Native Plants
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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Friday - November 06, 2015
From: North Merrick, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Planting, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Competition between peony and bulbs
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I am planting 3 herbaceous peony bare roots 3 feet apart from each other. I am told it will take 3 years before I get blooms. In the meantime, can i safely plant springtime flowering bulbs in the 3 foot distance that I've alloted between 2 peonies? Will the bulbs significantly rob nutrients from the bareroot plants?ANSWER:
Yes, it should be fine to plant bulbs in the space between your peonies, as long as they are not under the expected peony vegetative drip line for the first year or so. If you need tips on planting your peonies,check out this article. North American native bulbs are not as popular as some exotic species, but here is a sample.
As the bulbs sprout and bloom most of their nutrients will be released from storage in the bulbs themselves. As the bulb flowers fade, give the plants, including the peonies, a balanced fertilizer.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
February 17, 2015 - This question may have more to do with chemistry than botany but I thought I would start here. My sister recently discovered that behind her Chili pequin plants, the brick was being dissolved leaving ...
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Propagation of Cahaba lily from Columbia TN
September 03, 2011 - My cahaba lilies have so many seed pods. I would like to use the seeds properly to grow more lilies. Can anyone tell me the best way to go about it? Thank you
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Source for chile pequin plants in Austin
June 11, 2013 - Where can I buy chile pequin plants in Austin?
Thank you,
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What gives the Creosote bush its characteristic smell?
August 09, 2011 - Good evening, Mr. Smarty Plants,
There is a question which I would please like to ask regarding a plant called "Creosote Bush" (Larrea tridentata)- does it actually smell like the creosote...
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When to Collect Rudbeckia triloba Seed?
September 13, 2014 - How soon after flowering may I cut Rudbeckia triloba flower heads to save seeds? Do cones need to be attached to the plant in or out of the ground to continue to mature?
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