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Power Perennials: 5 Plants That Last

Power Perennials: 5 Plants That Last

In our modern day garden, it can be difficult to find the right plant that we need. We’ve explored many parts of the world and discovered many kinds of plant. But, what plants are tougher than the usual tulip or rose? Which ones would give us the best bang for our buck? Today, we’ll be exploring wisterias, crepe myrtles, hollies, oaks, and pines.

Wisteria Vines: Friend or Foe?

Wisterias are a versatile, fast-growing plant that originates from various places around the world. Some of the most popular species of this perennial plant are the Chinese and Japanese wisteria. Both can provide a lot of beauty to the garden, and are a sight to behold. They’re very vigorous, which can be both good and bad. These plants are related to legumes.

They’re very beautiful, often making flowers in many shades of purple. They’re very forgiving plants, being able to tolerate poor soils and many kinds of weather. Yet, this also brings up a few disadvantages to the plant, like how strong and relentless they can be. They’re so vigorous that they can overtake nearby plants and outcompete them. Consult a landscaping company, because they can help you in pruning this strong but beautiful plant.

Requirements of the Wisteria Vine

Wisterias are not very needy, often only requiring water and dirt. They’re drought tolerant and don’t mind being in low-water conditions. These plants enjoy training, as it makes it easier to manage and control. The most you’ll need to worry about is them overgrowing and bothering other plants. Yet, there are a few facts to keep in mind.

For pruning, these plants do best with a heavier pruning in late fall. They could use another one in the winter as well. Wisteria Vines don’t mind shoot pruning through the year, and would actually benefit through having less rampant growth. It’s important to keep in mind their vigor at all times, but their beauty is unparalleled. Professional Landscapers can help you out with pruning, as it can get very messy if the plant is unkempt.

Crepe Myrtles: A Stoic Beauty In Your Garden

Crepe/Crape myrtles are a beautiful plant to have in your garden. They can survive clay soils and come in different colors and species. These trees can bless your garden with year-round beauty, with some having white or pink colors. They’re not as vigorous as wisterias and can be less troublesome. The myrtles can also give you more than one bloom if you prune the seed pods.

These trees don’t need too much in the way of fertilizing. A landscaping company can help you take care of these trees, as they need light fertilizing every two months or so. They benefit a lot from pruning, as it promotes more energy in blooms and branch production. Myrtles do well as tall hedges or screens. The trees can also do well as plants near gates or entrances due to how manageable they can be.

How Healthy Can Crepe Myrtles Be?

These trees aren’t often assailed by diseases, but aphid and fungus are common. These trees are susceptible to aphids, and the secretions of these insects can be bad. The liquids aphids give off can cause mold to attack next, causing more worry. Professional landscapers can help you with their know-how of dealing with aphid infestations. They’re also experienced in fighting off fungus infections in trees, giving you peace of mind.

Other than these issues, myrtles can be problem free. A fertilizing regimen combined with a watchful eye can give you a lifetime of enjoyment. There are many types of species tailored to you and your environment. Myrtles are also tolerant of shade or sun, giving you the chance to put them wherever you’d feel best.

Holly Bushes

Hollies are adaptable, tough bushes which are very easy to take care of. They’re not needy, and only need fertilizing once a year or even less, depending on where they’re grown. Hollies come in many different species. Yerba Mate is an example of a holly bush, as it is a species in the family (though not as popular). Yaupon hollies are much more popular and are very manageable.

Compared to other perennial plant species, yaupons are slow growing and have a tree habit. They can grace sidewalks, driveways, and more. They have small flowers and berries which can come in red, yellow, or other colors. It depends on the cultivar, as some may also have different habits. There’s another species called the Buford holly, which also lends itself well to pruning.

Oak Trees

Oak trees are a favorite in many places, These trees come from all over the world, with many species native to the United States. There are species tailored to your local environment, which can provide you with many years of enjoyment. They’re not very needy in regards to fertilizing and are resistant to local pests too. Your professional landscapers are able to help you with finding the right species for your garden.

Some common species of oak include the live oak and the bur oak. The former is a fast-growing plant which never loses its leaves and provides good amounts of shade throughout the year. The latter (Bur Oaks) do lose their leaves but have acorns which can attract birds, squirrels, and other animals. These species can successfully grow without the need for special fertilizing or a lot of pruning, though they don’t mind being pruned.

Pine Trees

Pine trees are another diverse kind of plant which also comes from around the world. It is slow growing and is a perfect tree if you want something that doesn’t outcompete. Some famous pines include Pinus Thunbergii and Pinus Mugo. Both trees are striking, containing unique bark or cones that can be very good for giving your front yard a forest-like feel. Pines themselves also come in many different shapes and sizes.

This diverse family generally doesn’t need fertilizing. Just like oaks, they can grow to be large and live for many years. Pruning is generally reserved for the spring months where they’re most vigorous. Professional Landscapers like Helms Landscape Design can give you advice on which species would be right for your garden. Also, we can help you keep your pines prim and proper for whatever event you need.

Bottom Line

Overall, these trees are suited to almost any environment. Compared to flowers, they can provide a lot more enjoyment. Their disease resistance and amount of blooms surpass those of your usual zinnias or sunflowers. They can even provide benefits such as keeping erosion down. But, these persistent plants can thrive a lot more with some outside help.

Helms Landscape can provide you with a lot more time on your hands. Our skills and level of experience can really keep your garden looking top-notch. From pruning your wisterias to making beautiful trees out of your hollies, we can do it all. Take advantage of this resource and call Helms Landscape Design today!

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