Steps to Growing a Successful Daffodil
Blazing Starlet
Preparation
Planting flower bulbs is easy, but before getting started consider their location in the garden. Flower bulbs perform best in partial shade to full sun locations. Plant flower bulbs directly into the ground in garden beds, borders, under fruit trees, roses, or other areas which can benefit from spring color. Flower bulbs can also be planted in window boxes and containers.
Planting time is in the fall when soil temperatures fall below 60° F, usually from early October to November.
The most important feature of a planting location is drainage. Flower bulbs perform best in well-draining soils. Planted bulbs need moisture to root out properly, but if your soil is poorly draining or soggy during the winter months the bulbs will rot and not perform properly. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with peat, mulch, and sand. Loosen the soil thoroughly before planting so roots have space to develop and grow. If you are planting flower bulbs in containers, ensure they have proper drainage holes.
Flower bulbs provide the most impactful garden displays when planted in odd numbers. For bold splashes of color plant bulbs in clusters rather than in single rows.
Dig holes 6” deep and 6” apart. Drop the bulbs in the holes pointy side up. Cover the holes with soil. There is no need to fertilize flower bulbs at the time of planting. Once the bulbs are planted water the ground thoroughly. In very cold climates, add a 2-3” layer of mulch on top of the soil where flowers bulbs are planted to provide extra protection.
Your planting efforts are now complete, and it’s time to let the flower bulbs do their own work.
Mary Gay Lirette
Aftercare
In the spring once the bulbs have finished blooming remove the spend blooms and allow the foliage to continue to grow and generate food for blooms next spring. Trim foliage to the ground level once it has turned yellow or brown.
Apricot Whirl
Additional Tips
Not ready to plant yet? Store flower bulbs in a cool, dry, well ventilated area away from ripening fruit such as apples, pears, and bananas. Ripening fruit releases ethylene, a non-toxic gas that damages the dormant flower bud inside the bulb. If this should happen, the result will be a lot of foliage in the spring, but no blooms. Bulbs will produce blooms the following spring instead.
In warmer climates, where the soil temperature doesn’t drop below 60° F, flower bulbs require a “cold treatment” period to grow to their proper height and bloom size. Use a fridge, or a climate controlled room (40-50° F) that is not used for fruit storage. Fruit releases ethylene, which is a non-toxic gas that damages the dormant flower bud inside the bulb, resulting in only foliage with no blooms. Let bulbs cool for at least 12 weeks and no more than 16 weeks. Once the cooling period is complete, you’re ready for planting.
Narcissus make a wonderful cut flower and picking them right from the garden is actually good for the bulbs. Simply pinch off the flower at ground level, leaving the long strappy foliage behind.
Narcissus bulbs contain calcium oxalate crystals which are razor sharp to grazing animals such as deer and rabbits, who tend to leave these bulbs alone.
Steps to Growing a Successful Rose
Preparation
Immediately unpack roses upon arrival. Trim the roots. Trim off half an inch of the root tips. Soak. It’s important to keep the roses moist. Immerse the whole plant overnight in water, this will rehydrate the rose before planting.
Planting
Choose a sunny spot. Roses need at least 6 hours of sun a day. Choose a spot with sun and where air can circulate, drying leaves after a rain fall. Dig a hole. The hole should wide enough so the rose can go in without its roots bent. It’s important to not go too deep, the graft (the bulge where the root meets the stock holding the canes) should be planted at ground level and just below for colder climates. Plant. Create a small mound to go under the rose. Place the rose into the hole on top of the mound and drape the roots around it. Fill in the hole. Carefully place soil on top of the roots and partially fill the rest of the hole. Add water to settle the soil around the roots and then add the rest of the soil.
Water thoroughly after the rose is fully planted. You can add mulch around the base but keep it at least 4 inches from the canes. Continue Watering. You are done the “hard” part but hydration is key to a successful rose. Continue to ensure your rose is well watered, if it’s rain or you with a hose, your rose will thank you! Your rose will start breaking dormancy now and new foliage will start got grow. Enjoy the color, elegance and the fragrance.
Additional Tips
If planting into containers use at least a 3 gallons size, be sure there is good drainage in the bottom. The roses will dry out quicker so it’s helpful to have a watering schedule.
For soil we recommend a mixture of 50% loamy soil, 25% growers mix and 25% composted manure, add sand if your soil does not drain well.
Varieties
| Double Delights | The most popular new variety of the last 30 years. This prolific bloomer produces mases of strong spicy scented blooms. |
| Fragrant Cloud | This vigorous bushy plants will reward you with loads of deep coral-orange blooms drenched in a sweet and spicy fragrance. |
| John F Kennedy | A tribute to the popular President, the pure white blooms with a sweet licorice scent. |
| Mister Lincoln | A historic American milestone in red roses that’s still hard to beat. The large rich red blooms have a velvety quality. The powerful damask rose fragrance is a scent to be enjoyed all summer. Vigorous, tall and proud with long stems & dark green leaves. |
