To get started:
- Sow perennials that do not need stratification 8 to 10 weeks before your average first fall frost. This allows time for the seed to germinate, and plants to establish a root system large enough to survive the winter.
- Sow perennials that need stratification after a hard, killing fall frost. This ensures that they will not sprout until the following spring.
- Mark the spot. Label the area of sown seeds with garden stakes.
- In a dry winter be sure to water late summer and fall-sown perennial seeds and seedlings just as you do your trees.
Two new perennial new varieties we carry from Botanical Interests:
Indian Summer Rudbeckia Perennial. These radiant, yellow, single and semi-double flowers with dark chocolate centers hold their heads up high without the need for staking. You'll enjoy their glorious beauty as they seduce butterflies with promises of nectar, and provide seeds for birds in winter. A long-lasting cut flower with a long bloom period. Perennial in USDA zones 4 to 9, but usually treated as an annual |
Provence Blue Lavender Perennial. Provence Blue lavender has lovely deep blue spikes atop silver foliage. It is an improved "true lavender" type like those grown in southern France. Grow it in borders, rock gardens, large containers, or where you'll most enjoy its intense fragrance as it blooms. Harvest its flowers for dried arrangements and crafts to enjoy throughout the year. Easy to grow, drought tolerant, and attractive to bees and butterflies. Perennial in USDA zones 5-8. |