I am VERY new to gardening and don't understand why the black-eyed susans and purple coneflowers i planed just four days ago have already wilted and died. they're in full sun, as directed, and i watered them every morning. i've never seen plants die that fast. what did i do wrong (in that short a time!)?
They got cooked. The height of summer is never the best time of year to plant perennials. Until these plants have put down a big root system, high-summer is bound to be threatening, especially to young starts. Conceivably the root isn't actually dead & will show a little growth in early autumn, then a lot of growth next spring.
-paghat the ratgirl
Yep, cooked em. Relax, the more plants you kill the more skill you amass. No education ever came cheap. Keep plugging.
They were on sale, right? That's because the nurseries need to dump plants and make room for fall stuff like mums and hordes of ornamental kale, as well as new, fresh perennials that can be planted at the right time of year: fall!
You can find some bargains now, but if they look healthy, take a good look at how the nursery kept them that way. Probably shaded somehow, and heavily watered. If you can give the plants the same treatment and KEEP THEM IN THEIR POTS until September/October, you should do OK. Otherwise, don't waste your money. Remember, too, that the nurseries have people who can walk around all day watering things. If you're gone at work all day.....finish this thought yourself.
thanks - it sounds so basic now that it's explained! i just figured a place wouldn't sell something you couldn't plant now - now i know. thanks! now i know to wait for fall.
Well....some places might advise you when you get to the cash register, but others assume everyone's experienced. Hint: 4 sturdy plant stakes and a bunch of dark colored window screen and you've got yourself a shading structure. You can buy screen by the foot at hardware stores or Home Despot.
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