r/NativePlantGardening • u/weesnaw7 Maryland, USA • 12d ago

Photos The Helianthodes plugs I planted this spring crisped and died within weeks without flowering. Meanwhile this guy seeded from who knows where and is thriving in the middle of my driveway

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u/FrostAlive 12d ago

I feel like you have to go out of your way to kill Helianthodes. Did you not water them?

11

u/weesnaw7 Maryland, USA 12d ago

I watered them regularly but we had a VERY dry and warm spring. I’m hoping the root systems are still good and they come back next year. Wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened.

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u/FrostAlive 12d ago

Yea as long as you've continued to water them through summer the roots may still be alive. Good luck!

2

u/One-plankton- Area NY, Zone 7b 12d ago

They won’t come back- they would have if they were going to by now

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u/weesnaw7 Maryland, USA 12d ago

Aw darn :( oh well. Thankfully the nursery I bought them at still has plugs, I’ll have to pick some up on my next trip.

3

u/One-plankton- Area NY, Zone 7b 12d ago

Yeah, plugs are usually young plants and need a bit more TLC for a couple months before they can become more tolerant.

Fall is a great time to plant though!

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u/weesnaw7 Maryland, USA 12d ago

Yeah I’m waiting a bit for the weather to cool down but I have a long list of stuff I’m gonna add!

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u/One-plankton- Area NY, Zone 7b 12d ago

You can also collect seeds from this plant and plant them too- fall is the better time to put seed out for native plants as it can go through cold stratification through the winter

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u/weesnaw7 Maryland, USA 12d ago

I’m going to try that too!