First year perennials.

Hi All,

Last weekend I purchased 10 perennials in 9 cm pots for £18. They are Heleniums, Echinaea and Gardillia, I have checked them tonight and are starting to get a bit pot bound. Should I pot them on for another month or so or just put them straight in the ground?

Rusty

 

I think I would put them into the ground, carefully labelled in a clear space, with slug protection.

 

When I buy things in 9cm pots I pot on to 1L and give them some TLC before planting out. My garden is somewhat exposed here (not surrounded by shelter-giving houses, although I do have perimeter hedges, and I don't find that things get away quickly ...)

I'd also be worried that a 9cm potted plant is about one mouthful for a slug!

But giving them TLC will bring them into flower early, and they will be "over" more quickly (that normal) too ... but if your aim is to used first year to build-up the plant (for future years' enjoyment) then that would be how I would do it