 Cannus |
Choosing bulbs wisely The key to your garden's success is to choose wisely and select bulbs that are healthy. Always look for bulbs that are relatively heavy for their size and very solid. If a bulb feels lightweight or mushy, it probably won't grow well. Don't worry about loose skins or nicks on the surface -- these cosmetic conditions are extremely common and won't affect growth. If you're a true early bird and make your bulb purchases several months in advance of planting, be sure to store them in a cool, dry location in your home. | |
 Tuberous Begonias |
Planting particulars Some bulb varieties, such as tuberous begonias, benefit with extra time to grow. You can start bulbs indoors by planting them in good-quality potting soil, and then placing them in a warm, sunny location. Other summer-flowering bulbs can be planted directly in the garden once the outside temperature warms the soil to at least 55 degrees. The bulbs should be planted in well-drained soil and watered thoroughly. | |
 Dahlia |
Maintenance matters During the growing season, most bulbs require little more than adequate water and occasional fertilizing with a basic, low-nitrogen garden fertilizer or organic fertilizer. It's smart to remove any spent blooms to encourage new blooms to grow. | |
 Caladiums |
Popular picks Gladiolus, dahlias and cannas top the list for sunny gardens. Gladiolus and dahlias provide an incredible range of color and sizes, and both are relatively inexpensive, easy to grow and impressive. The only drawback is that some varieties can get tall and will require staking. Cannas provide a great backdrop for the sun garden with their colorful foliage and long bloom time. When it comes to the shade garden, tuberous begonias and caladiums are top picks. Tuberous begonias require a lot of moisture and fertilizer, so they are not a "plant and forget" flower, but you'll fall in love with their grandiose, rose-like blooms and rich, vibrant colors. Caladiums are more forgiving. They have beautiful leaves with red, pink, green or white veining. They will be even more spectacular if you start them indoors and move them out to the garden once the temperatures rise. | |
 Gladiolus |
When the weather cools If the gardening bug is beginning to bite, go pick out some summer-flowering bulbs -- you won't be disappointed. Their showy display for minimal effort is a summer spectacular! | |
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Susan Bachman West is a fifth-generation member of the Bachman family and works as a buyer for Bachman's Garden Centers. She is passionate about gardening, especially growing roses -- a love she inherited from her grandfather. www.bachmans.com
