Tender Summer Bulbs: Tips on How to Grow and Store Them
Tender summer bulbs include some popular varieties, such as dahlias, gladiolus and caladiums. Not all of these summer favorites are true bulbs. Many are tubers, corms and rhizomes. They are all classified as geophytes, but grouping them as bulbs is a habit for most gardeners. No matter what they're called, tender summer bulbs are beautiful and easy to grow.
These tender bulbs can be planted anytime after the ground warms sufficiently in the spring. This is the opposite of their spring-flowering relatives such as daffodils and tulips, which need to be planted in the fall. Summer bulbs can be purchased in the spring just before time to plant them. They can also be ordered months in advance from garden catalogs and delivered just before planting time.
Summer bulbs are referred to as tender bulbs because most of them can't survive freezing temperatures. Most tender bulbs must be dug and stored over the winter for USDA Zones 7 and colder. This doesn't seem to affect their popularity with home gardeners. Tender summer bulbs can be planted beginning in the spring and often the planting times can be staggered to extend the bloom times until fall.
Many gardeners often treat these summer bulbs as annuals and leave them to perish outdoors in the winter. An alternative method is to dig them and store them for the winter. This is certainly the more budget friendly way. Many of these summer bulbs are available at local garden centers already potted, growing and ready to enjoy. Don't forget to look for economical packages of tubers, bulbs, corms and rhizomes usually where seed packages are sold.
Begonias (Photo. 1)
These beautiful shade loving begonias shouldn't be confused with the annual fibrous-root begonias commonly sold as annual bedding plants. These begonias are grown from tubers and have several varieties of foliage and flowers available. Some are large doable flowering varieties available in brilliant hues of pinks, orange, yellow, white and red.
These tender bulbs can be planted anytime after the ground warms sufficiently in the spring. This is the opposite of their spring-flowering relatives such as daffodils and tulips, which need to be planted in the fall. Summer bulbs can be purchased in the spring just before time to plant them. They can also be ordered months in advance from garden catalogs and delivered just before planting time.
Summer bulbs are referred to as tender bulbs because most of them can't survive freezing temperatures. Most tender bulbs must be dug and stored over the winter for USDA Zones 7 and colder. This doesn't seem to affect their popularity with home gardeners. Tender summer bulbs can be planted beginning in the spring and often the planting times can be staggered to extend the bloom times until fall.
Many gardeners often treat these summer bulbs as annuals and leave them to perish outdoors in the winter. An alternative method is to dig them and store them for the winter. This is certainly the more budget friendly way. Many of these summer bulbs are available at local garden centers already potted, growing and ready to enjoy. Don't forget to look for economical packages of tubers, bulbs, corms and rhizomes usually where seed packages are sold.
Begonias (Photo. 1)
These beautiful shade loving begonias shouldn't be confused with the annual fibrous-root begonias commonly sold as annual bedding plants. These begonias are grown from tubers and have several varieties of foliage and flowers available. Some are large doable flowering varieties available in brilliant hues of pinks, orange, yellow, white and red.
- Tender summer bulbs include some all-time favorites such as dahlias, begonias and gladiolas.
- The bulbs, tubers, rhizomes and corms can be dug and stored over winter and replanted in spring.
Comments
You seem to have a wealth of knowledge about gardening. Thanks for sharing. :-)
Mr. GreenJeans would be proud! Another winner, Donna! I wish you could work your magic on my garden! Until, I'll just have to pick up what i can from your articles!
Comments 1 - 2 (of 2)
|
|