Dahlias and Other Flowering Bulbs A Short Primer Dahlia Dwarf mini canna Acidanthera
Dahlias
Dahlias Dahlias will work anywhere; in pots, the front, middle or back of borders Heights range from 12 inches to 8 feet This color is fabulous. Can you find another flower that will give you this color in late August through first frost? Shorter varieties bloom earlier
Dahlias Come in many incredible shapes and forms. There is a dahlia for any space!
Dahlias Thrive in full to part sun You may need to stake the taller ones
Dahlia Care Tuberous Roots Use a low nitrogen, water soluble fertilizer monthly Grow next year from eyes, like a potato Earwigs, slugs, aphids are occasional pests that are easily controlled
Dahlia Care continued Cut back Dahlia stems after first frost to about 4 inches Carefully dig up clumps Let air dry for about a day Store in cool basement or garage (about 50 degrees) Use Peat, vermiculite, shavings Check occasionally for plumpness and sprinkle with water if needed Replant in spring after danger of frost has passed
From this:
To this:
From Diminutive to Dinner Plate
Sarah s Dinner Plate Dahlias August 11, 2015 Karen s Dinner Plate Dahlias August, 2014
Dahlias at Wentworth by the Sea July 29, 2015
Use Dahlias in Mixed Borders Karen s Garden August 2014
Jazz up your Garden with pots of summer bulbs. Mix with annuals for more color. gladiola dahlias Begonia, caladium, zinnia,
Lilies True bulbs that should be found in every garden Asiatic Oriental Trumpet
Lilies Are super easy to grow! Asiatic Lilies come in a large range of colors Spice up your garden with these hot beauties Oriental Lilies have a lovely fragrance
Lily Care Height from 18 inches to 6 feet Bloom period from June to first frost, depending on type Can winter in ground with light mulch Reproduces easily from bulb scales and sometimes seeds (plants from seeds may not look like parent) Only serious pest is Scarlet Lily Beetle. Treat at soil line in early spring when lily greens first emerge. That should do it! Can handpick if you do not have many plants.
Lily Bulbs These 3 lily bulbs have reproduced. Dig them up to separate and move in your garden if you want more. Replant 6 inches deep, 8 to 18 inches apart.
Gladiolus Provide a rainbow of Summer and Autumn Color
Gladiolus Care Easy to Grow Corms Plant 6-7 inches deep, point side up. The corm you plant is used up but makes new ones for next year. To save for next year, cut stems after first frost to 2 inches. Dig up, wash off, and dry for a few days. Store in peat in paper bags. Many gardeners just treat as an annual and buy new every year. Usually problem free but occasionally corms attacked by a virus that causes leaves to yellow and wither; also, rarely, thrips can be a problem.
Gladiola corms
Cannas Rhizomes that give rise to dramatic tropical leaves and flowers Prefers full sun, and moist, or even bog- like conditions Use high phosphate fertilizer monthly Often grown in containers in urban landscapes Plant horizontally with eyes facing up after last frost
Overwintering Cannas After first frost, cut back to 2-4 inches Carefully dig and lift rhizomous clump Break clumps apart to plant next spring Air dry for a few days Store in peat, shavings or vermiculite in bags or in soil in pots (little or no water, out of light) in cool basement or garage Check occasionally to see if clumps need a sprinkling of water
Other Summer Bulbs Worthy of Your Time These bulbs increase your color palette, add texture and visual interest, add focal points to your garden Callas Hardy Cyclamen Florists Cyclamen (pictured) Eremurus (Desert Candle) Begonias Anemones Acidanthera
Callas Perfect for partial shade
Storing Calla Lilies Cut stems back to 2-3 inches Dig Rhizome up Allow to air dry for 2 to 3 days Place in a paper bag or box (good to label) Cover with peat, vermiculite, or shavings Check occasionally to check for withering or shrinking and spritz with water if necessary. Replant in pots or ground after it has warmed Can store in container indoors
Hardy Cyclamen Come back year after year. Grow in protected area in our zone.
Eremurus or Desert Candle aka Foxtail Lily Lots of colors and striking vertical appeal
Anemones Try growing these corms in pots in light shade
Summer Flowering Anemones The Anemones that are produced from corms are normally spring and summer flowering types (compared to the Japanese Anemones which flower well into the autumn and are considered a true perennial) Summer Anemones, such as the colorful Anemone coronaria 'De Caen' and 'St Brigid' group, will grow in most any soil conditions - and are specially suited to containers. Plant in the early spring, for flowers in early summer. Excellent success in pots start indoors
Begonias These tubers produce flowers in an enormous variety of colors and sizes, and many prefer shade. Great for pots.
Growing Tuberous Begonias: Start Indoors
Acidanthera Plant in pots with annuals for vertical interest Propagates easily Overwinters easily Fragrant in evening Can leave right in pot if pot is brought inside. Just cut back foliage and do not water. Height about 24-30 Aka: Sword Lily
and one more easy to grow summer flowering bulb: Ranunculus June 19, 2015, Grown in shade
December 15, 2015
Hurry Up SPRING!!!