Park Seed Garden Journal

Amaryllis: The Best Diversion From Inclement Weather

There are always indoor projects to keep you preoccupied inside while the ice and wind lays waste to everything you've worked for all season. Like amaryllis! Yay! Wonderful, holiday-cheery, Amaryllis mocks your freezing gardens and floppy flower beds with it huge radiant tropical blooms. With your new fun friends Pizazz, Razzle Dazzle, Rock N' Roll, Zombie, and Candy Stripe you won't have time to think about all of the things you can't do outside right now.

Time for fall planting is being carried off in a brisk wind. We're having record lows here on the east coast. I expect a few warm days before hard winter, but if you've got bulbs to get in the ground, depending on where you are, it may be a little too late to get them established. Hopefully, you handled all of that a month ago, unlike me. I guess it's okay, I can keep them in a cool dry place until the ground warms up in the spring. We are already starting to list a few of our Bulbs for spring planting, those will not ship until it is time to plant them next year. I can't wait, I want to try a few of the new tulip culti-vars.

 

Saffron Crocus

Saffron Crocus is a truly stunning flower.  The Crocus is one of my favorite flower forms, and the Crocus sativus is one of the most beautiful.  It is also, though, a flower with a unique history.

As you probably know, the spice Saffron is made from the dried stigma and style of the Saffron Crocus flower.  Saffron is often cited as the most expensive spice in the world, and it's not hard to believe if you check out prices at the grocery store.  Unlike many expensive spices, Saffron is not so expensive because of the difficulty of growing it or a very limited growing range.  Rather, it's because each flower produces a very small amount of the spice.

Saffron is also valuable as an ingredient in many traditional medicines, including some to treat melancholy, going back thousands of years.  I don't know how effective it is as a remedy, but I can say that it's difficult to keep an ill humor going in the face of good Saffron-laden food.  Saffron is used as a very high-end dye as well, prized for its uniform and rich golden-yellow hue.  Buddhist monks in some parts of the world have dyed their robes saffron since the death of the Buddha (the gold of the Dalai Lama's robes is saffron), though all but a very few groups use much less expensive substitutes, such as turmeric.

In cooking, Saffron is associated with many different regional cuisines.  In many parts of the world it is also used to lightly aromatize wine, chocolates, and tea.  It is entirely possible that much of Saffron's tremendous value is simply because it is percieved to be so valuable.  However, it has been so valued for thousands of years.  Wars have been fought for control of this brilliant yellow powder, and now you can simply grow your own at home.

New Tulips for Fall

We're really excited about all of the new Tulip bulbs we've got available this year.  There's nothing in the world that so clearly announces spring to me as do tight Tulip buds about to open.  The Tulip flower is one of my favorite blooms, with its elegant form opening to a softly colored cup.  No flower so perfectly strikes the balance of simplicity without being at all boring.

Of course, not all Tulips feature such simple blooms.  Parrot Tulips manage to bring real excitement to the genus.  This year we're offering the Tulip 'Green Wave,' a Parrot that's nearly as dynamic as it is beautiful.  The feather-like petals open green, but start to blush at the tips within a few days.  Before long, you've got a brilliant pink and cream flower with a strong green stripe at the center of each petal.  It's a late-bloomer, and what a great way to finish your spring bulb season!

Don't think, though, that we've moved away from the more traditional-formed Tulips.  'Green Wave' is just one of our nine new Tulips for this fall, each one more exceptional than the last.  Add drama to the normally light spring displays with the deep burgundy of 'Alexander Pushkin,' or enjoy the warm pinks of 'Albert Heyn.'  There's also the aptly-named 'Grand Perfection,' an extraordinarily full and well-formed Single Early.

Whatever you're looking for in your spring blooming bulbs, there's a very good chance that we've got it this year.  We're committed this year to bringing our customers more of the worry-free ease of bulb gardening than ever before this fall, and our new collection is definitely worth a look.

Hybrid and Species Tulips: What is the Difference?

Contrary to popular belief, Tulips are not native to Holland.  These beautiful bulbs actually come from the Middle East, from flowers that look somewhat different from the tulips that you are probably used to.  These Middle Eastern flowers are called Species Tulips or Wild Tulips.  Species Tulips are the stock from which those legendary Dutch breeders have been creating Hybrid Tulips, the plants you're most likely used to, for centuries.  Because of the huge variety of Hybrid Tulips that have been created over the years, there are far, far fewer types of Species Tulip available, especially commercially.

For many years it was extremely rare to see Species Tulips in Western gardens, but over the last few years they've started to become popular.  This is partly because of a general movement toward more "natural" plants, but mostly it is because Species Tulips are much closer to true perennials than Hybrid Tulips are.  Most Hybrids become less vigorous from year to year and usually need to be replaced after the second or third blooming season.  Species tulips, when planted in the right conditions, will thrive for several years.  Some will actually spread quite well in more Northern climates with just the right conditions.  Species Tulips prefer very well-drained, almost rocky soil and full sun.  They tend to bloom significantly earlier than their hybrid counterparts, and some varieties of Species Tulips produce multiple blooms on each stem. 

Hybrid Tulips, on the other hand, are typically much larger plants, producing larger and more well-formed blooms.  The bloom color of Hybrids is often more intense, and many gardeners prefer the broader selection that Hybrid Tulips offer.  Because there are so many more varieties of Hybrids available, gardeners are much more likely to find just the right specialized tulip for their garden.  While most Species Tulips bloom very early, planting a few different varieties of Hybrid Tulips can mean blooms spanning most of Spring.  Many of us also prefer the more ordered, clean look of the single blooms that Hybrid Tulips are known for.  Either way, both Hybrid and Species Tulips are beautiful, easy flowers to grow.  Just consider the particular needs of your garden when choosing your tulip bulbs this autumn.

Spring Daffodil and Tulip Care

One of the coolest things about most bulbs, especially Daffodil and species Tulip Bulbs, is that they tend to be very low-maintenance.  Sometimes, though, people forget just how low-maintenance they are and try to do too much with them.  Because we're in the South here in Greenwood, South Carolina, our Daffodils are pretty much done blooming around here.  With Tulips and Daffodils, what you do with the plants just after they bloom can make all the difference for next year's blooms, so here are a few tips for spring bulb care.

Cut the flowers off once they start to fade, before they start to produce seed.  You wouldn't do wrong to cut the flowers early enough to use them as decoration or as a gift (just cut the stem low).  This is so the plant uses the energy that it would use making seeds to build up its bulb, which means more, higher-quality blooms next year. 

Do not, however, cut any of the leaves off.  Those will spend the next several weeks producing food for the bulb.  Think of it like those leaves are next year's flowers.  The leaves may not be the most beautiful plants (I personally like them, but that may just be me), but cutting them early could very well kill the entire plant.  I had a neighbor whose son accidentally mowed a strip through his daffodil patch just before the leaves started to turn yellow.  The next year he had a nice path through the patch with not a bloom to be seen.  Let the leaves be until they turn completely yellow, which is the sign that they've produced enough food to sustain the bulb.

You can set annuals out among the plants to disguise the yellowing leaves.  However, choose something that requires very little watering, such as marigolds.  If you are watering plants above the bulbs through the summer, the ground will stay moist.  Tulip and Daffodil bulbs don't like very moist conditions, as they can rot or just weaken, meaning fewer good blooms next season.  The best way to deal with the unsightly yellowing leaves, though, is to choose a slightly out-of-the-way area for planting your Tulips and Daffodils.  This way the foliage will be less noticeable later in the season.  When the flowers are in bloom, though, they will do plenty to draw attention to themselves.

Keep in mind that this process may be somewhat different when growing hybrid Tulips.  While Hybrid Tulips have many advantages and are far more popular than species tulips, they do not survive from season to season as well as species Tulips do, and many gardeners grow them as annuals.  Cutting the flowers and letting the foliage yellow will maximize the second-year performance of hybrid tulips, but it is rare to get the same level of performance in the second flowering year from hybrids as in the first year, and generally need to be replaced within a few years of planting, especially in the South.

The Fall Planting Season Won't Last Forever

The fall season is quickly slipping away--as it gets colder, it will no longer be safe to ship some plant items to the cooler zones. Here in the south, we still have a few more weeks of good planting weather, and we should take advantage of it.

This is the perfect time for planting flower bulbs or wild flower seeds for next season, adding new shrubs or trees to your garden, and getting those roses into the ground. planting now will give all of your plants time to establish over the winter and really shine next spring. Fall reall is the best time for planting--it's cool, there are fewer pests, and your plants perform better in the spring.

Also, be sure to order your amaryllis for the holidays very soon. You want to give them about 6 weeks to bloom if you are going to decorate with them this holiday season. Live decorations are also great gifts--give an amaryllis today.

Amaryllis: Planting or Transplanting Outdoors

Amaryllis is hardy to USDA zone 7b. It prefers a warm temperature (70 degrees to 75 degrees F) for best growth. If you live in a warmer area, you may even want to buy Amaryllis bulbs specifically for your garden--you can usually get them anytime in the spring or fall.

Plant new bulbs outdoors in late September or early October for spring flowers. If you are transplanting an Amaryllis that was grown indoors over the holidays, be careful not to shock it. Gradually acclimate the indoor plants to brighter light by moving them to a porch or patio area for a few days before planting them in the garden.

Ideally, you should plant your Amaryllis where it gets bright sun early in the day and shade in the afternoon. Avoid placing the bulb where it will dry out excessively; i.e., areas exposed to wind and prolonged sunlight. If you plan on leaving your Amaryllis in the ground all year, add a good organic mulch for insulation, especially during the fall and winter months.

Caring For & Planting Iris Bulbs

It is best to plant irises before the end of September or October in warmer areas, giving them plenty of time to become established before winter. Most irises, except bearded irises, can be transplanted during the late summer and early fall. If you have irises from containers, they can be put in the ground in the spring.

Most iris, especially bearded iris, will need full sun for most of the day. In extreme heat, some shade in the afternoon is advised to keep flower colors from fading.

Most Irises love very moist to wet soil, but they may be prone to fungi and other moisture-loving pests. To prevent this you should plant your iris in an area with good air circulation to help prevent disease problems.

Reflowering Amaryllis

If you have saved your amaryllis bulbs from last year, and you are not sure how to make them bloom, dont worry, it's very easy.

At the end of the summer, start watering a little less as the plant enters dormancy. The plant will need to brought in before frost--it is a tropical and will be killed by the low temperature. You may want to dig the bulbs up and store them in a cool, dry place during dormancy, but it is OK to leave them in the container as long as they stay dry and cool (less than 60 degrees F). The bulbs will bud when they are ready to bloom again, if they have not done so by the end of the dormancy period, putting them in a warm sunny place and giving them a little water should bring them out. The bulb needs to be store for at least six weeks before coming out of dormancy, but some varieties may need a lot more time. You also want to allow your plant six to eight weeks to bloom after dormancy.

Given the proper care and timing, you should have a beautiful display through the holiday season. Nothing creates that cozy feel in your home like live decorations--the huge star-shaped amaryllis flowers will illuminate your holiday decor.

Planting Fall Bulbs for Spring Flowers

Fall is a great time for planing trees, wildflower seeds, and especially flower bulbs. Bulbs planted in the fall have more time to get adjusted which allows them to bloom earlier and stronger than bulbs planted in the spring. Just a remember a few super easy tips that will ensure success when planting in the fall.

Soil quality is very important, because soil that stays too wet will cause most bulbs to rot very quickly. Well-drained soil is best—amend dense clay soils with rich organic materials like peat, sphagnum, or compost. A near neutral to very slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is best for most bulbs.

Plant after the first frost, but don't wait too late. You want to allow your bulbs to start establishing a good root system before hard winter. Mail-order bulbs usually must be planted immediately. You may have to store nursery bulbs for a while, until planting time, because we all like to buy early to make sure we get the best bulbs.

Depth is crucial when planting bulbs, and always plant pointy end up. Plant them 3-4 times as deep as the height of the bulb—for larger bulbs, no more than about 8 inches up to about 3 inches for smaller bulbs. Add a complete slow-release fertilizer before replacing soil and, if conditions are dry, add plenty of water.