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What do I do with these plants?
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Posted by nico6196 Z5a (My Page) on Sun, Oct 18, 09 at 11:13
| I planted some Rumex sanguineus, Arizona Sun Blanket Flower and Veronica Speedwell this summer. Not sure if I need to do anything with them this fall (ie. cut them back)? Can someone help me? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: What do I do with these plants?
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| I never cut my perennials back until spring--something I learned from Ken Beatie from get growing--The plants sticking up collects the snow and that gives protection to the roots. A good rule of thumb is if you are unsure about a plant needing winter protection is to give a good layer of mulch to the roots anyway. If it would do with out it it will be better with it and if it needs it it's got it. I mulch all my perennials. Not sure about the first one but blanket flowers and Veronica are pretty hardy. |
RE: What do I do with these plants?
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| Yes I mulch all my plants for winter and leave it there though summer too, breaking down an providing much needed nutrients. It is like the forest floor ;) There is the idea that leaving the stalks can harbour pests in them. That is a yes and no thing I think... since they could hide in the mulch anyways. Speedwell does alright here in zone 2 blanket flower is actually a bi-annual and does well here z2 and reseeds itself. Rumex sanguineus I think is z5-6 so is not so hardy for colder zones. |
RE: What do I do with these plants?
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| This is just a "heads up" to say that I have grown several different gaillardia cultivars including Arizona Sun and have found that most overwinter fine and live for several years with minimal care. However, I have purchased and planted several plants of Arizona Sun over the last 3-4 years and found them not to live long for me. Maybe it has more genes of the annual gaillardia species. Goblin, Burgundy and some un-named ones do much better in my garden. |
RE: What do I do with these plants?
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- Posted by jroot 5A Ont. Canada (near (My Page) on
Fri, Oct 30, 09 at 16:54
| I usually cut all perennials down in the late fall. I do leave 4 - 6 inches of stem, just to trap the snow for more insulation. In the spring, I don't have to walk on the saturated soil to clean up. Works for me. |
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