Hi @exile57
Getting free plugs is always exciting, and the varieties you've received are all wonderful for creating a gorgeous display next year. Let me share some expert advice on exactly what to do with your Aquilegia 'Mrs Scott Elliot', Sweet William 'Sweet Mixed', Leucanthemum 'Crazy Daisy', and Verbena 'Buenos Aires' plugs.
Quick Summary - What to Do Now
- Timing is perfect: Autumn is ideal for establishing plug plants, as the soil retains warmth while cooler air reduces plant stress.
- Act quickly: Get plugs potted up or planted as soon as possible, except during frost or deep winter
- Check readiness: Look for roots showing at the bottom - if compost falls away, they need more growing time.
- Hardy varieties (Aquilegia, Sweet William, Leucanthemum): Can go outside now with protection
- Tender variety (Verbena): Needs frost-free conditions like an unheated greenhouse or a spare bedroom
- Water thoroughly: Before and after planting, keeping soil moist but not waterlogged
- Pot up small plugs: Use 7-9cm pots initially, then plant out when established
Why Autumn Planting Works Best
Autumn is actually the perfect time to get plug plants established, as the soil still retains warmth from summer, whilst the cooler air reduces stress on young plants. The key principle to remember is that apart from frost and the middle of winter, you should get plug plants in the ground as soon as you have them. This gives them the maximum time to develop strong root systems before next year's growing season, especially in September.
Soak your plug plants first
Your immediate priority should be to assess the size and condition of your plugs. When you receive your plug plants, open the packaging immediately and stand them upright. If your plugs seem dry, soak them for 30 minutes and then let any excess water drain away. The plugs are ready for planting once the roots start to show from the bottom, but if the compost falls away when you remove them from the trays, they require more growing time.
Specific Advice for Your Varieties
For your specific varieties, here's what each one needs. Aquilegia 'Mrs Scott Elliot' is perfectly suited to autumn planting, with natural stratification helping break seed dormancy over winter. You can plant pot-grown aquilegias out in spring or autumn, and since these are hardy perennials, they'll benefit from getting established now.
Sweet William can be planted from late spring to autumn for blooms the following year, making your autumn timing ideal. Leucanthemum 'Crazy Daisy' is best planted around mid-May once frost risk has passed, so these may need protecting over winter. The Verbena 'Buenos Aires' will also need frost protection as verbenas are generally tender.
Potting Up Small Plugs
If your plugs are small (around 3-6cm), you'll need to pot them up first rather than planting directly outside. Fill small pots or module trays with good-quality peat-free compost, gently loosen the small plugs from their tray by pushing up from the bottom with a dibber or pencil, make a hole in the compost that is slightly larger than the plug, and gently firm the soil around the plant's roots. Use 7-9cm pots initially, as using large containers for plugs means it will take them longer to grow strong roots, and the compost is more likely to become oversaturated.
Planting Garden-Ready Plugs
For larger plugs that are garden-ready (10-15cm), you can plant these directly outside now if conditions are suitable. Dig a hole around 20cm deep and place the plant inside, ensuring that the foliage is above ground level. The hardy perennials among your collection (Aquilegia, Sweet William, and Leucanthemum) should cope well with outdoor planting now, especially with some protection.
Winter Protection Options
Regarding winter protection, you have several options depending on your local climate and the specific needs of each variety. Plants in pots are more vulnerable to frost than plants in the ground, even more so if they are small, young plants. An unheated greenhouse would be ideal for the tender Verbena, whilst the hardy perennials could manage in a cold frame or even outdoors with some fleece protection during severe weather.
Watering and Ongoing Care
Water management is crucial for success. It's important that plug trays be kept well-watered and out of direct sun from the moment they're brought home up until they're planted. Thoroughly water them two to three hours before planting to make it easier to remove them from their trays and loosen their roots. Once planted, water the plugs immediately after installation to fill the soil air holes around the root systems.
The beauty of getting plug plants established in autumn is that plants have a full growing season to develop a strong root system and have time to get well established before winter sets in. Keep your pots and trays well watered, and the plugs will grow on quickly and strongly. As soon as you can see roots at the bottom, they can be planted out, often in as short a time as 2-4 weeks.
For ongoing care, keep your perennial plug plants moist by watering regularly. Smaller plants benefit from mulching in fall as freezing and thawing of the soil can heave plants out of the ground. This is particularly important for your newly planted plugs.
Why Plug Plants Are a Cost-Effective Garden Investment
Plug plants represent outstanding value for money when planning your garden displays. Here's why they're such a smart choice:
- Massive savings: Plug plants cost a fraction of fully grown plants from garden centres whilst delivering the same results
- Professional quality: These are professionally raised in controlled environments with excellent root systems and plant health
- Bulk purchasing power: You can buy large quantities affordably, perfect for filling borders and creating impact displays
- Better establishment: Often outperform plants grown from seed due to their strong root development
- Time savings: Skip the fiddly seed sowing stage but still get the satisfaction of growing plants on
- Guaranteed varieties: Access to specific cultivars and hybrids that may not be available as seeds
- Higher success rates: Professional propagation means better germination and survival rates than home sowing
- Flexible timing: Can be ordered when convenient and grown on to fit your planting schedule
- Reduced waste: Buy exactly what you need rather than packets of seeds with excess
What to Expect Next Year
Your investment in these plug plants should reward you with a spectacular display next year. With proper care, your Aquilegia will produce its distinctive spurred flowers in late spring, the Sweet William will create fragrant clusters perfect for cutting, the Leucanthemum will provide classic daisy blooms throughout the summer, and the Verbena will offer continuous colour if successfully overwintered.
Further Reading on Planting Queries
Best of luck with your plugs – you're going to have a fantastic display next year!
Lee Burkhill - Garden Ninja
Hi @exile57
Getting free plugs is always exciting, and the varieties you've received are all wonderful for creating a gorgeous display next year. Let me share some expert advice on exactly what to do with your Aquilegia 'Mrs Scott Elliot', Sweet William 'Sweet Mixed', Leucanthemum 'Crazy Daisy', and Verbena 'Buenos Aires' plugs.
Quick Summary - What to Do Now
- Timing is perfect: Autumn is ideal for establishing plug plants, as the soil retains warmth while cooler air reduces plant stress.
- Act quickly: Get plugs potted up or planted as soon as possible, except during frost or deep winter
- Check readiness: Look for roots showing at the bottom - if compost falls away, they need more growing time.
- Hardy varieties (Aquilegia, Sweet William, Leucanthemum): Can go outside now with protection
- Tender variety (Verbena): Needs frost-free conditions like an unheated greenhouse or a spare bedroom
- Water thoroughly: Before and after planting, keeping soil moist but not waterlogged
- Pot up small plugs: Use 7-9cm pots initially, then plant out when established
Why Autumn Planting Works Best
Autumn is actually the perfect time to get plug plants established, as the soil still retains warmth from summer, whilst the cooler air reduces stress on young plants. The key principle to remember is that apart from frost and the middle of winter, you should get plug plants in the ground as soon as you have them. This gives them the maximum time to develop strong root systems before next year's growing season, especially in September.
Soak your plug plants first
Your immediate priority should be to assess the size and condition of your plugs. When you receive your plug plants, open the packaging immediately and stand them upright. If your plugs seem dry, soak them for 30 minutes and then let any excess water drain away. The plugs are ready for planting once the roots start to show from the bottom, but if the compost falls away when you remove them from the trays, they require more growing time.
Specific Advice for Your Varieties
For your specific varieties, here's what each one needs. Aquilegia 'Mrs Scott Elliot' is perfectly suited to autumn planting, with natural stratification helping break seed dormancy over winter. You can plant pot-grown aquilegias out in spring or autumn, and since these are hardy perennials, they'll benefit from getting established now.
Sweet William can be planted from late spring to autumn for blooms the following year, making your autumn timing ideal. Leucanthemum 'Crazy Daisy' is best planted around mid-May once frost risk has passed, so these may need protecting over winter. The Verbena 'Buenos Aires' will also need frost protection as verbenas are generally tender.
Potting Up Small Plugs
If your plugs are small (around 3-6cm), you'll need to pot them up first rather than planting directly outside. Fill small pots or module trays with good-quality peat-free compost, gently loosen the small plugs from their tray by pushing up from the bottom with a dibber or pencil, make a hole in the compost that is slightly larger than the plug, and gently firm the soil around the plant's roots. Use 7-9cm pots initially, as using large containers for plugs means it will take them longer to grow strong roots, and the compost is more likely to become oversaturated.
Planting Garden-Ready Plugs
For larger plugs that are garden-ready (10-15cm), you can plant these directly outside now if conditions are suitable. Dig a hole around 20cm deep and place the plant inside, ensuring that the foliage is above ground level. The hardy perennials among your collection (Aquilegia, Sweet William, and Leucanthemum) should cope well with outdoor planting now, especially with some protection.
Winter Protection Options
Regarding winter protection, you have several options depending on your local climate and the specific needs of each variety. Plants in pots are more vulnerable to frost than plants in the ground, even more so if they are small, young plants. An unheated greenhouse would be ideal for the tender Verbena, whilst the hardy perennials could manage in a cold frame or even outdoors with some fleece protection during severe weather.
Watering and Ongoing Care
Water management is crucial for success. It's important that plug trays be kept well-watered and out of direct sun from the moment they're brought home up until they're planted. Thoroughly water them two to three hours before planting to make it easier to remove them from their trays and loosen their roots. Once planted, water the plugs immediately after installation to fill the soil air holes around the root systems.
The beauty of getting plug plants established in autumn is that plants have a full growing season to develop a strong root system and have time to get well established before winter sets in. Keep your pots and trays well watered, and the plugs will grow on quickly and strongly. As soon as you can see roots at the bottom, they can be planted out, often in as short a time as 2-4 weeks.
For ongoing care, keep your perennial plug plants moist by watering regularly. Smaller plants benefit from mulching in fall as freezing and thawing of the soil can heave plants out of the ground. This is particularly important for your newly planted plugs.
Why Plug Plants Are a Cost-Effective Garden Investment
Plug plants represent outstanding value for money when planning your garden displays. Here's why they're such a smart choice:
- Massive savings: Plug plants cost a fraction of fully grown plants from garden centres whilst delivering the same results
- Professional quality: These are professionally raised in controlled environments with excellent root systems and plant health
- Bulk purchasing power: You can buy large quantities affordably, perfect for filling borders and creating impact displays
- Better establishment: Often outperform plants grown from seed due to their strong root development
- Time savings: Skip the fiddly seed sowing stage but still get the satisfaction of growing plants on
- Guaranteed varieties: Access to specific cultivars and hybrids that may not be available as seeds
- Higher success rates: Professional propagation means better germination and survival rates than home sowing
- Flexible timing: Can be ordered when convenient and grown on to fit your planting schedule
- Reduced waste: Buy exactly what you need rather than packets of seeds with excess
What to Expect Next Year
Your investment in these plug plants should reward you with a spectacular display next year. With proper care, your Aquilegia will produce its distinctive spurred flowers in late spring, the Sweet William will create fragrant clusters perfect for cutting, the Leucanthemum will provide classic daisy blooms throughout the summer, and the Verbena will offer continuous colour if successfully overwintered.
Further Reading on Planting Queries
Best of luck with your plugs – you're going to have a fantastic display next year!
Lee Burkhill - Garden Ninja
Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
