{"id":5856,"date":"2020-04-21T13:38:37","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T21:38:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/?p=5856"},"modified":"2022-02-10T16:24:11","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T01:24:11","slug":"why-did-my-perennial-die","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/why-did-my-perennial-die\/","title":{"rendered":"Why did my perennial die?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Lady’s Mantle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why Does a Perennial Die?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perennials re-emerging after a long dark winter bring a sense of joy to the gardener. Spring-flowering varieties give us our first bright colors of the season. Which is why it’s so disappointing when you discover that one or more just didn’t make it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such is the learning curve with perennials. Hopefully, you’re reading this because rather than give up, you want to find out what went wrong and try again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t be tempted to think it’s just ‘you’. Trust me. Everyone who loves using perennials in the garden–including experts–has been confounded at one time or another by a finicky plant. It can be frustrating, even if you get everything right. The proper drainage<\/strong>, the light conditions<\/strong>, and good healthy soil<\/strong>. Then, why did my perennial die, you ask? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why does a perennial die? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First off, is it really ‘dead’? In the spring, perennials look brown and limp. There may be no signs of life. More than one person has made the mistake of digging up a plant they thought was dead. When in reality it was simply off to a slow start. So, give it the benefit of the doubt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New growth emerges from the crown (the center of the plant). If the crown is firm to the touch, let it alone and wait and see. If by the start of summer, it’s all dry and shriveled up, or the crown is soft and mushy, it’s probably rotted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some common reasons why a perennial may have died<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n