Supporting Perennials

 

Plants in borders are often planted well apart which provides little mutual support. Consequently they require additional propping. Nutrient-rich soils exacerbate the problem, encouraging soft growth, and modern hybrids are developed with larger flowers, greater vigour and increased height in mind, making them top-heavy and more likely to fall over.

Stakes should ideally be in place in spring, before plants havemade too much growth. Later staking is difficult as plant growth is more advanced and can easily be damaged.

Material.
Bamboo canes and metal rods and frames (plastic-coated if preferred) are widely available. Grid or grow-through supports are also available, along with plastic and galvanised meshes. Birch or hazel pea sticks and rods make a more natural framework.

3-ply soft twine is suitable for small plants, but 5-ply soft twine is required for larger specimens. Don't tie-in plants too rigidly; they should be able to move in the wind. Rubber clips are available for holding supports together. Cane tops should be covered with rubber eye protectors.

Method

Upright clump-forming perennials (e.g. Delphinium ) can have galvanised wire-mesh cylinders placed over them. Bushy perennials such as Campanula and Helenium grow well in simple circular frames, and top-heavy plants such as herbaceous Paeonia and Dahlia are well-suited to grid supports. Pea-sticks are useful for both front- (e.g. Penstemon ) and back-border plants (e.g. Inula racemosa ), whereas tall obelisks are useful for roses, Clematis and Lathyrus . Support heavier stems of large perennials, such as Crambe cordifolia with canes or rods.

From: www.rhs.org.uk/