How to Choose Flower Supports
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| A grid-style support offers works well with most perennials. However, it must be set up early, so the plant can grow through the grid. |
A beautiful perennial border is the result good plant choices, careful siting and something you don't usually see: flower supports. Even the best-planned perennial borders need a little infrastructure. And with the right supports, anyone can add get that "master gardener" look. The key tools are support grids, rings, metal linking stakes, bamboo stakes and poles. If you have a few of each kind on hand, you'll be ready for the season's challenges.
There are two approaches to flower support: preventive and remedial. Preventive staking is required for the "known floppers," such as double peonies. The key is to get these supports in place before the plants grow tall enough to need them. That way, the plant grows through the support and the whole thing is integrated—and pretty much invisible. Grid-type supports are good for plants that need a lot of support, such as peonies. Ring-style supports are best for perennials that tend to splay outward, just before they bloom. Asters often do this, but the rings serve to keep the clump tidy without making it look trussed up.
Remedial supports come in handy when you've forgotten to plan ahead, or when plants flop unpredictably. All you need is a little creativity, a roll of plant ties and a variety of supports: linking stakes, bamboo stakes and poles, stem supports and, of course, a big ball of string.
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Ring-style supports
It's important to set up ring-style supports before the plants have grown very tall. There are several styles, including some with double-sets of rings and others, such as the 26" Grow-Through Supports (at left), which have an interior ring for added support.
Plants that benefit: Large cosmos ('Sensation'); dinnerplate-style dahlias; delphiniums; phlox; Alcea (hollyhocks); Platycodon grandiflorus (balloon flower); Helenium autumnale; Filipendula rubra; Gaillardia grandiflora (blanket flower); Malva alcea 'Fastigiata'; Rudbeckia nitida 'Herbstsonne'; Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's root); Cimicifuga racemosa; thalictrum
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Grid-style supports
Just like the ring-style supports, these have to be put in place early so the plant can grow through the grid. Because of the grids, these offer a bit more support than the ring-style supports. Choose the size (12", 16" or 20" based on the expected size of the plant. A tip for installing them level: Put the legs in first (without the circular grid) and get them positioned at the same height. Then, snap the grid into position.
Plants that benefit: Peonies; eryngium; phlox; helenium; cimicifuga; asters; solidago; perovskia; liatris; cosmos; snapdragon (tall varieties); zinnias; platycodon; monkshood; baptisia; Amsonia tabernaemontana; Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank'; Gaillardia grandiflora; leucanthemum (taller varieties); Geranium 'Johnson's Blue
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Linking stakes and Y-stakes
Curved Link Stakes, at left, and Y-stakes are perfect for plants that have flopped. They're also ideal for keeping plants from leaning into a pathway or controlling vigorous plants that are smothering less-vigorous neighbors. Both types of stakes can be used anywhere. You can encircle the clump or weave a line of stakes through the center, providing extra support to the core.
Plants that benefit: Use these stakes anywhere you see a need. Just add or subtract sections to suit your purpose.
Examples:
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Stem supports, gathering rings
Single-Stem Supports and Gathering Rings are for plants that need support when they're in bloom. They also come in handy when a plant puts out a bloom spike that is a little weak, or flops into surrounding foliage. Zinnias, for instance, are usually fine without support. But, every once in a while, a plant will develop a weak stem or get toppled by strong winds. In cases like this, stem supports and gathering rings provide a quick rescue.
Plants that benefit: Oriental and Asiatic lilies (shorter cultivars), gladiolus, bearded irises, Nicotiana alata, zinnias, Belamcanda chinensis, eryngium (sea holly), digitalis (foxglove), verbascum
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Stakes and poles
Bamboo Poles and Rainbow Spirals are for tall plants, such as castor beans, hollyhocks, dinnerplate dahlias—even sunflowers. In general, these tall plants support themselves—until you get a big storm. Once these have reached 4 feet or so, stake them with 5-foot bamboo poles and Velcro ties. If done carefully, the staking isn't noticeable, and the plants will stand up to summer storms. Use the stakes for smaller plants with heavy bloom spikes, such as delphiniums. Run the stake up the length of the bloom spike, keeping it right up against the stem. It's tedious work, but it pays off when the flowers get heavy with rain.
Plants that benefit: Use bamboo poles for tall perennials and annuals (over 5 feet). You can also create a grow-through grid for tall plants, such as a clump of hollyhocks: Surround the clump with several bamboo poles. Then, use twine to create a grid by connecting the poles, criss-crossing and encircling the clump. If you grow dinnerplate dahlias, try the Rainbow Spirals. They're functional and whimsical. The bamboo stakes can be used to provide intense reinforcement for prized blooms or add support wherever it's needed.
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