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Mertensia virginica - Fall Planting

14 years ago

I acquired a few dormant Mertensia virginica plants which are just roots in nursery pots.

I couldn't help myself.

The only thing I could find about planting time said "through mid-Fall"...Fall is Sept. 22 through Dec. 21 in 2009.

Am I still good to plant these as soon as ground dries out around end of next week after rain forecasted to break for a while?

I'm thinking they'd be better off spending the winter in the ground rather in nursery pots but never had them so would appreciate confirmation of planting feasibility in next week or two from people with experience.

Can't wait til next Spring to see these bloom if what I was told of their "blooming age" was correct. Even if I just see foliage next Spring that will be fine...as long as I see foliage I'll know they survived their first Winter inground.

Have Allium unifolium bulbs which I think I'll plant near them on a mound for a bit drier conditions and add something to mask dying foliage of both Mertensia and Allium.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

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Comments (4)

Lynda Waldrep
14 years ago
I planted many of mine in October, and they came up and bloomed just fine. (I am in a cold zone 7.) I put ferns in the same bed to have something after the mertensias go down. They do spread, so give them some room, i.e., don't plant too closely.
MissMyGardens
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you, ncrescue.

Planting too closely is a "gardening fault" of mine but I'll give these plants the room they deserve and need.
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ontnative
14 years ago
I would plant your Mertensia and Allium unifolium as soon as possible. They should be dormant right now so should adjust easily to being transplanted. If it rains after you plant them, so much the better. You won't have to water them so much yourself.
terrene
14 years ago
I received a small pot of Mertensia virginiana at a swap in 2008. The poor thing sat in the pot for over a year, until I finally planted it last month. Since it made it through a winter in the pot ghetto (protected fairly well), I figure it will make it through the winter in the ground just fine.

I can't wait to see these bloom too.

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