Flower Bulbs – NANCY WITH THE LAUGHING FACE

October 20, 2024

The Slow and Steady Approach to Fall Garden Grooming

When it comes to seasonal garden chores, the term ‘annual fall clean-up’ makes me think of lugging a huge vacuum out into the yard and gobbling up every last bit of dead vegetation! That’s why I prefer ‘fall garden grooming’ which speaks of a slower and gentler pace that allows this gardener to fully enjoy each month of the season while still taking care of business.

Perennials ready for dividing and replanting

In Northeastern Massachusetts, fall garden grooming begins in September – the month of adding, dividing and transplanting perennials. Even though many gardeners plant well into the colder months, I prefer to give my plants a good head start on next year’s growing season and that means getting them in the ground by the end of the month, the idea being that early planting ensures good root growth before the ground freezes. While I’m at it, I’ll also add some homemade compost to any planting holes to give those perennials a boost of beneficial nutrients that will carry them well into next spring.

Fall-planted early spring bulbs poking through the soil

October is the month of bulb planting and garlic is a fall-planted bulb that I usually tackle late in the month, once it turns cold enough to keep them from sprouting. And who can resist adding more flower bulbs? How pleasant it is to spend a golden fall day imagining all the beautiful daffodils and alliums I’ll enjoy next spring! If you’re new to gardening and interested in planting flower bulbs this fall, check out my previous blogs: The Wonderful World of Bulbs and Extending the Beauty of Spring Bulb Season.

While planting bulbs, I take the opportunity to cut back faded perennials and remove any weeds or diseased foliage that I don’t want to winter over. Working in one area at a time, I tidy up each garden’s appearance, often making a second pass later in the season.

The seed heads of perennial grasses look beautiful well into winter

By late November most of my perennials have died back to the ground and the gardens are stripped to their bare bones. Although I’ve cut back many plants by this time, I still leave some showy seed heads for the birds and winter interest. On mild November days, I concentrate on adding compost to my flower beds to feed and protect them over the winter months. A true labor of love, this process can take several weeks, but I’ve found that nothing is better for your soil and plants than an annual layer of compost!

The grand finale of my fall garden grooming is a blanket of shredded leaves and grass clippings generously applied to all flower beds, small trees and shrubs.

Birdbaths and other garden structures add winter interest to our gardens

Early December is a great time to decorate any outdoor containers. I like to add different evergreens from the gardens and surrounding woods to fill out a large planter on the front porch. A bright holiday bow is usually all that’s needed as a final touch! I admit it’s a minimalist approach to outdoor decorating; however, with so many gardens in my yard, there’s always something to catch the eye and celebrate the season whether a small evergreen, dried hydrangea blooms, red berries, or a birdbath.

Dried ‘Little Lime’ Hydrangea blooms provide color well into December

By Christmas, the gardens are contentedly lying under their blanket of compost and leaves and my fall garden grooming is done for the season! And, magically, there’s always a stillness that comes over the gardens, just before winter sets in, as if the earth is holding her breath in anticipation of the snows soon to come, marking the end of yet another gardening year.

All photos by Nancy Marie Allen or courtesy of Pixabay

April 15, 2024April 16, 2024

Extending the Beauty of Spring Bulb Season

Flower bulbs push the gardening year right up to the edge of winter and there’s nothing more uplifting than the first garden blooms! For me, one of the greatest joys of gardening is seeing those first spring bulbs breaking through the earth as if by magic.

If you enjoy an early spring bulb garden, you’ve probably thought how wonderful it would be to keep those beautiful blooms going from early spring to summer. Fortunately, with the extensive variety of flower bulbs available today, you can easily achieve a long spring season by planting early, middle, and late-blooming bulbs.

Anemones tucked at the feet of perennial Lady’s Mantle

While spring bulbs are in their glory, take a few minutes to evaluate your own garden and perhaps visit others for some flowery inspiration, then plan on ordering your bulbs early before they sell out. As you browse catalogs or websites, try to visualize what you’d like to see in your garden and choose a color palette that appeals to you. Next, pick your favorite early spring bloomers and extend their season’s beauty by using the early, middle, and late-flowering variety plan.

Later-blooming Daffodils with Anemone and Heuchera

For example, Daffodil bulbs can bloom as early as late February here in Northeast Massachusetts and bright yellow Rijnveld’s Early Sensation is one of the earliest. Snowdrops and crocus are also very early bloomers and would make good companions. Ice Follies, a classic early to mid-season bloomer, looks stunning with the smaller bulbs of Early Snow Glories (Chionodoxa forbesii), Hyacinth, and Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica). Thalia, a pristine white beauty, blooms next along with Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) and old-fashioned Bleeding Heart while late-season Pheasant’s Eye looks lovely with the stately globe alliums as well as early spring perennials.

Thalia with old-fashioned Bleeding Heart and Vinca

You can try this method with many spring bulbs including Tulips, Alliums, Hyacinths, Daffodils, and of course the earliest bloomers such as Snowdrops and Crocus. Something to keep in mind is that smaller flower bulbs make great supporting stars for their larger spring cousins!

Alliums make a bold exclamation point in the late spring garden

Seek inspiration and plan your bulb garden now, purchase and reserve bulbs early to get the best varieties, and plant this fall for a colorful and long-blooming display next spring!

June 29, 2019January 21, 2020

Planning Ahead with Flower Bulbs

I can’t imagine a garden without the early spring blooms of bulbs such as crocus, snowdrops, hyacinth, daffodils, tulips and more! In late spring, the alliums and ornithogalum shine next to my early perennials. All during the spring months, as I watch each different bulb type emerge and bloom in succession, I visualize ways in which to add more beautiful bulbs to my gardens.

Alliums Stratos and Christophii with Ornithogalum in my June garden (photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

LET IT BE

It’s late June and all that remains of my beautiful spring bulb display is yellowing, tattered foliage. As difficult as it is to leave this withered mess untouched, bulbs need the energy stored in their foliage to produce blooms for next spring. Never cut, tie or braid bulb foliage but allow the plants to complete their growth cycle as undisturbed as possible. Be patient for in a few short weeks the unsightly dying foliage will have completely disappeared. Many bulbs self-sow so you’ll also want to leave those seed pods to work their magic in your garden next year. If your bulbs are interplanted with perennials, these large plants generally do a great job at hiding the mess leftover from your spring bulb party as they quickly reach their mature summertime size. Any remaining vacant spots can be filled in with some cheerful annuals.

Daffodils and Grecian Windflowers in May (photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

PLAN AHEAD

While you can still see where your bulbs grow, it’s a good time to think about what you want your garden to look like next spring. Would you like to plant more of a certain bulb variety or try something new? Do you have a color scheme in mind? Take a walk around the garden with a notebook and write down where you’d like to add more bulbs and what types. It’s also great to take pictures so you’ll have a visual aid when fall planting season comes along. If you could use more height and drama in your spring display, try some tall alliums. If you’d like to cover a lot of ground, early bulbs like snow glories (chionodoxa) or scilla will quickly spread themselves around for an abundance of early blooms. And don’t forget summer bulbs, like Oriental lilies, which make a stunning late-season addition to any garden!

Chionodoxa brighten the garden in April (photo courtesy of Preen.com)

MARK THE SPOT

Here’s an easy tip for helping with new bulb placement near existing plantings when you want to add more of a good thing. This year, for instance, I’ll be adding more allium christophii in a garden where some have already been planted. When the foliage is almost gone on my current plants, I’ll “mark” the spot with a rock. In the fall when my new bulbs arrive, it will be easy for me to find where the alliums are already planted and, by doing this, I can avoid disturbing the older bulbs while adding the new bulbs around them. By the way, the giant seed heads of allium christophii can remain in the garden for weeks after blooming, thus extending their season even longer.

Allium Christophii (photo courtesy of Ashridge Trees)

PLANT OUT OF SEASON

Although fall is prime time for bulb planting, there are circumstances when we may have to plant bulbs out of season. When we’re left with large clumps of daffodils or hyacinth which have stopped blooming because they’ve become overcrowded, it’s time to dig them up and separate the bulbs into smaller plantings. Also, after several seasons, some bulbs may spread too far beneath surrounding perennials where they can’t get enough sunlight; these stragglers should be moved for optimum blooms next spring.

Whatever the reason, there will come a time when you need to dig up and move bulbs. However, if you wait until fall to perform this task, it will be hard to find your bulbs which by then will be well hidden beneath the earth and covered by other plants. In this case, to avoid digging blind come October, wait until the foliage has almost completely died back in early summer and then carefully dig around the clump of bulbs. Lift them up, separate them into smaller groups and relocate the bulbs to other areas where they can spread out to bloom again. Put a little bulb food in the new hole and water after planting to help them settle in. The remaining foliage will disappear almost overnight so mark the spot or take a photo if you need to remember where you’ve already planted.

Allium Nigrum with Foxglove (photo courtesy of Swan Cottage Flowers)

SHOP EARLY

It’s hard to think of fall planting when summer has only just begun, but in the gardening world we have to plan ahead and that means shopping early for our spring bulbs. There are so many wonderful bulb websites and catalogs to browse through, it’s easy to create the perfect spring bulb garden for next year. Order now for fall planting so you’ll be sure to get the varieties you want before they’re sold out. It’s always a pleasant surprise to get a box of bulbs in the mail come fall!

Snowdrops provide early food for honey bees (photo courtesy of Garden with Diana)

For more on planning a spring bulb garden, click on this informative link:

https://www.longfield-gardens.com/article/How-To-Plan-A-Spring-Bulb-Garden

DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links to the companies listed below. When you click through on a link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank You!

Plants & Bulbs - Shop Now - BloomingBulb

April 16, 2019January 26, 2020

Astounding Alliums

Alliums are a diverse group of flowering onions which are care-free and resistant to rodents, rabbits, and deer. They thrive in full sun but will tolerate a bit of shade. Valued by gardeners for adding stately drama to the garden, they are also beloved by pollinators. If that isn’t enough to excite you, alliums are wonderful in cut flower arrangements and the dried seed heads remain accents in the garden long after the blooms fade. They’ve been grown in cottage gardens dating back to the 16th century and many heirloom varieties are still available today.

Alliums (Eden Brothers) — Tall Globe Alliums (Photo courtesy Eden Brothers)

Most of us are familiar with the tall globe alliums, those large purple flower balls so popular in spring landscape plantings. These somewhat alien-looking spheres grow from bulbs planted in the fall. Foliage emerges in early spring and then dies back as the giant flowers appear like reverse punctuation marks amongst late tulips and spring perennials. Combined with white Ornithogalum Magnum and Lady’s Mantle, the effect is magical. When planting, be sure to tuck allium bulbs behind perennials that will hide the dying foliage. Tall globe alliums come in different shades of purple as well as white and grow 36 to 48″ tall in hardiness zones 5 to 8.

Allium Garden — Alliums with Lady’s Mantle and Ornithogalum Magnum (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Allium Christophii, also known as Star of Persia, tops my list as the star of my bulb garden. In early June, the 8 to 10-inch silvery-violet blooms absolutely sparkle in the garden! Although not as tall as the more well-known globe alliums, the huge blooms have the appearance of flower fireworks, immediately drawing one’s attention. The color and form blend perfectly with roses and peonies, but the most wonderful thing about Allium Christophii is that the giant flower heads dry perfectly right on the stem and last for weeks after blooming, thus extending the show into summer. Allium Christophii is a robust plant that grows 18 to 24″ tall and is suited for hardiness zones 4 to 8.

Allium Christophii (Ashridge Trees) — Allium Christophii sparkles in the border (Photo courtesy Ashridge Trees)

Allium Christophii combines well with roses (Photo courtesy Scott Aboretum)

Allium Christophii Close-Up (Photo courtesy Harts Nursery)

Looking for an allium that blooms late season? The common garlic chive is usually found in the herb garden since you can use the mild-tasting garlicky leaves and flowers in cooking. When added to the perennial border, however, the long-lasting soft white blooms add late summer into fall interest along with asters, sedum, purple coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans. Be prepared for a lot of buzz as these little flowers will attract a variety of bees and butterflies to your garden! The seed heads also remain visually interesting well into fall but you’ll want to remove these at the end of the season or the plants can aggressively self-sow. Garlic chives are about 20″ tall and are easy to grow in hardiness zones 3 to 10.

garlic chives (Kraut Source) — Late-blooming Garlic Chives (Photo courtesy Kraut Source)

I hope I’ve encouraged you to try alliums in your garden. There are many to choose from and, once you’ve planted the bulbs, you’ll enjoy the stunning flowers for years to come as they slowly multiply and enhance the beauty of your garden!

Allium Christophii combines well with roses (Scott Aboretum) — Allium Christophii with Roses (Photo courtesy Scott Arboretum)

March 29, 2019January 26, 2020

Early Spring Power Perennials

We all have favorite early spring bloomers and, today, I’ll talk about some of mine – three stellar plants that are beautiful, hardy and low maintenance – my criteria for qualifying as “power” perennials!

For most of us right now it’s all about the early blooms of bulbs, but soon enough our sleeping perennials will emerge in a big way. Combining perennials with bulbs is not only beautiful but a great way to keep the garden looking tidy as the growing plants will hide the dying foliage of the bulbs that have come and gone. The earliest perennials will even share the stage with our blooming bulbs and enhance their beauty.

bleeding heart kelly-sikkema-660081-unsplash — Old-fashioned Bleeding Heart (Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash)

One example of such a plant is the classic, old-fashioned Bleeding Heart, so named for the multiple pink heart-shaped blooms that are carried on its graceful arching stems. When planted in compost-rich soil in an area with plenty of morning sun, these plants can grow 2 to 3 feet in height and width. With their large size, they make an impressive statement all on their own but combined with daffodils, tulips, or bluebells, the effect is enchanting! I love the combination of white “Thalia” daffodils with pink Bleeding Heart and a sprinkling of bluebells. The plants will remain robust for many weeks after the early bulbs have bloomed but, in the heat of summer, Bleeding Heart dies back to the ground where it will sleep until the following spring. Because of this, I find it best to plant another perennial nearby that will fill the leftover gap. Hostas, which enjoy similar growing conditions but are slower to emerge in spring, make the perfect summer companions. You can grow Bleeding Heart in US Zones 3 to 9 and they’re deer and rabbit resistant.

Heuchera Black Taffeta Wayside Gardens — Heuchera “Black Taffeta” shines next to bright greens (Photo courtesy Wayside Gardens)

The second early power perennial on my list is the Heuchera, also known as Coral Bells. Growing in popularity every year, these tough little plants come in color variations too numerous to mention, from the deepest purple to the brightest yellow-green! They sport tiny flowers on dainty spikes throughout the summer months but it’s the color of the foliage that makes these plants shine in pots and borders. In my Zone 6 garden, heucheras remain evergreen and are one of the first perennials to spring back every year! On the smaller side at 12 to 18 inches in height and width, heucheras look stunning grouped together at the feet of larger perennials, especially with a contrasting or complementary color. I use heuchera “Lime Rickey” nestled around cimicifuga “Hillside Black Beauty” to make both colors pop. They prefer afternoon shade but can take more sun if kept evenly moist. Heucheras grow best in US Zones 4 to 8 and are deer and rabbit resistant.

Candytuft ToGoGarden iberis-sempervirens-snowcone — Candytuft Close-Up (Photo courtesy ToGoGarden)

Looking for some eye candy? Candytuft or Iberis is another old-fashioned plant that remains evergreen in my garden and blooms for weeks with masses of pure white flowers. Native to the Mediterranean, these low-growing plants prefer rocky, well-drained soil and are perfect for use in rock gardens along with creeping phlox, rock cress, “Basket of Gold” alyssum and colorful spring bulbs. They grow anywhere from 6 to 10 inches tall and spread 12 to 30 inches depending upon the cultivar. After blooming, I like to remove the spent flowers and enjoy the dark green foliage through the rest of the season. Candytuft prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade, especially in hot areas. Drought-tolerant once established and also deer resistant, they can be grown in US Zones 3 to 9.

nature flowers plant spring — Cheerful Pansy Faces (Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com)

April to mid-May is the perfect time of year to visit local nurseries where only the hardiest plants have been moved outside, all ready for gardens and pots. This is a great way to find early blooming perennials to fill out your spring garden including the fine plants mentioned above. And don’t forget to add some cheerful pansies and violas while you’re at it!

Potted Perennials in Spring — Sweet Alyssum, Heuchera, and Violas in Early Spring Pots (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

March 25, 2019January 26, 2020

The Power of Fragrance

With the advent of spring, I’ve been treated to many beautiful flower photos on social media while, in my own garden, the earliest bulbs are just beginning to waken from their winter’s rest. Over the next couple of weeks, the garden will come alive with tiny blooms while their sweet fragrance will once again fill the air.

flowers plant spring macro — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The first emerging spring flowers such as Snowdrops, Chionodoxa, Puschkinia, and Crocus may be small in appearance but they can be big on fragrance. Since you would have to be at ground level to catch their delicate scents, many people miss them altogether. To capture this fleeting essence of early spring, I like to cut some of these little gems and place them in vases inside where their soft colors and subtle fragrances can be enjoyed close-up.

selective focus photography of yellow flowers — Photo by David Jakab on Pexels.com

As I take it all in, I know it’s just the beginning of many weeks of delightful garden scents as Daffodils, Hyacinth, Tulips, Lily of the Valley and Alliums make their debut! Soon, the fragrances of blooming shrubs and perennials will envelop us. One only has to take a walk on a warm spring day to fall under this intoxicating aromatic spell; all around, fragrance permeates the air!

relax old rest book — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

There are many scents that I enjoy this time of year, but if I could pick just one flower that speaks to me most powerfully, it would be the Lilac. Here in New England, it’s hard to find a yard that doesn’t include at least one lilac shrub. Many people have several different colors and some properties even boast lilac hedges. It’s a perennial favorite and for good reason – there is simply nothing else like the fragrance of lilacs!

white lilac veri-ivanova-17534-unsplash — White Lilac (Photo courtesy Veri Ivanova – Unsplash)

More than any other flower, lilacs hold the magical power to transport me to another time and place. The scent carries sweet associations of my childhood as I envision the white and purple blooms by the back porch, my mother filling a vase for the house or my little self carrying a small bouquet to school. It’s the fragrance of many cherished memories!

close up photography of pink roses under sunny sky — Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

The romantic scent of Roses also has a powerful effect on me, carrying me back to a gentler time when ladies wore long flowing dresses and carried parasols to protect their fair skin from the sun. My mind conjures up images of Downton Abbey, the grand entrance filled with huge oriental vases, all overflowing with fragrant English roses. Thanks in part to the efforts of breeder David Austin, the romance of rose growing has resurged in recent years and it’s easy to find roses of many colors everywhere you buy plants. Once you’ve added fragrant roses to your garden, you will never again want to be without them!

girl sitting on grass smelling white petaled flower — Photo by Tetyana Kovyrina on Pexels.com

The next time you pass a beautiful bloom, go ahead and give it a deep sniff. Take the time to stop and smell the flowers! It may surprise you to find out that many plants we don’t typically think of as fragrant carry their own sweet scents such as Pansies, Violas, Iris, Astilbes, Daylilies, and even some Hostas. This year, try incorporating some fragrant flowers into your gardens or outdoor pots and experience what the power of fragrance can do for you!

March 3, 2019January 26, 2020

The Promise of Spring

Spring is the season of promise! There’s something in the air, redolent of fresh growth as early flower bulbs cautiously poke through warming soil and buds swell with new life on shrubs and trees. There’s something in the increasing strength of sunlight and, yes, even in our outlook as March makes herself known. There’s something that tells us it cannot be long now!

red flower bouquet on brown leather boots during snow weather — Photo by Alena Koval on Pexels.com

It’s the promise of spring that beckons us outdoors in spite of the cold. We can sense life quickening just under the snow, waiting for the right conditions of warmth and sunlight to make its appearance once again. Soon the birds will break into vigorous song, the world will blossom with rebirth, and our hearts will be uplifted! But right now, at least here in New England, the promise of spring is really all we have to hold onto for we are still firmly held in winter’s grip.

personal organizer and pink flowers on desk — Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

The calendar tells us one thing, but it’s always a long and tiresome wait for spring to finally make her grand entrance. We watch daily for signs that things are progressing as they should but somehow the change never comes fast enough. Spring takes her time, ever a cautious driver who feels safest in the slow lane!

adorable animal bloom blossom — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I understand why so many people take trips this time of year. Not only does getting away from the cold rejuvenate us but, while we are away, we imagine spring already coming around and getting ready to greet us on our return home. Although that usually doesn’t happen and we descend from the plane back into the wintry world we left just a few days before, we remain hopeful that warm and sunny weather will soon follow.

yellow tulip flower during daytime — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

And so I leave you, dear reader, while I take my own get-away trip this week to Florida. The warmth of the sun will heal my winter-weary soul and all that lush tropical greenery will inspire me with its beauty. When I return, I’ll resume my patient wait for all of the pleasures that make up spring in my neck of the woods. It cannot be long now!

November 16, 2018November 19, 2018

Amazing Amaryllis

Prized for their large, multicolored winter blooms, Amaryllis plants are also one of the easiest to grow. In fact, you can grow Amaryllis in just water, but I like to keep them potted up to bloom yet another year. In an earlier blog, Holiday Decorating With Winter Blooms, I included a brief description of Amaryllis which I’ll expand upon today in hopes of inspiring more of you to take these amazing plants for a test drive. They are really the perfect “beginners” bulb and this is the perfect time of year to plant them!

“Apple Blossom” Amaryllis (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

There are many different types of Amaryllis available for growing indoors. The earliest variety is the South African Amaryllis or Christmas Amaryllis which blooms anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks after potting up. This means that if you plant your bulb sometime in November, you should have flowers for Christmas and New Year’s. For this reason, they make ideal holiday gifts! South African Amaryllis have different sized flowers and heights and fall into three groups: Sonata, Sonatini, and Symphony.

A Single Amaryllis Bulb creates a Living Bouquet (Photo courtesy of Harry & David)

Dutch Amaryllis usually bloom in 8 to 12 weeks after potting up and there are single as well as double varieties; there are also mini and giant Amaryllis. These vigorous plants grow so quickly that you can almost sit back and watch it happen! By choosing a variety of different types, or by planting fresh bulbs every couple of weeks, you can stagger blooms for a continuous show from winter into spring.

Growth Stages of Amaryllis (Photo courtesy Jackson and Perkins)

I like the fact that individual Amaryllis take up little tabletop space; they’re easily tucked into holiday decorations and grouped with other flowering plants. By placing three or more pots into a larger decorative container and covering with moss, you can create quite a dramatic effect for larger spaces. Some varieties grow up to 18″ tall so you may need to place stakes in the pots for support (as shown in the photo below). Shorter varieties do well on their own. Large or small, Amaryllis create quite a show when grouped together!

Amaryllis Varieties (photo courtesy of Gardener’s Supply)

The flowers of Amaryllis, or Hippeastrum as they are known in the horticultural world, can be as large as dinner plates and usually come three or four to a single stem. The many vivid colors are iridescent and because of their shimmering quality, the blooms blend particularly well with sparkling holiday lights and decor. They also range in style from demure to brazen, so there’s truly an Amaryllis for everyone’s taste!

Cut Amaryllis Stems in Holiday Display (Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens)

Unless you purchase a plant that’s already growing, you will start your journey with an Amaryllis bulb such as the ones shown below. The better the bulb, the better the bloom, so it’s wise to purchase healthy plump bulbs from a reputable garden site that features Amaryllis. I highly recommend the John Scheepers, Beauty from Bulbs, website. Use a quality potting mix as well, one that is light and fluffy in texture. Pot them up with roughly the top third of the bulb remaining above the surface; this will keep the bulb from getting waterlogged. The pot should be only about an inch larger in circumference than the bulb since Amaryllis like to feel snug in their beds. Placing pebbles or moss on the soil surface finishes the look with a decorative touch.

Amaryllis Bulb (Photo courtesy of John Scheepers)

Potted Bulbs (Photo courtesy of John Scheepers)

I hope I’ve encouraged you to give Amaryllis a try. For very little effort on your part, you’ll be rewarded with beauty and color to fill your winter days. The boxed Amaryllis “kits” that you find everywhere this time of year are inexpensive and suitable for beginners in that they contain everything you need to get growing. More experienced gardeners and houseplant enthusiasts can choose from the myriad types of Amaryllis now available and plant with abandon!

For an excellent article on everything you need to know about growing and caring for Amaryllis, click on this link: https://www.johnscheepers.com/hamaryllis.html

November 11, 2018November 23, 2019

Holiday Decorating with Winter Blooms

The holidays are upon us once again and that means decorating our homes in celebration of the season. Every year, garlands of fragrant greenery, wreaths, and trees fill our homes and our senses, but houseplants can also make a cheerful contribution. By including colorful winter blooms around the house we can add even more sparkle to festive occasions AND these same plants will continue to please long after the holidays are over.

AMARYLLIS

One of my favorite winter blooms is the stately Amaryllis. These tropical plants are usually purchased as bulbs from which large flowers emerge in 6 to 12 weeks. You can choose from a rainbow of colors which will complement any decor. African or Christmas Amaryllis is an early variety which can be potted up in November for a stunning December show. Although the flowers last only a couple of weeks, you can stagger different varieties to keep the show going all winter.

ANTHURIUM

Anthuriums are popular houseplants that bloom virtually non-stop with heart-shaped bracts or spathes similar to the Peace Lily. Add to this the fact that they come in white, red, pink, yellow, orange or green and you have instant, colorful holiday decor. One word of caution is that Anthuriums can cause gastric upset if ingested, so place these beauties out of reach of children and pets.

CYCLAMEN

Cyclamen, with their vibrant silken flowers and mottled dark green foliage, look like they belong in a fairy garden. They are especially fetching with fresh holiday greenery, and their petite size makes them perfect for grouping as in the mantle display above.

ORCHIDS

white and yellow orchid flowers — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Exotic orchids such as the Phalaenopsis above are available year-round and the many varieties and colors can create high drama in holiday displays. An extra bonus is that the blooms usually last several weeks, carrying us right into spring!

POINSETTIA

Classic Poinsettias are probably the best known of all holiday houseplants. The large blooms are really bracts that last for many weeks. Look for lush, full plants with dark green leaves. The great thing about poinsettias is that you can find them in small, medium, or large containers to fill any space in your home.

Amaryllis 2-13-17 — “Apple Blossom” Amaryllis in February (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

There are many winter blooming plants available at florists, garden centers and even grocery stores, and there’s something for every budget. Take the time to read the plant care tag to ensure that your plant will be happy in your particular home conditions. Experiment with something new or stick with something tried and true, but don’t be afraid to bring a little floral excitement into your holidays and beyond!

October 6, 2018

Good Night, Sweet Garden

October is the grand finale of the gardening season and the optimal time to prepare for spring!

Although May is probably the busiest gardening month for me, October brings about its own frenzy of activity. It’s my last chance to get it all done before snow – a month of bringing in tender plants, dividing and moving perennials, planting bulbs, and, finally, putting the garden to bed for winter.

roman-kraft-624392-unsplash — Rose Hips in Fall (Photo by Roman Kraft)

GETTING READY FOR BED

Chatting with fellow gardeners over the years, I’ve discovered that everyone has their own garden bedtime ritual. For me, the schedule goes like this. Mid-September through mid-October is perennial dividing and planting time. Many plants, shrubs, and trees get established faster in the moderate temperatures and frequent rains that fall provides. By the time spring rolls around, they are well on their way and better able to withstand those first hot days and the dry conditions that are sure to follow. Best of all, I’m not out in the hot spring sun digging and watering, the heaviest work having already been done in the cooler days of fall.

snake plant beside taro and palm plant near gray wall — Photo by Madison Inouye on Pexels.com

BRINGING THE GANG INDOORS

For many of us, all those beautiful potted plants that we brought outdoors in spring now have to return to their inside home. Watch the forecast for any impending frost and plan accordingly. It’s always best to segregate your outdoor plants to one area of your home where you can monitor them for any insects before letting them join your other houseplants. Placing them in a cool room initially will help them gradually get used to the warmer and drier air of the house. Any potted perennials can be moved into an unheated garage where you should water them sparingly until putting them out again in the spring. Tender bulbs like gladiolas, tuberous begonias and dahlias should also be lifted and stored out of the cold. For tips on winterizing tender bulbs and plants, click on the link: https://wimastergardener.org/article/storing-tender-bulbs-for-winter/

BULBS AND MORE BULBS

October is also prime bulb planting time. Visualize your garden in early spring. Would you like to see flowers blooming as early as February and continuing on through summer? If so, look into all the types of flowering bulbs that are available and pop a few favorites into the soil now. Come spring, you’ll be glad you did! For more on planting bulbs, see my blog, The Wonderful World of Bulbs

erda-estremera-786462-unsplash — Blooming Bulbs (Photo by Erda Estremera)

GARLIC ANYONE?

Garlic is also a bulb that you can plant in the fall. Best done from mid-October thru early November, garlic bulbs are the last thing I plant. Shredded leaves make a great mulch to layer over the garlic bed for winter protection. In early spring you’ll notice the long green leaves coming right through the mulch and by summer your garlic will be ready for harvest! For detailed instructions on planting garlic, click on the link: https://nevegetable.org/crops/garlic

joey-huang-721921-unsplash — Garlic Cloves Ready to Plant (Photo by Joey Huang)

ONE FINAL CLEANING

Cutting back spent perennial foliage is best left until after a hard frost when pretty much everything has died back to the ground. I like to leave some plants standing for winter interest. The dried flowers of astilbe and sedum look lovely into late fall and add drama when they catch an early snowfall. Seedpods of echinacea and rudbeckia provide food for birds while rose hips and berries add spots of color in an otherwise dreary landscape. How much you clean up is really a personal choice; just remember that all dead plant material and fallen leaves return valuable nutrients back to the soil.

bud close up cold daylight — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

A LATE SEASON SNACK AND A GARDEN BLANKET

After all the plants and bulbs are in the ground, and any plants I want to save have been brought inside, there are a couple of final steps I take before winter. One thing I do every fall is to apply organic bulb food to my garden beds. This is really the only fertilizer I use and it seems to benefit my perennials as well as the flower bulbs. On top of that, I like to spread some compost around my plants which not only provides nutrients over the coming months but helps to improve the soil. Shredded fall leaves make a great winter mulch for plants that might need some extra protection like hydrangeas or roses, and a good layer of snow provides the perfect winter blanket!

alex-496355-unsplash — Photo by Alex@worthyofelegance

SAYING GOOD NIGHT

I’ve always hated goodbye’s and coming to the end of the gardening season is no exception. The cold and gray winter months ahead can look so bleak but I know there’s life under the surface, waiting for the warmth of spring to begin anew. So rather than say “Goodbye” to all my garden friends, instead I’ll say, “Good night, sweet garden – See you in the spring!”

snow covered ground — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

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