4TH JULY 2023
Second Flush Ready? Here's What You Need to Know!
As the summer starts to take hold, a lot of herbaceous perennials in England are about to hit their second flush. This means the second round of flowering, which can often be just as beautiful as the first. But, in order to get the best results, it's important to know how to take care of your plants during this time.
If you have herbaceous perennials in your garden, you may have heard the term "second flush of flowering" before.
But what exactly does that mean? Simply put, a second flush of flowering refers to the phenomenon where certain types of herbaceous perennials will produce a second round of blooms later in the season, after the initial flush has faded. So why do some plants do this?
There are a few factors at play.
For starters, many herbaceous perennials evolved in regions with cool, wet summers. In these conditions, plants can often benefit from delaying their blooming until later in the season, when temperatures have cooled down and there's more moisture available.
This allows the plant to conserve energy and ensure its blooms are healthy and robust.
Additionally, some herbaceous perennials may be triggered to produce a second flush of flowers if their initial blooms are deadheaded promptly.
Deadheading - the act of removing spent blooms from the plant - helps redirect the plant's energy away from producing seeds and towards producing more blooms. When done consistently throughout the season, this can often lead to a second round of flowering.
Of course, not all herbaceous perennials will produce a second flush of blooms - and even among those that do, the timing and intensity of the second flowering can vary depending on a variety of factors. But if you're looking to keep your garden looking lush and colorful throughout the summer, it's worth seeking out some plants that are known for their second flushes of flowering
First of all, let's talk about feeding.
During the second flush of flowering, your plants will require a lot of nutrients in order to thrive. That's why it's so important to apply a well-rotted manure or bark mulch. These natural fertilisers will provide your plants with the essential nutrients they need to produce beautiful blooms.
Now, you may be wondering why it's so important to feed your plants during this time. Well, as plants go through their second flush of flowering, they are essentially producing new growth. This new growth requires a lot of energy and nutrients in order to develop properly. If your plants aren't getting the right nutrients, they may not produce the same beautiful blooms you saw during the first flush.
And what about the wet weather?
Believe it or not, this is actually the perfect time to apply your fertiliser. The rain will help to distribute the nutrients throughout the soil, ensuring that your plants get the nourishment they need. Plus, the moisture from the rain will help your plants absorb those nutrients even more effectively.
So, if you want to get the most out of your herbaceous perennials this season, make sure you're ready for the second flush of flowering. Apply a well-rotted manure or bark mulch to provide your plants with the essential nutrients they need.
And don't forget, the wet weather is your friend!
Take advantage of it to ensure your plants are getting all the nourishment they need to produce beautiful blooms.