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Feb 1, 2016 8:43 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Darcy
Reno, NV (Zone 6b)
I'd love some thoughts...when you plant perennials in a raised bed you put everything nice and level etc.....then over time the soil starts to break down and some things sink really far down (usually the things that don't like mulch), and others not so much (things that need mulch). Do you add dirt around the stems of the plants that sank (let's say, a rose bush or peony) or dig out the higher plants? If I remove dirt to make the roses happy, I'm left with very little material in my box, which kind of defeats the purpose. If I add dirt around the roses, I'm afraid the stems will rot.
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Feb 1, 2016 10:06 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Bob
Vernon N.J. (Zone 6b)
Aquarium Plants Bookworm Snakes Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Heucheras
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My thought would be the crown would rot if you just added dirt on almost all plants.
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Feb 11, 2016 8:19 AM CST
Name: Neal Linville
Winchester, KY (Zone 6a)
Bulbs Charter ATP Member Cottage Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises Roses
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Adding more soil or compost around the roses is fine- I plant mine deep so they can access moisture and for winter protection and I pile compost around them and over the crown, especially the grafted roses. Often the grafted plants will produce roots on the canes and essentially become an own root plant.

Peonies on the other hand shouldn't be more than 2" deep over the crown and planting too deeply can keep them from blooming. As Bob said, other perennials could experience crown rot if covered too deeply.
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
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Feb 11, 2016 10:55 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Darcy
Reno, NV (Zone 6b)
Thanks Neal!
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