Re: Improving the Soil--a BUNCH of questions!
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Improving the Soil--a BUNCH of questions!
- From: P* H*
- Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 19:25:21 EST
In a message dated 01/24/2001 6:13:40 PM Central Standard Time,
akloski@JPS.NET writes:
<< > Would you, and others too, address the subject of re-working perennial
borders vs shrub borders? (since I like to mix my shrubs, trees, and
perennials). Why do perennial beds need to be re-worked over the years, and
shrub borders don't?
>>
Anelle has a good point about perennials becoming crowded.
One other factor is the type of root system that most shrubs/trees have. Most
good soils were trees and shrubs grow in the wild are only 3-8 inches deep,
so they have root systems that are shallow and spread out from the center of
the clump-it does them no good to keep there long shallow roots trimmed off
close to their stems.
None woody perennials for the most part have roots that go straight down,
this is not true for all perennials but many.
Also shrubs and trees have thick woody roots that they take many years to
grow-none woody perennials can grow back new roots in a short time if they
loss a few during the "Freshing" up work. When shrubs lose roots-they have to
expend much more energy to replace those roots.
Paul
