Short perennials are versatile plants that can transform the landscape and complement flower arrangements. They are perfectly combined with all garden and horticultural crops, used as borders separating plantings. Low-growing perennial flowers that bloom all summer make flower beds well-groomed and attractive. These plants are completely non-capricious, but still they must be properly selected. We offer to review low-growing perennials, learn about their features. Also at the end of the article will be given recommendations for caring for plants.
Varieties
Perennial garden flowers can be of various sizes. We propose to consider low species, which are divided into the following categories:
- short ground cover perennials;
- short flowers;
- dwarf flowering plants.
Ground covers got this name due to the fact that they cover the soil cover, protect it from the scorching sun and winds. Low-growing flowers have longer stems, their height does not exceed seventy centimeters.
Besides size, plantsdivided into undersized perennials flowering and non-flowering. The first will be an excellent decoration of the garden, which will bloom for at least two to three months, that is, throughout the summer season. The second group is also beautiful. Its charm is that undersized perennials have decorative stems, an interesting shape of leaves with a unique color. Both groups are often used by gardeners and landscape designers.
Dignity of undersized perennials
These plants make beautiful arrangements, and gardeners have found a lot of merit in the undersized flowers.
- these are decorations that do not require much maintenance;
- does not require abundant and frequent watering;
- only one or two top dressings are needed throughout the season;
- they are easy to seat, replant and separate;
- undersized perennials that bloom all summer, begin to bloom in the first or second year after planting;
- grow and expand rapidly;
- Perfectly harmonize with other ornamental plants, complement single shrubs and trees, decorate a plot with garden crops;
- take root on absolutely any soil, there are varieties designed for rocky and sandy soil.
Of course, the main advantage of plants is that they do not have to be planted annually. It is enough to sow once, and then for many years to admire the compositions created by oneself.
The right choice of low-growing plants for the site
Before sowing flower beds and plots with undersized perennials, it is worth considering the compatibility of plants. Some may not get along with each other at all. Be sure to consider the requirements of plants, and the following parameters must match for the selected species:
- abundance and frequency of irrigation procedures;
- bush size;
- growth rate;
- composition and quality of soil;
- Necessary fertilizers for fertilizing, frequency of their application;
- a way to shelter for the winter, if necessary;
- requirements for the location of the basket: in the shade or in the sun.
An equally important requirement in the beauty of the landscape is the compatibility of shades of selected plants. They should harmonize well, but, this is a matter of taste for everyone. Some people like colorful meadows, while others prefer plain flower beds. Now we propose to get more specifically acquainted with the types of undersized perennials for flower beds and just plots.
Large Astrantia
Today, there are many varieties of this plant. There can be completely different shades, there are even bushes on which colorful flowers bloom. The most common flowers are low-growing perennials that bloom in white, pink and maroon.
The height of the bushes of this plant does not exceed seventy centimeters. Astrantia is covered with flowers at the very beginning of summer, and completely fades only in the last days. August. In order for new buds to consistently appear, it is necessary to remove those that have already faded.
It is desirable to plant an astration in a sunny area, but it can also be a slightly shaded place. An area where a trellis arbor or hedge casts a shadow is suitable. This undersized perennial is indifferent to the composition of the soil, it can grow in absolutely any soil.
Oak Sage
Salvia is the second name of this plant, it is also a low-growing species that has been growing for several years. The height of salvia varies from sixty to eighty centimeters, it is not sprawling, rather compact. It blooms throughout the summer, so it will be a great decoration.
This undersized perennial is very showy. The plant looks amazing, these are long inflorescences resembling candles, painted in a bright purple color. It is necessary to plant sage in shady corners, it loses its brightness when it is in the abundant sun. It is also demanding on soils, capricious in care.
The soil must be fertile, always moist, so irrigation measures must be carried out in a timely manner. The soil around the bushes needs to be loosened so that air penetrates well, and moisture does not cause fungal infection or pest attacks. Weeding should be regular, this undersized perennial does not tolerate weeds. In addition, you need to apply a complex of fertilizers at least twice a season, carry out preventive treatments against pests.
BAs a result of painstaking care, salvia will reward you with a unique beauty. But this is not its only purpose, everyone knows that sage is a medicinal plant that can overcome any ailments and protect against them.
Primorskaya army
This plant has many species. Each is different from the other, so it is very difficult to characterize it. But all species are very unpretentious, they do not require frequent watering, absolutely any soil composition is suitable for growth. Armeria grows well even in sandy and clay soil, and it has a positive attitude towards shade and sun. This plant can decorate rock gardens and stone rockeries. Its flowering continues all summer, you can see a photo of an undersized perennial in this article.
Sea Alyssum
This is a very resistant and tenacious plant. Alyssum is a short perennial in the literal sense. The height of the plant does not exceed twenty centimeters, it spreads along the ground, decorating it with its uniquely beautiful flowering.
Alyssum blooms for a very long time, the first flowers appear in May, and the last ones are able to meet the first frosts and snow. If this perennial grows in a region where winters are mild, then it does not die off, it only falls asleep, and continues to grow and develop at the first sunlight. If you decide to plant this plant at home, and the winters in the region are severe, then you don’t have to worry about sheltering the alyssum, it is winter-hardy, it will survive even the most severe frosts. Plant color maybe white, pink, purple and yellow.
Crimson Arenaria
This is an ideal plant for decorating alpine slides and rockeries. A perennial is capable of growing on any soil, even on stones and sand, it is absolutely not capricious, does not require special care. The plant can not be watered, it blooms even in drought, which it tolerates perfectly. Its height is up to fifteen centimeters, and the shoots are crimson.
Arenaria begins to bloom in June, and continues until late autumn, may encounter snow. Flowers - in the form of small stars, painted in white or pale pink.
Perennial chrysanthemums
There are many types and colors of undersized chrysanthemum perennials. Plants were especially fond of Russian gardeners. It's not even about the great variety and beauty, it's just one of the few ornamental perennials that can survive the harshest winters and capricious climate.
Blossoming begins later than other perennial flowers, around the second half of July. But the virtues of the species are that they can bloom until real frost hits.
Geranium Balkan
This type of perennial undersized plant can become a year-round decoration of the garden, as it does not get rid of foliage even for the winter. The height of the bushes is up to twenty-five centimeters, they are decorated with rich dark green foliage.shade of carved form. In autumn, the color changes to bright red and yellow, in combination with the snowy "dunes" around it looks amazing.
Purple or red flowers bloom in June. During flowering, which continues until the end of the warm season, the garden is enveloped in a delicate floral scent.
Kind Highlander
This is another type of perennial that prefers to stay in the leaves in winter. A distinctive feature is the unchanging color of the leaves, they remain green all year round. Flowering begins in May or June, stops only at the end of September.
The leaves are lanceolate, and the inflorescences are made in the form of an ear of purple. This plant will decorate any garden or park, looks great among stones and near water bodies. An unpretentious creature can grow on any soil, no matter how rough it may be. Does not need frequent watering, tolerates dry seasons well. It is also not necessary to loosen the area where the highlander grows, but weeding is necessary for the beauty of the garden. The color of the flowers will be especially rich if planted in a sunny place.
Growing advice
Like most perennials, low-growing species are unpretentious, they do not need any special care. But in order for the site to be really beautiful, and not overgrown with wild flowers, you should still put your hand and work hard.
- Timely pruning of wilted flowers will keep the site attractive and plant he althy, allowing it to morecontinuously bloom.
- You need to create a fence of stones, metal or plastic parts to prevent overgrowth.
- Border stunted perennials should be planted slightly away from the edge of a flower bed or border. It is worth remembering that the plant grows quickly.
- Irrigation should be done by drip method.
- If plants need shelter for the winter, choose only breathable covering materials or use spruce paws.
- Choose such perennials that will complement each other, and the flower bed will not be without flowers. It is necessary to plant both early-flowering ones, and those that start blooming late, but also finish in late autumn.
Using our recommendations, you will create flower beds that delight the eye all summer and autumn.
