Frequently Asked Questions

Yes - there are several and this is important to consider when developing your garden and home landscaping. For example, Digitalis (Foxglove), although very beautiful, is poisonous to pets, animals or children if ingested. There are many websites which list these plants - simply do a search on "Poisonous Plants" and you will be provided with a wealth of information about varieties of poisonous plants.

Slugs, aphids, whiteflies and thrips are insects common to perennials. Botrytis, powdery mildew and leaf spots are diseases that are common to perennials. Go to your local garden retailer and check the labels on chemicals to treat your specific problem. If you have children or small animals and are concerned with using chemicals or pesticides, there are some organic products available to treat various pests & diseases. Review labels carefully!

Start by planting deer resistant perennials. Look for the Deer Resistant icon on our labels. These plants are most likely to be passed over by deer. And you can try Liquid Fence, which is an all-natural product that is guaranteed to repel deer & rabbits. It is safe for humans, animals, pets, plants, & vegetation. It is available at many large retailers -for more information go to www.liquidfence.com. Also available at many large retailers, you can try Deer-Off, Deer Away, or Not Tonight Deer - these are other all natural animal repellents that work on a variety of herbivores. These products deter animals by using odor & taste barriers. Good Luck!

The answer is good old fashioned prevention and hand-weeding! Start by applying mulch or using landscape fabric, and follow it up with spot hand weeding as needed. Using herbicides can be tricky business - you must be careful using them so they do not harm children, animals or plants

Mushroom compost, homemade compost (grass clippings, leaf waste, etc.), or peat moss will help aid in drainage & provide organic matter. Also, gypsum, vermiculite or coarse sand can also be added to heavy clay soils to improve drainage. It is best to add 2-3" of soil amendments. The soil and amendments should then be cultivated to a total depth of 8-10".

Planting perennials in the fall is our suggestion. If planted by the end of September, perennials will have a chance to get well established in moderate temperatures before the cold winter months arrive. Plants planted in the fall will produce a healthy root system and reward you with a lush, colorful display the following spring. Be careful not to plant too late in the fall. Late fall plantings can cause frost heaving and possible loss of plants. Frost heaving is caused by alternate freezing & thawing temperatures which can heave or pull perennials from their planting holes in the ground. It is best to plant early in fall to avoid losing plants. Spring is also a good time to plant, however. Perennials can be planted in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. It is best to plant them in the ground as soon as possible, giving the roots a chance to become well established before the hot summer temperatures arrive. Proper watering in hot, dry weather is essential for plant health - do not allow plants to dry out!

Locate your hardiness zone by going the U.S. Department of Agriculture website, consulting this map will help you find out if a plant will survive the coldest average temperatures in your area