Dahlia Bulbs, Underground Marvels

One of the joys of gardening is the opportunity for discovery. Dahlia bulbs are a perfect example.

When these modified roots are planted in the garden, sprouts appear pretty quickly. The sprouts become mature dahlias by late summer and cover themselves with showy flowers in a wide range of hues and petal forms.

But while all eyes are on the impressive amount of top growth and the numerous blooms, something surprising is happening underground. Something that many gardeners never see.

Should you decide to dig your dahlia bulbs up in the fall, however, you'll realize that the tuberous roots have grown huge. They resemble potatoes, round or sweet potato shaped, varying with the variety. Too bad they aren't edible, because they would make quite a meal. It's hard to believe this much growth occurs in just a couple of months.

Depending on where you live, these tubers can remain in the ground over the winter or may need to be stored indoors during the cold months.

Give them a place in your garden and you'll see that dahlias are yet another example of Mother Nature's ability to surprise and amaze.

Oriental lilies are full of surprises. First, take the bulbs. Unlike simple spherical crocus corms or hyacinth bulbs, oriental lily bulbs are elaborate structures that resemble fleshy pinecones with lots of overlapping scales. Novice gardeners are usually startled when they see these intricate wonders for the first time and understandably so.

Next, consider the oriental lily's dormancy period. Most bulbs go through an annual rest or dormancy phase during which they can be stored out of the ground and easily transplanted. Lily bulbs nap, but don't really sleep - they want to get growing. It's common to see the beginnings of a stout shoot sprouting out of a not-yet-planted bulb. Don't keep them waiting; get these bulbs in the soil promptly so they can take off.

And finally, there's their invisible secret weapon. One warm summer evening, as you walk through your garden, you'll be stunned by it. A scent so rich, strong and pervasive that it borders on narcotic. Yesterday it wasn't there; today it's impossible to miss. And it's wonderful. Beauty aside, this is the reason many don't consider a garden complete without oriental lilies.

Now you know some of the fabulous surprises in store for lily growers. Discover the rest for yourself.

For gardeners who enjoy entertaining, here's a tip: plant gladiolus bulbs this year. Why? Because the resulting blooms provide a surprising number of opportunities for creative expression. Here are just a few things you can do with them.

That's only the beginning. But to have all this fun, you have to plant gladiolus bulbs this year. (And this site has some of the largest ones found anywhere in the U.S.)