Bee Kind Pollinator Blend

Upon Arrival:

It is very important to plant as soon as possible after you receive them. If it is necessary to store them for a short time before planting them, open the plastic bags. If the roots appear dry, soak them for a few hours in warm water. Store in slightly moist peat moss in a cold, but not freezing location until you can plant. They can also be placed in pots of soil if planting will be delayed for more than 2 weeks. Use any peat-based potting soil and pots with drainage holes.

Soak bare-root perennials in water for a few hours before planting. Unless otherwise specified, bare-root perennials are usually planted with the crown (where the shoots meet the roots) an inch below the soil surface. Firm soil gently to eliminate air pockets and water in well. Mark the area clearly since it may be a while before the plant shows itself.

Planting Coneflower:  Echinaceae grow well in full sun to light shade in any well-drained soil and are quite drought tolerant once established. Plant with crowns just under soil surface. Space plants 18"-24" apart. Deadhead the flowers to encourage continued bloom. Dig and divide in spring or fall if they start to die out in the center or outgrow the space.

Planting Sea Holly:  Plant in a fast-draining, infertile soil with full sun. Avoid clay soils. Mulch with gravel or not at all. Water regularly the first growing season to establish the plant. Thereafter, infrequent but deep watering is all this plant needs. Deadheading is not needed as it will not extend the bloom season or bring the plants back into flower. Fertilize lightly in the fall with a good quality compost. Eryngium is a tap rooted plant and does not like to be transplanted once established.  Don't divide as tap rooted plants resent having their roots disturbed.Seed heads are ornamental and attract seed-eating songbirds.These are low care perennials that don't like rich soil or a lot of water; this makes the plants leggy and prone to flopping.

Planting Crocosmia:  Use crocosmia in large groups in the border wherever you need a splash of vivid colour in late summer. Plant the corms outdoors in spring, after danger of frost, in full sun to light shade, spacing them 4-5" apart, and cover with 3-6" of soil. Feed with a 5-10-5 fertilizer when shoots appear and again in midsummer. Apply a heavy winter mulch. Where crocosmia are hardy, dig the clumps up and divide the crowded corms every third spring. North of Zone 5, lift the corms, cut off the stems and store with the soil still clinging to them in a dry potting medium.

Planting Phlox:  Plant 12"-15" apart with growing tips 1" below soil surface. They need full sun and organically enriched soil and benefit greatly from monthly fertilizing. They will form sizable clumps which can be divided every 3 years.Cut off spent flowers to extend the bloom time. Water during dry periods. Taller varieties may need staking. To prevent powdery mildew, provide good air circulation, keep plants healthy, and use wettable sulfur at the first sign of infection.

Planting Astilbe:  Cover the crown, including emerging shoots, with about 1/2" of soil and space at least 1' apart. Astilbes require moist, organic, slightly acid soil and partial shade although they will tolerate more sun if there is ample moisture. Mulch in summer and incorporate organic matter into the soil. Dig and divide every 3-4 years in early spring or fall.