Bulb-planting season is not over
Q. I would like to plant summer bulbs. Please tell me the names of some and what I must do to grow them.
A. Summer bulbs include some of the plant world's loveliest flowers: lilies, gladiolas, dahlias, alliums, liatris ("prairie blazing star"), aesclepias ("milkweed"), canna lilies, and hedychium ("butterfly ginger"). Some are plants grown primarily for their colorful and dramatic foliage: caladium, and colocasia ("elephant ears").
Each of these plants has its own requirements for sun or shade, soil preference, water needs and fertilizer. Many are annuals with a one-year life span; in our climate, these plants will bloom again only if the bulbs are dug up and moved to a protected indoor environment. Others are hardy native perennials that readily overwinter here.
Growing summer bulbs successfully means starting with soil that is well-amended with compost, leaves or manure so it drains well and contains nutrients and microbial life. Also, "location, location, location" is as important here as it is in real estate: a sun-loving plant will not thrive in the shade and a shade plant will wither in summer's hot sun.
Some knowledge of a plant's origin is an important guide to its preferences: native prairie plants that attract bees and butterflies (milkweed and liatris) will easily survive the winter but tropical (canna and colocasia) or warmer climate plants (dahlias and gladiolas) will need extra care. Here are some further guidelines:
• Lilies: Full sun. Staking may be required for taller members of this group. Prominent, colorful flowers bloom anywhere from late spring to early fall.
• Gladiolas: Full sun is a must. Plant deeply (8 to 10 inches) to keep the tall stems from falling over. They bloom in early summer to late fall.
• Dahlias: Full sun to light shade. Good in containers or in the ground. They're prolific bloomers if spent blossoms are removed. They bloom early summer to early fall until frost.
• Alliums: Full to part-sun. Globe-like flowers on tall stems bloom June to August.
• Liatris: A hardy native with purple bottle brush-like spikes that attract pollinators. Early to midsummer bloom.
• Aesclepias: A hardy native with bright orange flowers on 2- to 3-foot stems. They attract pollinators and bloom early to midsummer.
Four summer bulbs that may be planted in the soil also make great water garden plants: Caladium, colocasia, canna lilies and hedychium. They provide drama and interest to the garden. Weekly applications of plant food sustain them in their watery habitat. They bloom midsummer to frost.
- Arlene Swartzman
• Provided by Master Gardeners through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines, and University of Illinois Extension, North Cook Branch Office, Arlington Heights. Call (847) 298-3502 Monday, Wednesday and Saturday or (847) 201-4176, ext. 14, on Fridays.