Caring for New Transplants

1. Water newly planted perennials regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy, for the first week after planting.

1. No matter how carefully you have placed your perennials in your garden, these plants have nevertheless been uprooted during transplanting. They are in a state of shock, the degree to which is determined by the handling methods, and they will need some watchful care.

2. Clip off any buds or flowers on bare-root plants; this precaution allows the plants to direct their energy into developing new roots.

2. Your new plants must get enough water or they will die. Because it is inevitable that some of the root hairs were damaged in the replanting process, the remaining ones have to work overtime until new growth occurs. This means that for a good week or more the new transplants must be gently watered and the ground kept moist but not swamped -- overwatering could drown a new plant.

3. Mulch with 1 to 2 inches of cocoa-bean hulls or other loose material. Mulch retains moisture and discourages weeds from growing.

3. Never directly fertilize a newly planted perennials. Ideally, the plant should not need fertilizer in subsequent weeks because it has been placed in enriched garden soil, where the necessary nutrients are already in place and available to the plant once the root hairs start to grow.

4. In hot weather, shade the plants with floating row covers for the first few days after planting to ease their transition into the garden.

4. If you are transplanting tall perennials, such as delphiniums, it's a good idea to stake them at the same time. Staking helps the stem of a tall plant support its flowers once they begin to bloom; done at transplanting time, staking creates a minimum of disturbance for young plants.

5. After the plants are established, topdress with compost or fertilize lightly. Mature plants also benefit from mid-season topdressing.

5. Check your transplants for signs of new foliage. This indicates that you have planted correctly and that your new perennial is surviving nicely in your garden.