starting a perennial garden at the end of august

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THEUncleBob Evergreen Park, IL Aug 27, 2009

Help! I have a friend who is insistent on starting a garden of perennials right now (end of august)

I agreed, since she is is sweetie, BUT, can this be done? I am guessing I have at least 5-7 weeks before a hard frost occurs here.

So, 10 bags of mushroom mulch later, I cut the heart shape out of her lawn and began improving the soil.

As I sweated I thought: "well, I could always cut the greenery back after the pants are a month or so, in the ground, this might allow the roots to take before winter", but I'm not sure if that's the right way to go?

Plants will be: Coral Bells, Hibiscus, Hydrangea, some ornamental grasses, Bee balm, and a few other other Butterfly/Hummingbird attracting perennials.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I need get going on this ASAP.

thanks a bunch.

Bob

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bookreader451 Troy, NY(Zone 5b) Aug 27, 2009

I planted both coral bells and hydrangea last fall (September) and they overwintered and grew nicely this year.

This is a good time to search for sales and get perennials into the ground.

I am hitting my favorite nursery for their clearance sale Saturday and see what I can come home with.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Aug 27, 2009

Just remember to mulch the bed heavily to protect the roots from freezing, and water regularly to help them get established.

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