Achillea Carmine, Geum Orange Queen & Salvia East Friesland

Guernsey Donkey2

My OH bought these three plants yesterday.  I am not sure where to plant them.  The label says that they are all perennial and will return next year, is that true?  Do they like damp conditions, dry, or somewhere inbetween?  They are all butterfly friendly according to the labels.

DimWit

Achillea and Salvia prefer moderately dry (or moderately moist ) soils. My geums, at least, like it a bit moister.

punkdoc

I agree with DimWit. Drier for the Achillea and Salvia.

Buttercupdays

Achilleas also prefer soil that is a bit lighter and not too rich and they don't like overcrowding. Mark them well too, as it can be tricky at this time of year to see just where they are, as they are sometimes a bit slow to start into growth.

Bright star

They also like full sun. A lovely colour combination you have there, one of my favourites. I’m growing that Geum from seed and the salvia looks good next to most other colours. 

AlliumPurpleSensation

I have a couple of varietys of Achellia which are just returning from their winter sleep.  They are in a sunny bed in the south east and seem to do well there.
Just be mindful that if they like the space they may go a bit made, my patch has doubled in size in just a year! X

Guernsey Donkey2

Thank you all for helping me to decide the best place to put these plants.  Our soil is heavy and can be quite moist, so perhaps I ought to mix in some fine gravel with the peat mix to aid drainage?  Do you cover them with fleece in the winter?  I appear to have lost a couple of plants - even in our balmy winter weather (well it did freeze twice) and don't want to lose these too.  Today I had some pond plants delivered, I have asked questions on the wildlife section - anyone with a pond may be able to advise me perhaps?

AlliumPurpleSensation

Guernsey Donkey2 said:

Thank you all for helping me to decide the best place to put these plants.  Our soil is heavy and can be quite moist, so perhaps I ought to mix in some fine gravel with the peat mix to aid drainage?  Do you cover them with fleece in the winter?  I appear to have lost a couple of plants - even in our balmy winter weather (well it did freeze twice) and don't want to lose these too.  Today I had some pond plants delivered, I have asked questions on the wildlife section - anyone with a pond may be able to advise me perhaps?

My achellia have been covered in snow this year on the south coast and have come up fine, as I said previously, a little too well.

I didn't cut mine back and just left the stems over winter as a sanctuary for any creatures that may be about, they also looked quite nice when frosted. The old stems have now been cut to the ground so the new shoots from the base can do their thing.