And this:
And this:
They are all perennials I had planted last fall in hopes they would hold on through the winter and come back to life this spring. I knew these plants were not very wet tolerant, but how can you resist the end of year sales when you can grab these plants as cheap as a $1.99 a piece?
But as is the case year after year, my wet soil never allowed them to gain their footing and now they are very, very dead. Or maybe they heaved due to the frost/thaw cycle. Either way, they are goners.
You’d think I would have learned my lesson by now but every once in a while, a plant survives against all odds. Like this Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’:
In fact, six of these survived the wet winter (not too mention the swarms of deer) which serves as yet another reminder to stick with what works. Or I should say, stick with what your conditions allow you to grow successfully.
Speaking of deer (and you knew I was going to go there too), don’t plant a bunch of Liriope and expect those darling creatures to ignore them:
And don’t plant heucheras right in their path and expect them to say “no thanks”:
Add a redtwig dogwood to that same equation: 
I repeatedly smacked myself upside the head as I walked into my garage, trying to determine why I make the same mistakes year after year, when I came upon my most recent plant order that arrived in the mail this week. I took a quick inventory of what I had purchased:
well, deer don’t eat ornamental grasses nor boxwoods (at least at my house they don’t). They tend to eat everything else tho … 🙁
One question remains:-
Would the fall-planted perennials have rooted in the wet earth if planted last spring?
I recently dug up a witch hazel that had barely survived for the past three years. The hole left in the ground was full of water for three weeks. That’s what is was “living” in. I too live in Kingwood, the land of soggy feet. You’ve got it. Grasses. You can probably even hide (from deer) other things in them once you have enough.
Made me smile ! That never ending battle between optimism and reality ! I think it is what keeps gardeners gardening !
Like you, I never seem to learn and make the same expensive mistakes time after time. Our soil ( don’t want to rub it in !) is dark and loamy, and I could plant with my hands if I so desired ! But Lavender hates it ! What do I keep trying in different parts ? Lavender ! Only to watch it sulk and die a grisly death !
Hi John, Not that you no doubt already know..looks like the need to
further investigate plants that will tolerate JUST wet soil, from now on!
Another thing that comes to mind- Why the use of bark mulch? Seems this
would hold extra unnecessary moisture! I realize its use to keep the weeds at bay, but YAH, just a thoght!!:)