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Wildlife Garden

Buying wildflower plugs?

18 years ago

There is going to be a native plant sale up in one the burbs of Chicago. The majority of the plants (wildflowers and grasses) are plugs. Do you just plant the plugs? Or do I pot them up and grow them first? This is new to me, I've never bought plugs before...please help!

Terry

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Comments (6)

rsmallen
18 years ago
I think you just plug em in the ground. My designer guy (and my local native store) recommends plugs where I need like 30 of something. I am pretty sure they know I am not about to pot and transplant. So GOOD QUESTION. If somebody tells us both that you pot then transplant I will be rethinking plugs and just planting plants!!

Robin
terryr
Original Author
18 years ago
Well Robin, I guess we still don't know the answer. I sent in my order today. Can you ask your designer since we're not getting an answer?

Thanks,

Terry
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rsmallen
18 years ago
Terry, tomorrow I will ask. I have a landscape guy coming tomorrow morning and Sat morning. So I will ask both. Think I will trust the Sat guy more. These are installer guys. One is very experienced with natives...the other seems to like the idea. He works for a company wiht a website ahd home show booths. The other guy owns his own company that has no frills. The designer gave me his name. He also worked for Rodale for a long time..so I think he knows his stuff. Anyway, I will get back to you on plugs on Sat sometime!
Robin
terryr
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks Robin
rsmallen
18 years ago
Well Terry, Landscape installer #1 came today. He tells me plugs just go straight in the ground. They are simply little pieces of root material and maybe have a leaf or shoot if they are alittle older. Right into the ground they go! (and in truth, I HAVE planted them before, I just did not know they were plugs and into the ground they went!) He also tells me that Fall is a fine ok time to plant them...since I won't get to mine until Fall.
Robin
terryr
Original Author
18 years ago
Sorry Robin! I've been in the yard working since last Sat and forgot about my email reply to this. I guess they'll go straight into the ground then. Last Fri we went to a nursery that specializes in native trees, shrubs and perennials. They aren't selling the perennials yet, so I didn't think to ask him. Thank you so much for asking your guy!

Terry

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