Plants to get in the ground sooner rather than later
Most plants are somewhat flexible about when they're planted, but there are a few that do best with earlier establishment.
The key to these plants is to get them planted as early in the season as possible and encourage them to put down roots. Use root simulator when you plant, and give your new plants regular water throughout the remainder of the growing season. You'll be rewarded with gorgeous perennials that come back year after year!
Igloo Mums
Most people grow mums as annuals, but did you know that certain types can be established as perennials if they're planted early enough? Among the most reliable perennial mums are the Igloo varieties.
Left, from top to bottom: Fireworks Igloo, Snowy Igloo, Cool Igloo
Right, from top to bottom: Sundance Igloo, Pumpkin Igloo
Butterfly Bush
This classic pollinator plant expends so much energy on showy showers of flowers that it needs a lot of lead time to put down roots.
Echinacea (Coneflower)
These multi-colored garden gems begin flowering in early summer, with many continuing all the way to frost! With such an impressive output of color, it's no wonder that they need as much time to establish as they can get before winter.
Delphinium
These delicate beauties in sprays of opalescent colors are garden show-stoppers. Many varieties will re-bloom in fall if the first flowers of the season are promptly deadheaded. For best results, establish Delphinium as early in the season as possible, in a well drained, sunny spot that gets light afternoon shade.
Ornamental Grasses (Many)
The ornamental grasses with fibrous root systems take the longest to establish. These include Maiden Grass, Sedges, Fountain Grass and Hardy Pampas Grass.
Gaillardia
These bicolor Southwestern natives are also known as "Blanket Flower," a probable reference to the eye-catching blankets woven by the Pueblo and Navajo tribes. Being desert natives, Gaillardia appreciate a sunny spot with good drainage, and they need to be well established before winter comes. Not long-lived, but self-seeds when happy.
Anise Hyssop
Yet another pollinator plant that flowers long and late, Anise Hyssop is also an elegant addition to the herb garden. The leaves smell of black licorice when rubbed, and they make an excellent tea. Establish asap for strongest growth. Not long-lived, but self-seeds when happy.
Image courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.
Coreopsis (Most)
With the exception of the Threadleaf Coreopsis, most varieties of this flowering powerhouse do best with early establishment.
Lavender (Perennial)
There's a lot of confusion surrounding this fragrant herb, so let's sort it out!
•If you want to use your Lavender for cooking, you should choose an English variety (Lavandula angustifolia.) Both the flowers and the leaves are edible. The leaves make a good perennial substitute for Rosemary.
•Most English Lavenders are perennial in Central Illinois, provided that you establish them early enough.
•If you want to use your Lavender strictly for scent, choose one of the "Lavandins" (L. x intermedia.) These are Portuguese Lavender crossed with English Lavender, and they tend to be larger, vigorous plants with a higher essential oil content. They aren't quite as hardy as English Lavender.
•The French and Spanish Lavenders aren't generally perennial in our climate, but you can grow any type of Lavender as an annual.
All Lavenders will benefit from early establishment, full sun and good drainage. The more tender types appreciate a sheltered growing spot.
Helenium
This beautiful native perennial lights up the Autumn garden, making it another perennial best put in the ground early.
Also rather unfairly known as "Sneezeweed," Helenium, like Goldenrod, happens to bloom at the same time as the inconspicuous but allergy-inducing Ragweed, and was incorrectly blamed for Autumn hay fever. This is the actual culprit:
Think you could pick it out of a lineup? Every Ragweed plant can release more than a billion grains of pollen, so pull them out if you find them lurking in your yard!
Sweet William
Most varieties of this fragrant old-fashioned favorite are grown as annuals or biennials, but we carry true perennial Sweet William. Give it a jump on next spring by putting it in the ground as early as you can!
Get growing!
If you've been thinking about adding any of these perennials to your garden this year, don't wait! The sooner you get them in the ground, the better they'll thrive.
Got Landscape Problems?
We have solutions!
This summer we're offering four free problem-solving garden plans, crafted by our experts to give you six months or more of color! Too many deer and rabbits? Not enough water? Too much shade? Want to attract more pollinators? We've got the plans for you!
Pictured above: Astilbe, which flowers happily in well-watered, shady spots. You'll find it featured in our deep shade garden plan.
Hurry in with your Hardy Bucks!
Get out those Hardy Bucks that you've been saving, because now is the time to spend them. From July 15th to August 15th, use your Hardy Bucks to make your own sale!
In case you're new to Hardy Bucks or you need a refresher, here's how they work:
We issue Hardy Bucks with every retail purchase of $20 or more between April 1st and June 15th.
From July 15th to August 15th, (right now!) you can bring them in to spend
Hardy Bucks can be used toward the purchase of any in-stock item in the Garden Center or at Stone Market
Hardy Bucks may not be used toward taxes, services, payment on account, special orders, previous orders, or tree spade trees
You can use your Hardy Bucks to cover up to 50% of the price of any item.
Only retail customers may use Hardy Bucks.
Holding, tagging, and rain checks are not allowed during Hardy Bucks.
Items purchased before the Hardy Bucks redemption period may not be returned and re-purchased during the Hardy Bucks redemption period.
Hardy Bucks never expire, so you can use Hardy Bucks from previous years!
Items vanish fast during Hardy Bucks, so if there's something you've had your eye on, take it home before it disappears!
On Sale While Supplies Last
Select Herbs – 50% off
Spring Annuals – 50% off
Spring Veggies – Buy 1, Get 1 Free
Hand-blown art glass hummingbird feeders – $19.99
(Regular $24.99)
The Green Thumb Gardening Show is back on 1470 WMBD, at 7am on Saturday mornings! Tune in to hear Ethan Wise and Dan Diorio talk gardening for Central Illinois.
