

Staking and supporting perennials is a vital part of garden maintenance that ensures your plants look their best and remain healthy. With the right techniques and timing, your garden in Toronto, Ottawa, or Montreal can become a stunning showcase of upright, vibrant perennials.

As we always say in the gardening world, a little support goes a long way—whether it's for our plants or each other. Happy gardening, and may your perennials stand tall and proud!