What is the best season for planting liriope?

Q. Howdy. Have you had customers successfully plant [Liriope] in summer? What is the best season for planting? - Carl from TX

A. Liriope is a very tough critter. Though I could tell you amazing stories, I don't want to give you the impression that it's indestructible. So, I'll simply say that you can plant in summer if you are able to irrigate sufficiently until it has taken root in the soil. Irrigate, then allow the soil to dry briefly between waterings. No soggy soil, nor bone dry. If that's not possible due to travel plans, wait until fall when temperatures have moderated and rainfall is more frequent.

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How should I take care of bare root plants until I plant them?

Hedera helix - bare root

 Q. If I buy bare root plants from you, how should I take care of them until I plant them? How soon must they be planted?

A. You will receive your bare root plants from us in bundles wrapped with moist packing medium. When you receive your package, open it. Set the bundles upright in the box. Retain moist packing material around the roots. Avoid exposing the plants to sun, wind and freezing temperatures. Do not let the roots dry.

If you can’t get around to planting very soon, place the bundles upright in moist potting soil. Cover the roots with soil. Water well. Keep the roots moist until planting time. Plant sooner than later. Never let the roots dry.

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I'm in zone 8a. Should I wait till spring to plant Asiatic Jasmine?

Asiatic jasmine in 2-1/2 inch and 3-1/2 inch pots

Q. I'm in zone 8a. Should I wait till spring to plant Asiatic Jasmine?

A. Good question. Here in zone 8b, I prefer to plant in fall because roots continue to develop in winter even when above-ground parts are often dormant.

Asiatic jasmine is plenty cold-hardy in your climate zone. You needn't wait until spring to plant. The temps don't drop enough long enough to be a problem. Furthermore, once planted and irrigated deeply, newly planted plants don't require as much irrigation during our cool seasons.

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Is it too late to force narcissus for Christmas bloom?

Q. I would like to force bowls of paperwhite narcissus for Christmas gifts. If I start them now, will they bloom in time for Christmas?

A. Once placed in bowls and watered, it usually takes about 3 weeks for paperwhites to bloom. If you start them today, they might be in bloom by New Year's Day. But that doesn't mean they won't be appreciated if given as Christmas gifts. Your gift recipients will have the pleasure of watching them come into full flower.

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Is it too late to plant fall bulbs?

Q. Is it too late to plant fall bulbs?

Narcissus bulb

A. That depends on where you live. If your soil is frozen, you are too late. If your soil is not frozen, you still have time to plant fall bulbs. But you probably won't find much of a selection this late in the year. If you do find the varieties you want, they may not be in good condition. Before you purchase, press each and every bulb for firmness. Don't buy if they're not firm all over. For best selection, begin planning your fall bulb purchases in July. I realize mid-summer seems early, but some garden stores offer substantial discounts on early orders. Many varieties begin shipping as early as the end of August.

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Is it okay to plant cold-hardy perennials during freezing weather?

Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels

Q. Is it okay to plant cold-hardy perennials during freezing weather?

A. It is okay to plant some cold-hardy perennials during freezing weather. Here are some things you must consider:

• Whether the soil is workable. If your soil is frozen solid, you shouldn't try planting. If it is soft but too wet, don't try planting. You can test whether it's too wet by squeezing a fist full of dirt. If water squeezes out, it's too wet. If the soil tends to crumble, it's okay to plant.
• Whether the plants you have in mind are reliably or marginally cold-hardy for your area. If they are only marginally cold-hardy, hold off planting until the following spring when danger of frost is past. 
• Though the plant seems dormant, the roots are growing below even when the top is not. By planting early, the perennials will be more established summer arrives. If the plants are reliably cold-hardy, they may be planted during freezing weather.
• Whether the plants still have tender new growth, or have hardened off. Perennials in an active growing state are more susceptible to cold damage. Those that have entered dormancy should survive freezing temperatures.

Be sure to water your perennials after planting. Watering will help to settle the soil around the roots. Water also possesses an insulating quality.

For good measure, apply a 3 inch layer of mulch around your plants. The mulch will also help to insulate them from severe cold.

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FAQ: How soon after receiving them should my bare root plants be planted?

Gardeners who wish to economize may purchase certain plants bare root.  Bare root plants are simply those which have had the soil removed from the roots.  Usually, young plants are sold that way.  When they have grown to the point that their roots are strong enough to be planted in the landscape, they are lifted, the soil rinsed off, and shipped.  Because the plants are small, the purchase price is lower.  Shipping without soil minimizes weight and shipping costs.  So bare root plants can be a very good bargain.

However, bare root plants are more vulnerable, and should be treated with care. Growers wrap them in moist packing material (usually in bundles), bag in plastic, box and ship as soon as possible.

Sun, wind, sub-freezing or blistering temperatures can damage or kill the plants.  Upon receipt, the package should be moved very soon to a shady, temperate location, and opened.  If left un-opened for a day or two, darkness can yellow the foliage and excessive moisture can cause the plants to rot.

Upon opening the package, set the plants upright in the box and maintain slight moisture around the roots. They should be okay if re-planted within a couple of days.  If they can not be re-planted within 48 hours, they may be 'heeled-in' to protect them. To do so, find a place in the garden where the bundled plants can be stored.  Dig a hole about 4 times as large as the bundled roots, place the roots in it, cover them with 6 to 8 inches of soil. Water well.  Soil should be in close contact with the roots.  If moisture is maintained, the plants may be stored like this for several days.

If you don't have a place in the garden for your plants to be 'heeled-in', you can do the same in a nursery container.  Half-fill a nursery container of appropriate size with potting soil.  Place the bundled plants upright in the center of it.  Fill in around them with more potting soil.  Water well, making sure soil is in close contact with the roots.

Though they can be stored like this for awhile, the answer to the question is: 'Better sooner than later.'

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Planting Time & Conventional Wisdom

I visited a nearby garden center a few days ago. The plants were of excellent quality, well-maintained and attractively arranged. Most were atop black ground cover fabric. While waiting to speak to the salesperson, I overheard a conversation between him and an inquisitive buyer who was purchasing some Aztec Grass in 1-gallon nursery containers. The exchange went something like this:

Buyer: "I want to plant some of those Leyland Cypress in 15-gallon containers. When would be the best time to do it? I'm thinking it might be too hot right now."

Salesperson: "Uh. Well, it is a little too hot right now. Wait 'til the weather cools off. Then anytime until the first of May would be okay."

Buyer: "Okay. Thanks. I'll be back."

I hope the buyer will return. If he plants his Leyland Cypress anytime between October and the first of May, he'll be okay. But he could have bought and planted them that day!

The buyer's question was one that I often hear. So was the salesperson's answer. Both were relying on conventional wisdom regarding "the right time" to plant. Both needed help. I wanted to step into the conversation and ask the following:

• "Excuse me, but why is it okay to plant the Aztec Grass today, but not to plant Leyland Cypress?"
• "What is the surface temperature out there under those plants?" Since they were displayed in full sun atop black plastic, my guess is that it would have been way over 100 degrees F.
• "Do you think normal soil temperature is cooler than that material?" Answer: Yes.
• "Do you think the plants will need watering more or less frequently if planted?" Answer: If not planted, they may require water more than once per day. If planted, they may need water less than once per day.
• "So, do you think the Leyland Cypress would be better off in the ground, or on top of it?" Answer: In the ground.

But I didn't interrupt.

The fact is that anytime is a good time to plant container-grown shrubs, trees and perennials that are hardy in your area. What more is involved than preparing the site, digging some holes, watering them in their pots, lifting them from their containers, plugging them in the ground, watering some more, and adding a layer of mulch? As long as the soil isn't shaken from their roots in the process, the plants will do well. They will require maintenance whether planted or not, but less maintenance if planted.

Shrubs, trees and perennials planted in fall should not succumb to cold temperatures if planted in winter, provided that they are in good health to begin with and cold hardy in your area.  The roots are better protected in the ground.  Though the branches and foliage will not grow during cold weather, the roots will establish themselves.  As a result, they will be ready to get growing the following warm season. The same holds true for bare root plants as well as those grown in containers.

The successful gardener will often question conventional wisdom. Sometimes wisdom is conventional because it's true. But it may be bad information that has been accepted as true and passed along.

Ask questions. Consider answers. Think again.

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