If you’ve never planted elephant ears (Colocasia spp.) in your garden , we think now’s the time! There are so many reasons why we love this giant tropical, and we’re pretty sure that after reading this blog post, you’ll belong to the Elephant Ear Fan Club as well.
]]>Good question! While they look very similar and are both often called “elephant ears,” Alocasia has leaves that grow upwards and Colocasia grow foliage that tends to droop downwards. It’s kind of a tomato-tomahto kind of thing. Yes, they’re different species of plants, but we can agree to call them all elephant ears.
Eeek. It’s supremely difficult to call out our favorites. They’re like children. You love them all, don’t you? But if we must, we must. These are our favorites and our reasons why we love them:
Want to read more about tropical gardening? Check out our other blog posts!
Tropical Garden Design – Your Staycation Oasis!
Tropical Designs for Every Garden
]]>If you’re growing a cut flower garden, don’t just focus on the stunning focal flowers! Floral designers all over the world know that to design an interesting bouquet, you also need a variety of “filler” plants. Filler plants are those that get tucked in after all of the main-event flowers have been added to the arrangement, so let’s have a chit-chat about why they’re important and how to choose the best fillers for your works of art.
Just throw a buncha flowers in a vase and you’re golden, right? Well, that could work, but if you take a little extra time to plan it out the way floral designers do, you’ll be much happier with the results. Fillers have a job to do in bouquets and arrangements, and they do it well.
Not just any flower or leaf from your garden will do. While we certainly welcome experimenting with the oddball foliage plant in your garden (hey, that’s how we all do it, right?), there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind for a plant to make the Filler grade:
This is certainly not an exhaustive list, and there are many more flower options than herbs or foliage, but these are some of our all-time faves:
Flowers | Herbs | Foliage |
Gypsophilia | Sage | Dusty Miller |
Astrantia | Basil | Ivy |
Feverfew | Daisy Mint | Myrtle |
Lily of the Valley | Catmint | Lemon Leaves |
Astilbe | Chocolate Mint | Eucalyptus |
Yarrow Ferns | ||
Hydrangea | ||
Lilac | ||
Carnation | ||
Dianthus | ||
Statice | ||
Delphinium |
]]>
If you’ve ever heard that gladiolus are “grandma plants,” it’s time to shake off that outdated rumor! Besides, we know plenty of very cool grandmas, so there’s that. Gladiolus are anything but dusty and musty — in fact, they’re some of the most colorful, carefree, and dramatic bulbs available. If you’re ready to add some of these classic charmers to your garden, our growing tips will help you out.
]]>Pull up a chair, friends, this is a long list:
We’re pretty sure there’s about 17 more reasons to grow these beauties, but we’re equally certain we just convinced you. Personally, they had us at “no deadheading."
Be sure to check out our Gladiolus Growing Guide for more in-depth details, but here the skinny in a nutshell (did we just make up a phrase?):
Because they are so dramatic with their vertical growth, gladiolus are exciting to work with, both in the garden and in flower arrangements. If you’ve created a glad arrangement or garden display that you’re proud of, post it and tag us on Instagram @easytogrowbulbsca so we can share it!
Happy May, everyone! Or, shall we say, “Happy Where You Do Literally Everything in the Garden Month!” We have finally reached that long awaited time in the year when most climates and gardening zones are created equal. The cold climes are warm enough to plant and the warmer/milder areas (which have been gardening for 2 months now) are continuing their garden planting extravaganza.
With so much going on, it pays to get and stay organized and focused, so follow our tips to stay on top of your May garden, and always remember to defer to your local experts on best times to plant in your area.
]]>With so much going on, it pays to get and stay organized and focused, so follow our tips to stay on top of your May garden, and always remember to defer to your local experts on best times to plant in your area.
If you’ve ever made a luscious homemade lasagne, you’re already familiar with the type of planting we’re talking about today. This is all about container planting bulbs in layers so the end result is a gorgeous flower show with staggered bloom time. You simply keep adding layers — just like with your lasagne noodles, sauce, and cheese — until each container is planted. It’s as easy as it sounds, and even more fun!
]]>Any bulbs you want, as long as they have the same growing requirements in terms of sunlight and water. Ideally, you’ll want to choose bulbs that bloom successively so you lengthen the amount of time that container is in bloom, but we’ll talk you through that in just a minute.
How about because it’s easy, fun, and allows you to plant more bulbs in a small footprint? More bulbs = more beauty, that’s what we always say. Consider how, when you’re planting bulbs out in the garden, you sometimes have gaps in between your plantings. With this method, all those gaps are eradicated, resulting in lush, full, and colorful blooms.
Let’s get down to it! One thing we really like about this method is that you can pot up layered bulbs at different times of the year, maximizing your container bulb garden. Just gather a few simple supplies and you’re ready to go. We’re going to show you the planting method first, then give you ideas of some smashing bulb combos that will brighten up your garden’s gathering areas.
Containers (terracotta, plastic, or ceramic) with adequate drainage holes
Potting soil
Your bulbs of choice
Hand trowel
Tip: Try to offset your layers of plantings so that the bottom layer of larger bulbs can grow up through the layers above without disturbing the smaller bulbs.
We recommend choosing 2-3 different bulbs per container — one early-blooming variety, a mid-season bloomer, and one that blooms later in the season. You can mix and match, but these are some of our favorite combos. The recipes are listed with their bloom time in order: the first bulb is the earliest bloomer, the second bulb is the mid-season bloomer, and the last bulb is (you guessed it!) the latest blooming of the combo.
Remember, because they are blooming one after another, the colors don’t even need to “go” together — but to be on the safe side in case of bloom overlap, we’d pick flowers that coordinate nicely.
Tulip Abba Tulip Monte Carlo Tulip Spring Green |
Crocus Vernus Daffodil Yellow Cheerfulness Tulip White Parrot |
Crocus Large Flowering Mix Hyacinth Fondant Allium Mount Everest |
Giant Snowdrops Hyacinth Jan Bos Narcissus Ice Follies |
Muscari Armeniacum & Anemone Blanda
Muscari Aremiacum & Tulip Maureen
Tulip Kikomachi & Dutch Iris Telstar
Tulip Pinocchio & Anemone Blanda
]]>Have you ever caught yourself wistfully thinking, “I wish I could grow tulips where I live, but the winters don’t get cold enough” or “I love dahlias but they just don’t grow well here”? Well, we’re not going to tell you it’s easy to grow flowering bulbs outside of their preferred zones, but it’s entirely possible! If you follow our tips, of course.
If a bulb doesn’t easily grow in your neck of the woods, it can still grow and thrive — it simply needs a little extra love and thoughtfulness. Be mindful and deliberate with what, when and where you plant these darlings, and you can enjoy a season of your favorite flowers.
If March is the transitional month between winter and spring, then April is the gateway to most of our spring gardening. Yes, you may be in an area that can still see late season freezes and even some snow, but for the most part…it’s SPRING! And you know what that means, don’t you? Your shovels, trowels, and compost piles better be ready because they’re about to get a pretty big workout.
]]>Follow our tips to stay on top of your April garden, and always remember to defer to your local experts on the best times to plant in your area.
Everyone has their favorite flowers, and if pressed, many gardeners have their favorite variety of that flower. Take lilies, for example — lilies are a much-loved flowering bulb for gardeners everywhere, but when the topic narrows down to Stargazer lilies, suddenly there’s a cult following.
]]>Stargazer lilies are prized by both home gardeners and flower farmers alike; their stellar features make them nearly universally loved and widely grown.
Stargazer lilies are Oriental lilies, which are native to Japan. Oriental lilies are characterized by their exotic beauty and intense fragrance, and typically bloom late in the summer or even early fall. While most Oriental lilies have flowers that tend to hang down, Stargazer features upward-facing flowers, leading to the origin of the name.
But that’s not the only standout feature Stargazer lilies have — they take all the best features of Oriental lilies and push the envelope even harder.
If you like incredible beauty with easy to grow features, Stargazer is for you!
Although they’re easy to grow, Stargazer lilies do have some preferences and care requirements.
Note: Lilies are toxic to both dogs and cats, but they are particularly lethal to cats. If you have curious furry friends, plant Stargazer lilies in an area of the garden where they don’t have access and showcase them indoors where your pets cannot investigate them. We want you to have a gorgeous garden as well as healthy and safe pets!
]]>We’ve come a long way from thinking that vegetables can only be grown in the ground, in rows, in the backyard. Not that there is anything wrong with that, you understand — but it used to be that we all thought it was the only way it could properly be done. Now we know we can have vegetables growing in our front yards, in sweeps rather than rows, in between flowers, and in our landscape beds. But what about containers? Yes, you can absolutely grow vegetables in containers, and we’re going to talk about why you may want to as well as how to do it successfully.
]]>Well, not to be cheeky…but why not? You’re allowed to do something just because you can, but if you’d like more reasons, here you go:
Almost all of them, with a few exceptions. You’ll have more success with dwarf or “patio- sized” edibles like herbs, small fruits, and smaller veggies. Root veggies like carrots do well in deeper containers to accommodate their below-soil growth, and tomatoes are best if you use determinate or “bush” style so they don’t get out of hand.
Anything you can grow in the ground, you can grow in a container. Except for a 50’ shade tree, because whoever heard of doing that? But we digress. Vegetables in particular can be well-suited to container gardening as long as you give each type of veggie or edible what it needs to thrive. Let’s break it down:
We bet you already have a number of lily bulbs planted in your garden, and you may receive some potted lilies each spring as a gift, but how about planting your own in containers? These gorgeous flowers deserve to be front and center, and container planting is just the way to achieve that.
]]>We could simply say “Because they’re obviously amazing,” but we really want to drive the point home.
Start by reading our Lily Planting Guide, then hone in on these tips for picture-perfect potted lilies:
If you’re new to bulb gardening and are wondering why you might start adding bulbs to your existing garden, we’ll always tell it like it is. There are pros and cons to every type of plant, including bulbs. That being said, let’s take a look at the ups and downs of both flowering bulbs and other types of non-bulb flowering perennials so you can make the best choice for you!
]]>Note: Although there are tons on non-flowering bulbs and plants, in this blog post we’re zooming in on the flowering types of each.
Pros:
Bottom Line: Their upfront cost can initially be considered a “con,” but with many bulbs multiplying and growing offshoots, the cost is well worth it overall. And while there is less instant gratification with bulbs, their dramatic beauty, ease of care, and typical long life sets them apart from other types of flowering plants.
In this category, we’re talking about flowering perennials — those plants that return and flower every year as opposed to annuals that complete their lifespan in one growing season. We love annuals, too, but they have their own unique set of pros and cons, don’t they?
Pros:
Bottom Line: Flowering perennials are the workhorses of the garden, providing a relatively inexpensive way to add tons of form and color. While not as flashy as flowering bulbs, perennials are beautiful and dependable options for both beginning and experienced gardeners.
Our recommendation: Start by creating structure with trees, shrubs, and evergreens. Then add sweeps of flowering perennials that bloom at different times of the year, and fill in with groupings of exuberantly flowering bulbs for massive impact. This is by far the best way to develop a garden that offers a year-round WOW factor — and you can build on it every year!
]]>All you have to do to know that container gardening is a thing and will always be a thing is 1) check out bookstore shelves and Amazon searches and 2) drool over Instagram posts. Container gardening is here to stay, and we’re going to show you why and — most importantly — how you can grow your own Instagram-worthy potted garden. (Oh, and tag us @easytogrowbulbsca so we can drool with everyone else, please).
]]>Sometimes there are only 2-3 reasons to try something new in the garden — and if those reasons are strong, that’s good enough for most people. But container gardening? There are almost endless reasons why it’s so popular:
Literally any plant that can grow in the ground can also grow in a container. The trick, as you may guess, is in giving it exactly what it needs to thrive (more on that in the next section). These types of plants are known to grow successfully in containers:
Evergreens | Trees & Shrubs (smaller are better) |
Bulbs | Tropicals |
Perennials | Ornamental Grasses |
Annual Flowers | Vines |
Edible Plants | Cacti & Succulents |
The only plants we wouldn’t recommend for container gardening are the obvious ones: Very large trees, plants with deep tap roots, and groundcovers. Why not groundcovers? Well, you can certainly add them in as an accent, but on their own in a container, they don’t make much sense.
Think about it this way: Plants grown in containers rely on you to give them what they need; they can’t spread their roots into the surrounding garden to seek anything out in terms of light, water, and nutrients. They’re literally a contained ecosystem. So you’re it for them, but we know you’re up to the challenge.
If you love herbs and have been thinking about growing some indoors, here are some great tips and ideas to get you started! We like to preface every article that talks about growing any plant indoors with the following: No plant was created to grow inside, by definition, but some will take to it quite well provided you give them what they need to thrive. So, let’s talk about what that means.
]]>Because herbs are so easy to grow, you may wonder why you’d want to grow them inside. There are lots of reasons, including:
And don’t fret over the word “challenge” — it doesn’t mean that we are being polite and indoor herbs are a nightmare that no sane person should grow. It simply means that growing herbs indoors is not a one-size-fits-all kind of endeavor and that you may need to fiddle around a bit to figure out the sweet spot.
A majority of the most commonly grown herbs can be grown indoors — it’s really just a matter of giving each herb what it wants to thrive (see section below) and starting them from the right size. You may have to experiment a bit in your own environment, and some herbs may take too much effort, but most are doable if you have the passion for it!
Rosemary | Thyme |
Cilantro | Lemon Balm |
Marjoram | Bay |
Chives | Basil |
Parsley | Oregano |
Mint | Sage |
Herbs that are not recommended for indoors include very large herbs like dill and fennel, flowering herbs like chamomile and root herbs like garlic.
Cilantro and basil can be a challenge, but those challenges are not insurmountable. French tarragon and chives do also benefit from a cool period, so you may find those herbs less than ideal for indoors as well.
Q: Can I dig up my outside herbs and plant them inside?
A: Yes, within reason. Dig them up, cut them back, and replant them in a container that is large enough to house their roots. Plan to isolate them from other herbs or houseplants until you’re sure they’re not bringing in any unwanted houseguests in the form of pesky bugs.
Q: Do I have to start with young/small plants?
A: Perennial herbs like rosemary, thyme, and Greek oregano will do best if grown from transplants from the garden center. You can also take cuttings of herbs like basil and mint — start them in water and then transplant into soil. Herbs that can be started from seed include cilantro and parsley, and oregano can be started from seed as long as you’re willing give it a few months to reach harvest.
Q: What kind of bugs do I need to look out for?
A: If you are buying transplants, always inspect before you purchase and bring them home. Look for aphids and spider mites in particular. Aphids will leave sticky droppings on your herbs while spider mites create fine webs on the foliage.
]]>There are tons of plants that are 100% safe to plant if you’re also a dog or cat lover, but as you know, there’s a number that will do a number on Poppy and Fluffy. Some toxic plants can simply cause an upset stomach, but others can cause liver failure and even death, so it’s essential to remain aware. The best advice is to never have any known toxic plant on your property on in your house, but that’s not always possible (and your pet may ingest a poisonous plant away from home). Let’s take a look at some of the most toxic plants for dogs and cats, and what to do if you think they’ve eaten something that could harm them.
]]>While we can’t list every single plant that is known to be toxic to dogs, we’ve gathered some of the most common for you here. For a full listing, the ASPCA has an extensive list of plants that are poisonous to pets, with the ability to search for those specific to dogs or cats.
Sago palm | Alocasia |
Amaryllis | Holly |
Chinese Evergreen | Dieffenbachia |
Cyclamen | Daffodil |
Hydrangea | Lantana |
Dahlia | English Ivy |
Golden Pothos | Hosta |
Lemongrass | Oleander |
Paperwhite | Azalea |
Begonia | Boxwood |
Caladium | Clematis |
Elephant Ears | Nandina |
Kalanchoe | Morning Glory |
Peace Lily | Rhododendrun |
Here’s a partial list of the most common plants that are poisonous to kitties, and as with those the dog-related list, please refer to the ASPC website and complete a search for plants that are specifically toxic to cats.
Yew |
Lily
|
Amaryllis | Lily of the Valley |
Tulip |
Dieffenbachia
|
Castor Bean | Daffodil |
Hyacinth | Lantana |
Chrysanthemum | English Ivy |
Pothos | Calla Lily |
Butterfly Iris | Oleander |
Geranium | Azalea |
Gladiolus | Milkweed |
Caladium | Spanish Thyme |
Larkspur | Rhododendrun |
Kalanchoe | Peace Lily |
You may or may not be completely aware when, if, or what your pet ate that may be making them ill. If you suspect your dog or cat has ingested a toxic plant, or if you know for sure because you observed it happening, there are quick action steps that you’ll need to take.
February just may be the most challenging month in the garden year. This is the month when we often experience the most extreme winter weather, and even if you live in a more mild climate, it’s still not quite the time to plant those warm season plants. So, what to do? More than you might think! Use this checklist to stay on task, but remember — always check with your local extension office for best times for planting and pruning in your specific area.
]]>Have you ever sat around and thought, “I know I should be doing something in the garden right about now, but I’m not sure what”? The obvious things are easy to remember, but so many times we’re caught off guard and forget to do something crucial. We’re here to help with our monthly lists of what to do in the garden — and remember, these are general lists and not specific to a growing zone or gardening region, so always check with your area experts for more detailed suggestions.
]]>All flowering bulbs are not created equal. They’re all equally gorgeous, of course, but some are short-lived while others come back year after year. Then there’s the question of how long any bulb can live out of the ground (because we know we’re not the only ones who forgot to plant those daffodils last fall, right?). So the lifespan of your bulbs depends upon a few different factors, and we’re about to break all that down for you!
]]>No matter what you do, some flowering bulbs will only bloom for a season while others continue to bloom for years on end. It’s the nature of each type of bulb, and understanding that will help you plan your garden with realistic expectations. It also shields you from heartache and guilt that your tulip didn’t rebloom from last year — you didn’t do anything wrong, you’re not a bad gardener, and the tulip isn’t defective. It’s just being a tulip.
Let’s say you ordered a bunch of lily bulbs and then life got in the way and they did not get planted. Someone got sick, you had a baby, your new job required you to travel more. Whatever the reason, those lilies are in their package, gnawing away at a corner of your brain. It’s time to open the package up and take a look inside; it’s the only way you’ll know.
Healthy, viable bulbs are firm and plump. Any bulb that is mushy and soft is rotten, and any bulb that is very dry, withered, or disintegrating is beyond its prime. Neither will grow. Toss them into the compost pile and console yourself with the fact that they will contribute to your garden’s growth and beauty in a different form.
Most bulbs will still flower if they were left out for up to a year unplanted. But realize that with every passing season, while it’s still possible that they could grow and flower, their growth might be weaker and flower production and size will continue to go down. So, plan to plant them as soon as possible, or simply get ‘em in the ground when you’re able and just enjoy what growth pops up.
If you’re a gardener and love Valentine’s Day, you’re probably up for gifting the people you love some plant presents (assuming the recipients are also gardeners or plant lovers, of course!). We’d love to make your gifting even easier with our suggestions on the perfect gift for that love-filled, heart happy holiday.
]]>Some of our favorites include:
But beware of sending roses, because their meanings entirely depend upon the color you choose and can range from passionate love to mourning, jealousy, innocence, or infidelity. It simply wouldn’t be in good form to send your beloved husband or partner yellow roses unless you want them to know you love them a little less these days! Hey, we’re here for all of your flower bulb and relationship needs, and we’re good with that.
]]>If you follow us on Instagram, you’ve probably seen us talk about our Adventure Packs (and if you’re not, let’s fix that — follow us here!). But we think they’re such a great deal that we want to be sure nobody misses out on the info, so here’s everything you need to know.
]]>Adventure Packs are huge bundles of bulbs in a variety of colors, shapes, and form. They do not have any specific theme other than that they are all amazing, and each bulb is clearly labelled so you know what you’re getting. But you don’t know ahead of time! That’s the “adventure” part of our packs; it’s a total surprise. What’s in the pack?
If you’re the kind of person who loves presents because of the surprise element, Adventure Packs are for you, but there are more reasons to love them:
Sure, an adventure is great, but you still need some additional details to make up your mind, and these should help you out:
You may wind up with some bulbs you know literally nothing about, and that’s okay! We kind of pride ourselves on everything that has to do with bulbs, and we want you to feel confident and be successful. That’s why we’ve written extensive Growing Guides for each bulb variety — we will never send you bulbs without also providing you with the knowledge of what they are and how to plant and grow them.
Happy planting, and let the adventure begin!
]]>The holidays are coming right up, and before you know it, you’ll be sitting around scratching your head and thinking, “What do I give my boss?” Well, it could be a boss, a thoughtful neighbor, your favorite sibling (be honest, you’ve got a favorite), or a dear friend. We are strong advocates for gifting plants, whether it’s for the holidays or another special occasion. But which plant to what person? To no one’s surprise, we have a few thoughts on the matter.
]]>First, know your audience — gifting plants should create joy rather than disappointment or frustration. What are their interests? What’s their lifestyle like? And second, have an idea where this plant gift is going. Will it be indoors or planted and enjoyed outdoors?
Take a look at our Gift section for inspiration, then refer to this list to see if any of these descriptions are ringing a bell:
Still unsure? Give them a gift card! We’re not sure why gift cards get an occasional bad rap, but rather than being thoughtless, it allows your recipient to choose what they really like. Send an Easy to Grow gift card from $25 - $200 to make plant gifting a snap.
If you have 5 or more gifts to buy for valued clients, for example, download our Corporate Gift Catalogue to make gifting easy!
]]>It’s only Halloween one day per year, and most people let their Halloween spirit out only in the month of October. But if Halloween or spooky, creepy plants is your jam, you can create that in your garden year-round! We say, why wait for one month when there’s 11 other months that need the creep effect?
]]>Well, that is certainly up for debate. But around here, we think spooky plants are any of the following:
We highly recommend being clear from the beginning about what you want this garden to look like. Dark and creepy? Moody and romantic? Bright and fun? Because these plants are individually striking and dramatic, if you throw them all into the garden together, it may look like a frightening mess. Maybe one of these tips will help you achieve the creepy Halloween effect you want:
Okay, we admit that may have sounded a little judgy. After all, who’s to determine if a plant is weird or not? But whether you call them weird, oddball, non-traditional, or flat-out freaky, unusual plants are a fun addition to almost any garden. Not sure how to incorporate them? Ahhh, that is what we are here for.
]]>We’re gonna go on record as saying that just because a garden is weird doesn’t mean it can’t also be beautiful with great design. In fact, to have the greatest impact, it should. Don’t forget your basic design elements when adding weird plants into your garden.
Let’s take vampires and zombies as an example (bear with us, now): Both are weird, bizarre, and foreboding, correct? But vampires, with their traditional upscale dress and on-point (albeit creepy) makeup, are dashing and elegant. Now think of zombies — total trainwreck and repulsive to look at. Let your weird garden be the vampire, not the zombie.
This is a question we get asked a lot: Is my bulb a perennial or an annual? And we’re not trying to be coy here, but the answer is “it depends.” Bulbs are a little different than other types of plants that neatly fit into the perennial or annual categories, and this blog post will explain how.
]]>And if you’re hearing that little voice inside your head that says, “What does it matter? If it comes back, it comes back!” then we want you to take a hot minute. If your bulb in question is a perennial and you’re thinking it might be an annual, we don’t want you pulling that bulb out thinking it’s done! The very thought is horrifying, wouldn’t you agree?
Let’s first be sure we’re all speaking the same language. Perennial bulbs are those that come back every year, and often with more blooms than it sported the year before. Annual bulbs, on the other hand, complete their life cycle in one growing season, so you have to plant new bulbs every year.
Now, the reason we said “it depends” in the opening paragraph is that with some bulbs (eyeballs on you, tulips), they will come back year after year if you live, say, in a town in Northern Iran. And even if you live in the United States, if you garden in a cooler climate then your bulbs might be treated differently than if you live in San Antonio, Texas. So, bulbs that are perennials in our garden might not be perennials in yours.
Many spring-blooming bulbs need to go through what we call a “winter chilling” period in order to complete their life cycle, and this means you’ll need temps of 40 degrees or colder for at least 12 weeks. If your climate is warmer than that, you’ll need to pre-chill your bulbs in the fridge — and these bulbs should be treated as annuals.
So, before we go any further, you’ll need to know these things:
You may find, after gathering this information, that you want to fine-tune which bulbs you grow so they align with the growing conditions in your area. Or, if that doesn’t matter as much and you’re perfectly happy doing a little extra work, then we heartily support you.
Perennial Bulbs
Bulbs that are perennial under ideal growing conditions
Iris reticulata
Annual Bulbs
There are exceptions to all of these. Of course there are. Bulbs are special. For example, dahlias are not cold hardy in most areas, but you don’t want to consider them annuals and simply throw them out. Diehard dahlia lovers dig them up, store them for the winter, and replant in the spring. Why? Because dahlia tubers are expensive, but an initial $15 tuber will multiply and give you scores more over time. Well worth the extra labor, in our opinion! P.S. Italian ranunculus behave much the same way that dahlias do.
And tulips are always an exception to any rule. In general, they are perennial but only under the right growing conditions. If they come back for you, they may only do so for a couple years before they decline. Species tulips are more dependably perennial.
Most bulbs are perennial somewhere, and if your garden is not that somewhere that, say, tulips really like, then you have a few choices: 1) Don’t plant tulips. The horror. 2) Plant them new every year. 3) Plant them and experiment to see how many seasons you can get out of them. One of our team members lives in Austin, Texas, and desperately wants to grow dahlias. Can she? Yes. Will she need to do a little extra work? Yes. Will she? Time will tell!
]]>Have you ever heard the term “naturalize?” When it comes to bulbs — and if you want that prized informal look to your garden design — you’ll want to use bulbs that naturalize. That means they come back year after year and spread out informally in your garden. Now, don’t flip out and think we are recommending “invasive” plants; that’s a different thing altogether. Invasives are plants that reproduce easily but proceed to compete with and choke out other valuable plants.
]]>Bulbs that naturalize also reproduce on their own, but in a gentler fashion. They slowly spread out and create that informal and charming look that so many of us want. After all, bulbs don’t grow in rows and lines out in nature, do they? If this is the look you’re going for, we’d love to help you out!
First, of course, you’ll want to choose your bulbs. Not all of them naturalize very well, while others are champs. In addition to this list, keep an eye out for descriptions of the bulbs wherever you buy them (like, from us). If it’s described as “good for naturalizing” then you’re on the right track.
Iris*
Tulip**
*Iris: There are different types of iris that naturalize slowly, like Dutch iris, Siberian iris, and Japanese iris.
**Tulips: Okay, this one is a “sort of” naturalizer. Not all tulips naturalize, but the species tulips tend to perform quite well this way.
There’s a bit of thought that goes into planting something to look intentionally informal. Your goal is to complete the initial planting in a random and informal pattern, then let nature take its course. Year after year, your bulbs will slowly spread out and develop its own charming design. To get started, though, we recommend these tips:
Ever wonder what makes one garden look, well, nice, and another garden look fabulous? While there are lots of things that go into creating a successful garden design, color is at the top of the list! How you use color, combine colors, lay colors out…it all adds up to make the difference between pretty good and “uh-MAZING.” Let’s break it down!
]]>Well, you could in theory, but if you don’t use “all the colors” with a plan in mind, you can run the risk of creating a garden that simply looks scattered and unfocused. Before you choose your color scheme, though, we want you to consider these two questions:
Although it sounds kind of fancy, the color wheel is simply a useful tool in choosing colors and shades of colors that work together rather than clash. We can’t speak for you, but we have zero interest in reinventing the wheel (bad pun totally intended) — somebody somewhere invented this color wheel and it just works.
Okay, here’s the fun stuff! Theory is great, but we want to put it into use, don’t we? We all want our gardens to have a particular look or feel, and most of us have issues in our gardens that we need to address. Color choice goes a long way to achieving both of those goals.
Example of a Contrasting Color Scheme:
Example of a Monochromatic Color Scheme:
Want to know some of color uses we avoid?
While bulbs are some of the easiest plants to grow, they do have some specific needs in terms of how and when they are cared for over the winter months. In many cases, you don’t need to disturb them at all — just let them be to return with more glory the next year. But there are a number of reasons to dig those bulbs up and store them over the cold months, and if this is something that has intimidated you in the past, we’re here to help!
]]>Depending upon your location, the type of bulbs you have in your garden, and your specific weather conditions/patterns, there are lots of reasons why you’d opt to dig up and store your flower bulbs. These are the most common:
There are two types of bulbs (tender and hardy) and, while the process for digging them up and storing over the winter is similar, there are a few differences. Learn when and how to dig up and properly store all of your bulbs with these steps:
Tender bulbs: Most tender bulbs are planted in the spring for summer blooming, and include amaryllis, canna, gladiolus, begonia, dahlia, caladium, and Colocasia. If you live in a colder climate, these will need to be dug up and stored.
Hardy bulbs: Most of these are planted in the fall for spring bloom, like tulips, daffodils, lilies, hyacinth, crocus, iris, snowdrops, allium, fritillaria, and grape hyacinth. Hardy bulbs can usually withstand cold winters and don’t need to be dug up and stored every year.
Note: In this blog, you’ll notice that we’ve used the term “bulb” to refer to many types of plants that have underground food storage organs, but these plants also include corms, tubers, and rhizomes. Want to learn more about which is which? Read “Bulbs, Corms, Rhizomes, and Tubers: What They Are and How to Grow Them.”
]]>We love that vibrant, tropical look in the garden but often feel frustrated when those colorful plants don’t make it through the winter. Plants like tropical hibiscus with their look-at-me flowers scream umbrella drinks and toes-in-sand vibe, don’t they? If you’re with us on this, then you’ll be ecstatic to know that there’s a hibiscus that will take those cold winters and come back to wow you another year. They’re hardy hibiscus, also known as perennial hibiscus, shrub hibiscus, and Rose of Sharon! Let’s talk about how to grow them.
]]>Because places that sell hibiscus don’t differentiate between the different types (they might all simply be labelled “hibiscus”), here are a few ways you can be the Smarty Pants and in the know:
Note: Rose of Sharon is a shrub type of hardy hibiscus, and typically has flowers that measure 2-3” across, in single or double form, and come in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white. They will often be labelled Rose of Sharon or Althea.
If you’ve ever grown tropical hibiscus, you likely already know that those plants grow best in hot, humid climates with full sun. Hardy hibiscus have different needs in order to thrive.
Zone: 4-9
Height: 42-72”
Spread: 3 ft.
Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water: Moderate
Bloom Season: Mid to Late Summer
Critter Resistance: Usually deer resistant. Rabbits may nibble on new growth but leaves will quickly grow too large for them to reach.
Pollinator Magnet: Get ready for hummingbirds and pollinating bees to visit!
Such little work for so much garden drama! Another reason we love them.
Want more tropical garden tips? Check out our other blog posts! Learn about tropical design, how to grow plants with tropical flair, and how to create container gardens with that vacation vibe with these great reads:
Tropical Garden Design Ideas — Your Staycation Oasis
]]>Every now and then we like to create slightly nerdier blog posts, and now is one of those times. There are those among us who love to know the how and why and all the juicy details — like the difference between bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes. To the casual gardener, these are usually all referred to simply as “bulbs,” but horticulturalists view these types of plants very differently.
]]>The correct umbrella term is actually “geophyte,” which comes from the Greek words for earth (“geo”) and plant (“phyte”). It refers to perennial plants that have underground food storage organs. So aside from knowing the precise terminology, what’s the value in understanding the differences between bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes? They grow differently and have different care needs, and we’re going to show you what those are!
While each of these has general growing and dividing guidelines, plants within the corm category, for example, may have slightly different growing needs, so always be sure to check your particular plant’s requirements before deciding you’re going to dig them up in the fall!
Goodbye, summer! While it may not be fall quite yet, it’s looming ahead. And when it’s here, you want to be ready for a new season of planting, so let’s take a look at your summer garden to see what’s what.
]]>And before you start a major cleanup, we urge you to become familiar (if you’re not already) with suggested planting times for your area. This information will help you determine not only your planting schedule, but your seasonal garden chores and tasks. Your local extension office should have a month-by-month chart that shows you what should be happening in the garden at that time.
Decide what needs to happen in your end-of-summer garden, then plan it out safely. Only the smallest of gardens can be cleaned up in one weekend or a day, so save your back by using your head to plan several weekends worth of activities. And get those kids out there! And if you don’t have littles, we recommend bribing family and friends with a cookout and cocktails — works every time.
Now that you have your summer garden tidied up and ready for fall, it does kind of beg the question — what are your plans for fall gardening? Wouldn’t you know, there’s a blog post for that. Or four.