Seedheads give perennials another season of interest
To deadhead or not to deadhead — that is the question gardeners must answer as perennials reach their flowering finale. It is best to remove the spent blooms from a few perennials; others have gorgeous blossoms that transform into sensational seed heads.
There are some compelling reasons to deadhead. Perennials that self-sow with abandon can be kept in check when flowers are removed before seed heads develop. Jupiter's beard, goldenrod, lady's mantle, euphorbia and yellow corydalis fall into this group.
But gardeners have many reasons to allow seed heads to remain in the garden. They are a source of new plants; they provide food for wildlife in winter; and seed heads left standing contribute another season of interest in the landscape.
Don't deadhead short-lived perennials like blanket flower and mallow, and spare the seed heads of biennials like angelica and hollyhocks. Their seed heads will drop seeds that grow into their own replacements.
Birds love the seeds found in the seed heads of coneflowers, false sunflowers, black-eyed Susans and gayfeather. Finches and other songbirds perch on seed heads to snack. Gardeners give the gift of food to help feathered friends survive harsh northern Illinois winters, and they receive color and form in an otherwise drab and dreary winter landscape.
Plant the dark brown cones of coneflowers or black-eyed Susans in front of the light tawny foliage of ornamental grasses. False sunflowers belong toward the back of the sunny border, and the thick flower spikes of gayfeather belong in the middle of the bed.
Some seed heads are so appealing they are admired almost as much as the flowers that appear before them. Consider these perennials with noteworthy seed heads when adding perennials to your beds and borders.
The flat seed heads of yarrow are a striking contrast to the shapes of many other seed heads. Coronation Gold and Moonshine have stiff stems that hold their seed heads proudly through all but the heaviest snows. Coronation Gold tops out at 3 feet tall; Moonshine is a bit shorter. Yarrows grow best in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
Ornamental onions boast globe-shaped flowers that hold their shape through winter. Summer Beauty is truly a four-season perennial. Flattened strappy foliage is quick to emerge in spring; lavender-pink flowers begin blooming in midsummer and continue into fall; and seed heads provide winter appeal. Alliums should be planted in full sun or light shade.
Shade gardeners can enjoy spectacular seed heads, too. A drift of astilbe boasts a lovely mass of feathery plumes in summer, and dried seed heads are spectacular dusted with snow. Amber Moon is a newer variety that caught my eye this season. Chartreuse foliage begins with a tinge of red; spikes of rosy pink flowers sparkle in the midsummer garden; and chartreuse foliage blends well with other fall-painted foliage. Give astilbes moist soil in part shade, and they will excel.
Clematis is the royal family of perennial vines. A profusion of gorgeous flowers in just about any color bloom from early spring to frost depending on variety. Just as dramatic as the flowers, the showy feathery, ball-shaped seed heads appear after flowers have faded. Plant clematis where their flowers will bathe in sunshine but their roots will remain cool.
Joe-pye weed is one of my favorite perennials. Foliage held on sturdy wine-red stems burst from the earth in spring; mauve pink flowers bloom from midsummer to fall; and flat-topped seed heads hold snow like frosting on a cake. Gateway reaches up to 6 feet tall. Little Joe grows 3 to 4 feet tall; and Baby Joe tops out at just 2 feet. A butterfly magnet, Joe-pye weed belongs in every sunny garden.
The fuzzy flower buds of pasque flower open to delightful purple flowers for four to six weeks in spring followed by equally impressive fluffy spherical seed heads. Pasque flower is an ideal candidate for the sunny rock garden.
The succulent foliage of sedums holds long-lasting flower clusters from late summer into fall when color in the landscape is beginning to wane. In winter, sedums welcome snow to embellish their flat-topped seed heads. Carl is an upright cultivar topped with bright pink flowers; the deep purple foliage of Purple Emperor holds rosy pink blooms, and the most commonly-grown variety, Autumn Joy, sports dusty pink flowers that deepen to reddish bronze.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist and garden center manager at The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield. Call (630) 293-1040, ext. 2, or visit planterspalette.com.