last year I transplanted all my peonies & roses to my front yard. last fall I discovered some pine needles across the street, in the street just laying there. so, I just threw them on top of my peony & rose roots. this year they came up & bloomed for me. which I didn't think they would just a year later. so, try pine needles they worked great for me. I plan on doing the same this year. I also don't rake my leaves up till spring either. I just let them compost on the yard all winter long. but then my grass is long gone, my yard is mostly covered in flowers most of the year. I have some pink cosmos blooming right now actually. even if it is the middle of november in zone 5.