Garden Attractors Collection

Fall Planting Roots Upon Arrival: 

It is very important to plant these dormant perennials as soon as possible after you receive them. If it is absolutely necessary to store them for a short time before planting them, open the cartons and any plastic that is around the roots. If the roots appear dry, soak them for a few hours in warm water. Thereafter 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 packaged, peat-based potting soil and pots with drainage holes.

Planting Painted Daisies: 

Plant in full sun, 1" below soil surface, 18-24" apart in well drained soil. Removing faded flowers will prolong the bloom time. Trimming the foliage back after blooming will help to rejuvenate the plant. If rabbits are a problem in your area, you'll need to protect this plant as it is one of their favorites. Divide in the spring or in the fall every 2 years to maintain vigour.

Planting Black Eyed Susan:  

Plant 2 ft. apart in full sun to part shade in ordinary soil so tops of plants are level with the surface.
Growing:  Once established, Black-eyed Susies form large, dense clumps that will tolerate considerable drought.  Deadheading spent blooms encourages a longer blooming season. Plants are easily divided in spring when they become crowded.

Planting Bleeding Heart:  

Dicentra should be planted with the crown 2″ below the soil line and 12-24" apart.  Plant in moist, rich, well-drained soil in full to part shade.
Growing:  Keep plants well watered throughout the summer, especially in warmer weather.  Leaves are susceptible to leaf spot. The easiest solution is to shear back the affected foliage.
Dividing:  Dicentra should be divided after flowering, so you don’t sacrifice bloom. The fringed-leaf varieties divide nicely early in spring, as they are emerging.

Planting Creeping Phlox:  

Select a location in full sun with a well amended soil that is evenly moist. Make sure there is good air circulation. Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6-12, inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible. The addition of organic matter (leaf mold, compost, well-rotted manure) benefits all gardens and is essential in recently constructed neighborhoods. Dig a hole deep and wide enough to accommodate the bare root. Set the plant such that the crown is at or just slightly below the ground level. Allow roots to fan out from the crown at around a 45 degree angle. Roots should spread out separately, like stretched fingers, from the crown, and not bunch up. It may be helpful to build a cone-shaped mound of soil in the bottom of the hole and spread the roots around it. It is important to set the roots such that the crown is roughly level with the ground. Cover the roots with soil and tamp down firmly to get rid of air pockets. Fill the soil to just below the crown, where the top growth and leaves will emerge. Make sure all the roots under the crown are in good contact with the soil. Water well to fully saturate the roots and soil. Wait until new growth starts to appear before applying a layer of mulch. Space the roots 1-2 feet apart.
Growing: Once established, creeping phlox is a drought-tolerant plant that requires supplemental water only during warm, dry weather. A yearly pruning with a weed trimmer or garden clippers keeps phlox looking neat and healthy year after year. Prune after the blooms fade in late spring.

Planting Clematis:

Clematis can be grown in full sun or light shade, but its base and roots must be completely shaded. You may need to plant something directly in front of its rootball to keep it cool and shaded. A thick layer of mulch will also help to keep the soil moist. Bush Clematis prefers to be grown in average, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Adding lime to the soil will help to provide these conditions if your soil is naturally acidic.
Growing: These varieties bloom first on new growth beginning in midsummer, and then again on new shoots in early fall. The second round will likely produce smaller flowers than the first and flowers that were double the first time may be single the second time. Though their growth habit makes them difficult to prune, it can be done in late winter or early spring. All shoots can be cut back to the previous year's wood, just above the base of the plant. This pruning is necessary to avoid getting a bare stem with a thick tangle above it. The spring flowers will be eliminated for that year, but the late summer flowers should still be produced. Alternatively, if you don't want to cut the entire plant back all at once, pruning can be done in stages over a period of 3 years. Each year, prune back ⅓ of the stems to 6-9" above a couple of well-developed buds.