I can't say that I'm familiar with the issue of curling stems on columbine. I know aphids cause leaf curl of the flowers like that but you are probably aware and check for those.

Mary Stella, do you have any pictures of your problem plants?

There is a columbine aphid which, I think, can make the plant look weird and twisted by it's honeydew which makes the leaves and stems stick together. If you have pictures, Janet (JRsBugs) is the one who could probably help you identify and confirm it.

Have you tried spraying with soapy water? It might help.

I gave up on many of my columbines, too. When they're pretty, they're beautiful. But if the bugs come- (sawflies and leaf miners and aphids, Oh My!)- they can be an eyesore. I gave mine to my neighbor and they're growing beautifully in his yard. But he uses chemicals and pesticides while my yard is organic.

Karen

I planted some huge astilbe roots last fall and am looking forward to them flowering this year.

The directions said to cover the top of the roots with about an inch of soil, but some creature (squirrels? voles? cats?) LOVES to dig around that bed. The soil has been uncovered and no matter how much I recover them, the tops are exposed again the next day.

Is this going to cause harm to the plants? Should I bury them with several inches of soil and put some chicken wire type of covering to discourage digging, or is it better to let the tops expose a little bit?

Astilbes form tough root systems once established. I cover mine with about an 1-2 inches of soil. I think you would be wise to use something like the chicken wire until they are established. I also use ground cinnamon, garlic powder, and chili pepper to discourage some of those types of critter pests.

I also do Astilbes about 2 inches. The chicken wire should work , but remember to pull it up in the fall when you cut your plants back don't want to cut yourself with rusty wire the next spring.

Or get some of the galvanized or plastic-coated wire. Good stuff.

Tee, I haven't had any luck with chili, garlic, cinnamon, and coffee grounds. They might stay away for one day, but they're back again the next. I even got a huge bag of chili powder from amazon so I could keep reapplying, but it got too expensive. I guess I have no choice but to use chicken wire. I hope I'm not too late and that there wasn't irreparable damage.

Yah, it depends on what the critter is whether those things are more effective or not. At least you tried. Go for the wire. Do what you need to do.

You could also try some moth balls most animals do not like them. DO NOT use if a pet dog or cat can get to them.

I have a question about transplanting perennials.

I have some garden phlox, creeping phlox, sweet woodruff, big root geranium, and autumn joy sedum that never got planted in the fall. They're in pots right now and already starting to show signs of spring growth.

When is the earliest I can plant them in the ground? The ground is not frozen -- never really froze with this warm winter we're having.

Oh, I have one more question! What's the earliest I can transplant daylilies?

The daylily pics I see online seem so dense. I planted mine about 18 inches apart and they look so bare. Can I plant them closer?

If the pots were outside in a non protected area and they are already growing I would guess you could plant them now. Seems early though around here the earliest is around late April. When does planting normally start by you, here it is Mothers Day week.

How long ago did you plant the daylilies , have they had time to spread. If you plant them to close you will end up having to move them apart in a year or so. I would think the closest would be 12 inches apart.

Creeping phlox can go in the ground now if your ground isn't frozen, ss. So can the sedum. Those can definitely be planted closer than 18 inches apart, if you want, but both will fill in fairly quickly once they establish, especially the creeping phlox. Or wait until after last frost date to just pull or cut some pieces of those two and stick them in the ground. They are usually easy rooters. Creeping phlox especially is very easy to root. Most of the sedums are as well. I believe the Sweet Woodruff would do likewise although I've never done it like that.

I have a lot of those plants except for the geraniums which I'm just now getting established. I have a feeling it would be okay to plant early as well.

This was taken in March (second year). We're the same zone.

Bob, the pots were left completely unprotected and are already growing nicely. My mid/late tulips have sprouted already! I can't get over this mild winter.

Tee, the daylilies were planted last spring. I guess I need to wait for them to fill in. I have an unknown critter that likes to dig near the roots, so I suspect its growth has been stunted somewhat.

Your phlox looks gorgeous! I'm excited to get my phlox in the ground.

Since they've been totally unprotected all winter, I think you could plant any time. They're already hardened off. Then when new spring growth occurs, they're already in place and ready to sink their feet in and get to work.

Karen

Here's an even better picture, ss. Same area about three weeks later. I absolutely love creeping phlox. :hearts:

Don't wait too long!

ssgardener said:..... the pots were left completely unprotected and are already growing nicely.

This information helps a great deal.

I agree with Karen. I think you'd be well off if you planted them now.

Yes, I think we're all pretty much in agreement on that, ss. Although the creeping phlox and sedums will sit for a long time in a pot and be just fine if you can't plant them now.

Tee the creeping Phlox are really nice I have never tried them . How long do they flower?

Thanks, Bob. They are one of the first things to bloom here in the early Spring beginning in March although this year I expect them any time now. They will bloom March through the remainder of the Spring and then off and on with a smaller repeat bloom from time to time. I had a few blooms all through this winter since it has been so warm.