Plants that succumb to the weight of their blossoms and sag don’t enhance your garden’s charm; instead, they mar the visual harmony. Even robust-stemmed, taller flowering plants may buckle under the force of intense winds and downpours. Other specimens produce such heavy individual flowers or flower stalks that their stems struggle to bear the load, necessitating the use of stakes for support.
There’s a plethora of staking methods and materials available, each with its own advantages depending on the type of flowering plant. The requirement for staking is determined by the specific plant species and your unique growing conditions, including light, weather, and soil type. However, the following flowers typically always profit from additional reinforcement.
Asters (Symphiotrichum spp.) are hassle-free perennials that usually flower in summer and autumn. Varieties reaching 3½ feet or higher should be staked to avoid collapsing. Grow-through grids and tomato cages serve this purpose well, as does a circular enclosure of chicken wire.
Tall balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) are perfect candidates for staking, given their wiry and fragile stems, which often succumb to the weight of their blooms without support. Smaller, more compact types might not need staking. Various techniques are suitable for taller balloon flowers, such as grow-through grids, tomato cages, or positioning twigs near the plant’s base.
It’s best to insert stakes early on, so they blend in as the plant matures, providing unobtrusive support that doesn’t detract from the plant’s aesthetic.
Boltonia (Boltonia asteroides) is a late-summer bloomer that generates an abundance of white, daisy-like flowers. Reaching 3 to 6 feet in height, this North American native perennial requires support to keep its flowering stems standing tall. Grow-through grids, tomato cages, and twig stakes are all viable options.
Some cosmos strains shoot up to 5 or 6 feet and gain from staking. These annuals produce a wealth of summer flowers on delicate stems. Group planting or positioning them amidst other plants can help maintain their stability, but taller types may still sag onto their neighbors as the season advances. To forestall this, use a grow-through grid or encircle them with bamboo stakes and string.
Tall dahlias demand strong stakes, or the use of metal, bamboo, or tomato cages to prop up their substantial blossoms, which can be as wide as a dinner plate. As the plants grow, ties should be applied at intervals to secure individual stems to stakes using soft fabric, stocking snippets, twine, or string. Stakes should be inserted at the time of planting to prevent damage to the tubers.
Delphiniums, towering and regal, add a striking vertical element to borders. Certain types can soar to 7 feet in height and require staking to keep their stunning flowers from drooping. A single stake per stem is the preferred method, while for groups of delphiniums, a bamboo pole and string grid is also effective.
While shorter foxglove varieties (Digitalis spp.) may manage without stakes, the taller ones often become unbalanced. Stake individual stems with bamboo, and for multiple stems, consider a grow-through grid or tomato cage.
Gladiolus possess heavy flower stalks that necessitate support, particularly in blustery, wet weather. Certain types can grow to 5 feet in height. Shorter varieties planted together may offer mutual support, but a grid is ideal for the taller types. Secure lattice or hog wire to stakes in the ground, parallel to the soil, allowing the stems to grow through and prevent sagging.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) brings vibrant gold and yellow hues to the late-season garden, growing 3 to 5 feet high. Especially the taller varieties benefit from staking. Grow-through grids are excellent for mass plantings, while tomato cages are suitable for individual plants.
Helenium (Helenium autumnale) may forgo staking when grown in clusters or near other plants, particularly the shorter sorts. However, the taller types, reaching 5 feet, should be staked to keep them from toppling over and overwhelming neighboring plants. Tomato cages and grow-through grids are effective here.
These towering traditional cottage garden favorites, often reaching 6 to 8 feet, require support. Most hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are biennials, with some being short-lived perennials that re-seed themselves. Planting them near a fence or trellis for wind protection and using it as a support by tying the stems is beneficial. Robust metal or bamboo stakes are also useful for supporting individual stems.
Tall lilies (Lilium spp.) can grow to 4 to 6 feet or more, carrying large, heavy blossoms. Staking ensures the stems remain erect and the flowers clear of the ground. Strong individual stakes are suitable, and to avoid piercing the bulb, they should be placed at planting time. Alternatively, the North American Lily Society suggests an initial short stake, replaced with a taller one as the lily grows. Planting lilies in front of a fence or trellis for tying is also effective.
Lupines (Lupinus x hybrida) are annuals or short-lived perennials with densely packed blooms that emerge on stiff stalks in spring and early summer. Their fragile stems, reaching up to 4 feet high, are highly susceptible to wind damage, making staking essential for taller types. Individual bamboo stakes or a grow-through grid are suitable supports.
Chinese peonies (Paeonia lactiflora and hybrids) are enduring perennials cherished for their large, heavy flowers, which often bend to the ground after rain. Use stakes, grow-through grids, tomato cages, or homemade bamboo and string corrals for support. Tree peonies and Itoh peonies generally have sturdier stems and may not need staking.
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are cool-season annuals or tender perennials that come in a variety of colors. Encouraging shorter, bushier plants can be achieved by regularly pinching tall varieties back. For those who prefer the taller stems, staking is necessary as the flowers become top-heavy and the stems might break or sag after rain. Use grow-through hoops, a trellis, or a hog-wire grid to maintain their posture.
