non staking plants

by yvonne
(chicago, IL)

I want to add several plants to my perennial garden this year - thinking about butterfly weed and baptisia. However, my criteria is that I hate to stake plants. In a full sun zone 5b (eastern exposure) garden with moderately fertile soil will they require staking?

Also, my sedum 'matrona' always flops in the middle. If i cut it back to 6in when it is 12 in high and repeat that process several times will the sedum remain short enough not to flop? Or should I replace it with a newer non flopping sedum? If you suggest replacement what cultivars are on the market now?

Doug says that both the Baptisia and Asclepias should not flop in full sun and moderately fertile soils. Neither frankly, should Sedum 'Matrona'. My guess is you're feeding and watering too much and creating excessively tender or soft growth. Dial back the plant food (compost only) - only water when the garden requires absolutely requires it (always assuming full hot sunshine) and you'll be fine.

Otherwise, plant the floppier ones next to more upright varieties that will hold them up. I never stake my perennial garden, relying on other plants or growing techniques to keep them short.

And yes, a single pruning of most plants (usually when the plant gets to 12" tall and cutting it back to 8-inches) will force a bushier plant with less tendency to flop.