Keeping a perennial garden looking good should not be to difficult if you choose and plant carefully.

The following routine tasks should be performed.

• After planting new perennials water well and continue to water carefully during the first year after planting as this is when your perennials are becoming established. Afterward, water each week during the growing season if there is no rain to supply the needed water.
• Control weeds, especially perennial weeds by digging them out. Mulch should control annual weeds.
• Remove dead foliage off perennials after the first hard freeze in the fall or cut it back before new growth begins in spring. If you grow perennials that are barely hardy for your growing zone leaving the dead foliage until early spring provides some winter protection.
• Divide perennials as necessary. Most perennials should be divided every 2 to 3 years.
• Deadhead as needed. Some perennial flowers need to be deadheaded so that the keep blooming.
• Stake plants that tend to grow tall and fall over.
• Fertilize your perennials each spring.