Herbaceous Perennial Plants

When you receive your order, open the bags and check the stock immediately. Roots and crowns should be firm and pliable. Surface mold is harmless and will not affect the plant’s future performance. Store plants in their packaging in a cool (35–40°) location until you are ready to plant. If it’s going to be awhile, you can pot up your perennials.

Do not plant bare-root perennial plant crowns directly outdoors before danger of frost has passed. Wet and/or cold conditions for an extended period may cause rotting.

Planting Bare-root Perennials

• Dig a hole 2 or 3 times bigger than the plant stock.
• Add a little compost if needed.
• Fan or spread out the roots to encourage root development.
• Fill hole with soil, pressing out air pockets as you go.
• Keep the planting area free of weeds.
• Mulch around the crown with straw or wood chips.
• Avoid applying mulch directly on top of crowns as they could rot.
• Mark the location with a plant label.
• Check your plants daily in the first 2 weeks after planting!

If you cannot plant right away, you have two options:

1. Store bags of bare-root plants in a dark and cool (35–40Ëš) place.
2. Pot up plants in well-drained slightly moist potting mix. Avoid coiling the roots in the bottom of undersized containers. Set pots in a protected spot in part-shade until you’re ready to plant.

You must protect your herbaceous perennials from:

• Freezing
• Sun-shock in the first 2 weeks
• Long periods of cold and wet conditions
• Too much or too little water
• Absentee gardening!

Joe Pye Weed

Tall architectural clump-forming North American native wildflowers feature big soft terminal clusters of mini pink florets on strong stems from midsummer to early fall. Whorls of lance-shaped serrated leaves look good all summer. Chickadees like to pick at the tawny dried seed heads in winter. Flowers can be used for dyeing.

Choose a planting site where Eutrochium can naturalize at the back of a border, or along the edge of a wood. We’ve let ours spread into a tall perennial hedge right along the front of the house where it mingles in full sun with globe thistle and goldenrod. The deer don’t seem interested, but pollinators abound!

Native to eastern North America, found along the edges of moving water, in damp meadows, and in moist roadside ditches. Readily spreads from seed and underground rhizomes, so plant it thoughtfully if you are working in a small space. All three species we’re offering do well in moist soil and full sun. They can handle part to full shade, although they might need support.