To understand when to feed us, you must first understand our life cycle. We are ephemeral by nature, meaning our above-ground presence is fleeting but powerful. In early spring, we surge from our slumber, using stored energy to rapidly push forth our characteristic arching stems and heart-shaped blossoms. This is a period of immense energy expenditure. After flowering, our foliage remains, photosynthesizing and gathering energy to be stored back in our roots (rhizomes) for next year's show. As summer heat intensifies, we begin to yellow and retreat back into the soil, entering a period of dormancy until the cool temperatures of the next spring return. Our fertilization needs are directly tied to this cycle of growth, energy storage, and rest.
The absolute best time to offer us fertilizer is as we are breaking dormancy in early spring. Look for the first pinkish-red shoots nosing through the soil. This application provides a gentle, accessible nutrient boost right when we need it most to fuel our rapid growth and prolific blooming. A second, lighter feeding can be beneficial immediately after the flowers fade. This post-bloom snack helps replenish our energy reserves as our leaves work hard to photosynthesize and prepare for dormancy. Crucially, you must never fertilize us as we are entering dormancy (when foliage yellows) or during our dormant period. This can disrupt our natural rest cycle and potentially force tender new growth that will be damaged by frost.
We are not heavy feeders and are sensitive to over-fertilization, which can lead to lush foliage at the expense of flowers or even burn our roots. A balanced, slow-release, granular fertilizer, such as a 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 formula, is ideal. The higher phosphorus (the middle number) supports strong root development and beautiful blooms. Alternatively, a top dressing of well-composted manure or compost is a perfect meal, providing nutrients while also improving soil structure and moisture retention. Simply sprinkle the granules or compost around our drip line (the soil area beneath the outermost reaches of our foliage), taking care to keep it a few inches away from our central crown. Then, water thoroughly. This helps integrate the fertilizer into the soil and delivers it to our root zone without causing shock.
While targeted fertilization is helpful, the true secret to our lush growth lies in the native condition of our soil. We thrive in rich, humusy soil that is well-draining yet consistently moist. Amending the planting area with generous amounts of compost or leaf mold at the time of planting creates a sustainable reservoir of nutrients and fosters a healthy soil microbiome. This rich foundation often reduces our need for supplemental fertilizer, allowing us to draw what we need naturally. Think of fertilizer as a vitamin supplement, while the compost-rich soil is our main, well-balanced diet.
