starting a flower garden - know nothing about flowers
Shelley Smith
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
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Okiedawn OK Zone 7
7 years agoRelated Discussions
I know nothing about bulbs!!
Comments (3)Bulbs are designed to last out over long, hot, dry seasons in a state of dormancy. Usually with a 'coat' of some kind. And with the next season's flowers/leaves already formed within. Think onions as well as garlic. Some plants that we call 'bulbs' aren't. Like Dahlias. They grow from a tuber, like a potato. And they are damaged by hard frosts - so they need to be dug up and protected over the winter. Or tuberous Begonias. Of the two - the begonias would be more likely to fit in with your gardening preferences. If you live with a climate that gives deep and hard freezing over winter, or very high temperatures over summer, then some bulbs or bulb types will have to be lifted and stored for added protection. Other times, you just want the spring-flowering bulbs' space for growing something else over the summer. So you lift the dormant bulbs and store them where they'll be out of the sun, in a cool and shady place, safe from rodents and insects. With good air circulation so they don't go mouldy. About those tulips you got. They don't do 'indoors' very well. Not for two season in a row. House temperatures can be a bit too warm for them to do their full 'grow cycle' in. Use the Search service to check. There's something about chilling requirements which are needed for continental growers. (Mine stay inground all year, so this step remains mysterious for me:-)) ) They can definitely regrow. However, they might not flower, or you might have to wait two years or so for it to happen. The tulip often produces 'daughter bulbs' (offsets/kiekie) and these have to grow to size - just as orchids do from back bulbs (Cymbidium, for example). If you are wanting to explore 'inside' or 'tropical' bulbs or bulb-types a bit more - you could look at Haemanthus albi-flos, or Clivia, or even Scadoxus (though it's a bit biggish). And those scoundrels of the bulb world - Hippeastrum, Vallota, Ismene....See MoreGardens are not always about pretty flowers
Comments (15)We have several berry producing shrubs and trees on our property. My dream is to see one of them full of cedar waxwings. They come through the area so I know it is a possibilty - you just have to be there to see it. Most of the berry bushes are on a 'blind' side of the house (no windows) so we actually need to be out in the yard. My husband and I have talked about putting a window on that side so we can observe the action. My long row of sunnies are on that side also so I miss the finches in them even tho I know they are there. Thank you all for participating in this thread. I love to read how others enjoy the birds, butterflies and critters. This has been such a disappointing summer color wise - the gardens are fried but it is encouraging to see the birds still enjoy it and to know that we are contributing to nature even if the flowers are not gorgeous to the eye :) ..... Lynne...See Moreshort herbaceous flowering plant with tiny pale blue flowers in garden
Comments (6)Thanks to both of you. So good to know. I quite like them. I am not too troubled by them showing up everywhere in my garden but I would not want to think that they are invasive and it would be a bit challenging to thoroughly remove the spent flowers though I could try. Across the road is a forested area and a path with tall wild plants like goldenrod and aster and beyond that a marsh. I don't want to do anything irresponsible. I understand they are short lived. Should I be concerned about them spreading to this natural area across the road?...See MoreOff topic: Corpse Flower about to bloom at NY Botanical Gardens
Comments (5)I do not believe they are classed as a succulent. They are from the Araceae family. Cheryl in Australia has them growing in the ground at their home. Quite something as they appear from the depths. Rick...See Morechrholme
7 years agoNancy RW (zone 7)
7 years agoNancy RW (zone 7)
7 years agoShelley Smith
7 years ago
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