Poundridge Nurseries, Inc. - Blog

Perennials are not like trees and shrubs. When you buy a tree you judge their branching structure and outward vigor because when you buy a tree you are paying for the time and effort that was put into growing it for several years. That’s why the price for woody plants increases exponentially with their size. The larger the tree or shrub the older it is, and the older it is the more resources the grower has put into growing it. Perennial plants die back to the ground each year, so their value is all in the pot. When purchasing perennials you basically want to choose good roots.

As the roots of perennials grow larger they are able to support more growth and in turn produce more beautiful blooms and handsome foliage. This progression of growth is where the perennial gardener’s adage “The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap” comes from. The first season after you plant a perennial it may appear to be asleep above ground, but rest assured, below ground their roots are very much awake, growing larger and spreading throughout the bed in search of nutrients. The second year, the year they creep, you will see additional growth above ground because the roots are larger and can support a larger plant. Then, in the third year, when their roots are fully formed, the perennial will seem to leap, assuming a fully mature size. So the next time you pick up a new perennial for your garden remember “The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap.” It will remind you to let your plants come into their own in their own time.