Steps to Growing Rugged Deer Resistant Perennials
General Perennial Planting Instructions
Choose a location with well-draining soils that receives full to part sun. If necessary, amend heavier soils with compost and peat moss. Water the soil mix. Dig a hole 4-6” (10-15 cm) deep and roomy enough to easily spread the roots out. Place the crown and roots, or bulbs at the depths noted on the package labels. Cover with soil pressing firmly in around the roots. Water in well after planting and continue to water on a regular basis. Remove faded blooms throughout the summer season.
In the fall, remove faded leaves, stalks and debris from last year’s growth.
Astilbe Red
Simple Steps to Growing Astilbe Red
Garden Astilbe are long-lived perennials that enjoy rich soils and light shade or filtered sun. Plant the crown level with the soil surface, roots below. Astilbe require consistently moist soil rich in organic matter. Plant the roots 2” deep and space 16” apart. Water in well after planting. Keep plants well-watered during hot spells. Grows to 24” tall.
Convallaria
Simple Steps to Growing Convallaria majalis
Lily of the Valley are tough, vigorous perennials despite a dainty appearance and charming fragrance. They grow best in humus-rich, moist soils and partial to full shade. Plant the roots 4” below the soil surface and space them 4” apart. Lily of the Valley may be slow to start, but once growing form a dense, weed-smothering groundcover. Grows to 8” tall.
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’
Simple Steps to Growing Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’
This Montbretia has brilliant flame red flowers on gracefully arching stems, attracting hummingbirds to the garden. Plant the corms 2” deep in fertile, well-draining soils in full sun, spacing them 4” apart. Water in thoroughly. A winter mulch helps protect the roots. In zones 1-4, lift corms and store indoors over the winter. Grows to 40” tall.
Dicentra Spectabilis
Simple Steps to Growing Dicentra spectabilis
Bleeding Hearts bloom in late spring and after flowering enter dormancy, preferring to be left undisturbed. Bleeding Hearts enjoy partial shade and moist, well-draining soils rich with organic matter. Plant the crown level with the soil surface and space them 12” apart. Water in well after planting. Grows to 24” tall.
Hemerocallis ‘Stella D’Oro’
Simple Steps to Growing Hemerocallis ‘Stella D’Oro’
One of the most popular daylilies! Stella D’Oro blooms in early summer and re-blooms into early fall. Daylilies can survive many harsh conditions, but perform best in well-draining soils and full sun. Plant the crown at or just below the soil surface, spacing them 24” apart. Water in well after planting. Grows to 14” tall.
Liatris Spicata
Simple Steps to Growing Liatris spicata
Blazing Star draws honeybees and butterflies to its violet-purple fluffy flowering wands. It thrives in well-draining soils in full sun, and is heat tolerant. Plant the bulbs 3-4” below the soil surface, spacing them 8-12” apart. Water in well after planting. Liatris are hardy, reliable and require little effort. Grows to 36” tall.
Rudbeckia Herbstsonne
Simple Steps to Growing Rudbeckia ‘Autumn Sun’ (Herbstsonne)
This outstanding giant coneflower forms an enormous, tall clump, ideal for the back of the border. Huge lemon yellow daisy-like flowers appear mid-summer on self-supporting stems. Rudbeckia prefers moisture retentive soils of average fertility in partial to full sun. Plant the roots 4” below the soil surface and space 18” apart. Water in well after planting. Grows to 70” tall.
Iris Sibirica Blue
Simple Steps to Growing Iris sibirica Blue
Praised for profuse elegant and delicate blooms in early summer, Sibirian Iris are easy to grow and disease resistant. They thrive in full sun and consistently moist soils. Plant the roots 4″ below the soil surface and spaced 12” apart. Water in well and keep the soil moist after planting. Grows to 28” tall.
Geranium Blue
Simple Steps to Growing Geranium Blue
Cranesbill blends nicely with other perennials and offers continuous color throughout the summer. They prefer moist, well-draining soils in partial shade to full sun. Plant the roots 2” below the soil surface, spaced 24” apart. Water in well after planting. After flowering trim back the foliage to allow a flush of new growth. Grows to 20” tall.
Peony Red
Simple Steps to Growing Paeonia Red
Peonies are long-lived and popular for their fragrant blooms and lush foliage. They are simple to grow and low maintenance. Choose a permanent full sun to partially shaded location with well-draining, evenly moist soil. Plant the roots 2″ below the soil surface and spaced 20” apart. A peony planted too deep will only produce only foliage. Water well after planting. Grows to 40” tall.
Steps to Growing Rugged Deer Resistant Perennials
General Perennial Planting Instructions
Choose a location with well-draining soils that receives full to part sun. If necessary, amend heavier soils with compost and peat moss. Water the soil mix. Dig a hole 4-6” (10-15 cm) deep and roomy enough to easily spread the roots out. Place the crown and roots, or bulbs at the depths noted on the package labels. Cover with soil pressing firmly in around the roots. Water in well after planting and continue to water on a regular basis. Remove faded blooms throughout the summer season.
In the fall, remove faded leaves, stalks and debris from last year’s growth.
Simple Steps to Growing Astilbe Red
Garden Astilbe are long-lived perennials that enjoy rich soils and light shade or filtered sun. Plant the crown level with the soil surface, roots below. Astilbe require consistently moist soil rich in organic matter. Plant the roots 2” deep and space 16” apart. Water in well after planting. Keep plants well-watered during hot spells. Grows to 24” tall.
Simple Steps to Growing Convallaria
Lily of the Valley are tough, vigorous perennials despite a dainty appearance and charming fragrance. They grow best in humus-rich, moist soils and partial to full shade. Plant the roots 4” below the soil surface and space them 4” apart. Lily of the Valley may be slow to start, but once growing form a dense, weed-smothering groundcover. Grows to 8” tall.
Simple Steps to Growing Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’
This Montbretia has brilliant flame red flowers on gracefully arching stems, attracting hummingbirds to the garden. Plant the corms 2” deep in fertile, well-draining soils in full sun, spacing them 4” apart. Water in thoroughly. A winter mulch helps protect the roots. In zones 1-4, lift corms and store indoors over the winter. Grows to 40” tall.
Simple Steps to Growing Dicentra Spectabilis
Bleeding Hearts bloom in late spring and after flowering enter dormancy, preferring to be left undisturbed. Bleeding Hearts enjoy partial shade and moist, well-draining soils rich with organic matter. Plant the crown level with the soil surface and space them 12” apart. Water in well after planting. Grows to 24” tall.
Simple Steps to Growing Hemerocallis ‘Stella D’Oro’
One of the most popular daylilies! Stella D’Oro blooms in early summer and re-blooms into early fall. Daylilies can survive many harsh conditions, but perform best in well-draining soils and full sun. Plant the crown at or just below the soil surface, spacing them 24” apart. Water in well after planting. Grows to 14” tall.
Simple Steps to Growing Liatris Spicata
Blazing Star draws honeybees and butterflies to its violet-purple fluffy flowering wands. It thrives in well-draining soils in full sun, and is heat tolerant. Plant the bulbs 3-4” below the soil surface, spacing them 8-12” apart. Water in well after planting. Liatris are hardy, reliable and require little effort. Grows to 36” tall.
Simple Steps to Growing Rudbeckia Herbstsonne
This outstanding giant coneflower forms an enormous, tall clump, ideal for the back of the border. Huge lemon yellow daisy-like flowers appear mid-summer on self-supporting stems. Rudbeckia prefers moisture retentive soils of average fertility in partial to full sun. Plant the roots 4” below the soil surface and space 18” apart. Water in well after planting. Grows to 70” tall.
Simple Steps to Growing Iris Sibirica Blue
Praised for profuse elegant and delicate blooms in early summer, Sibirian Iris are easy to grow and disease resistant. They thrive in full sun and consistently moist soils. Plant the roots 4″ below the soil surface and spaced 12” apart. Water in well and keep the soil moist after planting. Grows to 28” tall.
Simple Steps to Growing Geranium Blue
Cranesbill blends nicely with other perennials and offers continuous color throughout the summer. They prefer moist, well-draining soils in partial shade to full sun. Plant the roots 2” below the soil surface, spaced 24” apart. Water in well after planting. After flowering trim back the foliage to allow a flush of new growth. Grows to 20” tall.
Simple Steps to Growing Peony Red
Peonies are long-lived and popular for their fragrant blooms and lush foliage. They are simple to grow and low maintenance. Choose a permanent full sun to partially shaded location with well-draining, evenly moist soil. Plant the roots 2″ below the soil surface and spaced 20” apart. A peony planted too deep will only produce only foliage. Water well after planting. Grows to 40” tall.
