Staking Perennial Flowers
Using Peony Ring Stakes String Grids Pea Sticks to Support Flowers
Top heavy floppy perennials need staking. Learn ways to stake flowers such as peonies, lilies, delphiniums or gladiolus to hold them safely upright in the flower garden.
There are many methods of staking perennial flowers in the flower garden. Some staking techniques are better suited to a specific type of flower such as the single stake for delphiniums and the namesake peony ring for peonies, but perennial gardeners have many choices when it comes to staking. (Also see Staking Flowers for a general guide to when and why we stake flowers.) Consider the following methods of staking perennials (and other flowers too) and see which will work best for you in your own flower garden.
- Using a Single Stake
These tall straight stakes can be bamboo or wood or plastic coated metal or improvised from iron rebar or pipe. Tie the plant using a figure eight pattern, meaning one loop of string around the plant stem and one loop of string around the support. Use soft string, pupose-made plant ties, or strips of stretchy nylon fabric (such as panty hose) Wait to tie it up until the stem is its full height, but do tie it before the flowers open and make the plant top heavy. Do not tie too tight. Typically done for single stem plants like dahlia, hollyhock, delphinium, gladiolus, or lily bulbs.
- Using Single Stem Supports
Metal stakes with a spiral or hook to support the bloom. Use instead of single stake described above.
- How to Support Flowers with Pea Sticks
Twiggy branches stuck into the ground (twiggy end up, stem end down), the plant grows up through the branches and hides them. Good for dense growers like coreopsis. Ideal for cottage gardens and informal flower gardens.
- Staking Flowers with Perimeter Stakes and String
Set the stakes in the ground in a circle around the plant; tie string around the outside and cross ways over the middle in a spider web pattern. Five stakes is a good number, use more for a wider plant. Can work well for peonies, asters, daisies.
- Install Wire Mesh or Grid Supports
Purpose made wire mesh with detachable legs or improvised from chicken wire or wire fencing. Plants grow up through it as with the above stakes and string model.
- Use Peony Ring to Support Flopping Peonies and Other Flowers
A large and sturdy metal ring made especially for supporting peonies. Prevents them falling flat after a rainstorm. Can also be used for other large perennials if needed. Install the ring just as the peonies begin to emerge in the spring. Remove in fall and store for winter.
- Adapt Tomato Supports and Cages for Flower Garden
In some cases a tomato ring or other support mechanism intended for tomatoes can be used for mid sized flowers.
- How to Use Linking Stakes to Stake Perennial Flowers
Metal stakes (often powder coated or plastic coated) made to link together -- as the name implies -- to fit nearly any flower or perennial plant. Can be used in place of stakes and string, mesh or peony ring described above. Bring indoors for winter. Space saving designs store flat. Unlike most methods, can be installed later in the season when plants have already grown quite a bit.
The above list offers many different methods of staking perennial flowers and plants so you should find just the right way to stake your flowers. With a little practice, you will have your flowers staked perfectly in no time. And for guidelines to when to stake your flowers and why we stake them, also see Staking Flowers.
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Copyright March 13 2007 Barbara Martin All Rights Reserved
