The first tiny bloom peeping through the ice and snow proves that winter’s strength is broken, that the earth is warming, and that spring is near. Often, in my West Virginia little bulb garden, Iris Danfordiae is the first to proclaim the joyful news of spring. This rich-yellow elfin iris sometimes appears as early as … Read more
Spring-flowering bulbs you plant this fall burst into bloom next spring because food needed for flower development is contained in the bulbs at the time you plant them. For flowers in the second and succeeding springs, you must see at planting time that the soil contains nutrients that the plants can use to replenish the … Read more
Since they were first introduced, tulips have been singled out as spring guests that should linger longer. Tulip Festival The tulip festival usually lasts from early April until late May, but through the work of plant explorers and hybridizes, earlier and later varieties have come forth. It is now possible to have tulips at the … Read more
Although a few experienced gardeners will deny that the best cultural code for hardy chrysanthemums says to start them in the spring, right where you want them to flower, there is no turning back the popular trend toward fall planting of blooming specimens. This trend was made possible to an increasing degree by improved varieties, … Read more
One of the trends in gardening is to do more and more planting in autumn. For many gardeners who habitually bite off more than they can chew in the springtime, fall planting is a lifesaver. The transplanting and dividing you can do, and the new plants you can put in now, will save that much … Read more
Since October is the last frost-free month throughout the southwest area, there are many chores to be done. It is the culmination of the growing season with gorgeous displays of Oklahoma chrysanthemums and the last fling of the summer bulbs and annuals. Chrysanthemums Early varieties are fading and the mid-season ones are at peak bloom in … Read more
Man has always been impressed by the large and showy—and fallen in love with the small and charming. The stately lily may receive much admiration, but it is the tiny hoop-petticoat daffodil that brings him to his knees. Elegant Tree Peonies The “butter man” may ignore the elegant tree peonies in our yard but be … Read more
Lilies are members of the Lilium genus. What could be a more straightforward answer to the question posed by the title than that? But within that simple description is a wealth of possibilities. Divisions typically distinguish lilies. Here are a few examples: Division I contains the Asiatic hybrids. The flowers face upward and have no … Read more
Trumpet lilies announce themselves with bursts of color. Though given an entire division (Division 6 in the official catalog), these are not ‘purebred’ lilies but a hybrid derived from Asiatics. Nevertheless, they are worthy not only of a division but of all the attention they get. The name comes from their shape, which has the … Read more
After growing in the ground for 3 – 5 years flowering Iris plants need dividing. This will keep plants healthy and blooming. Below we share 8 steps on diving and replanting Iris clumps. 1. Select the clump you wish to divide and replant and cut the foliage down to a height of 6” to 8” … Read more