So last week I mentioned that I was looking forward to this particular “3×3 Garden” as it contains two of my most favorite things in the summer garden: dahlias and the color purple! So if you’re like me and have a “passion for purple”, then this combination might be just what you and your partial to full sun spot need! This is also a great trio for those of you who share my love for enjoying fresh flowers in the house as all three of these charmers make excellent cut flowers. The vibrancy of the purple dahlias are a perfect complement to the striking pinks of the smaller plants in this trio. The three amazing plants in the following garden layouts are the Lipstick Calla Lily, the Jan Van Schaeffelaar Pompon Dahlia, and the Purple Gem Cactus Dahlia.

Lipstick Calla Lily (9 total corms)

The color of this little beauty couldn’t be more perfect in this combination, nor could the name be more fitting. Truly reminiscent of a classic pink lipstick color, these callas lilies have a gorgeous, almost honeysuckle color to them with a noticeable yellow stamen in the center of each. Topping out at just 16″ tall, these border-type plants fit nicely around and underneath the larger foliage of the dahlias. Like the other plants in this grouping, this one can handle a little bit of shade so a partially sunny location is ideal.

Jan Van Schaeffelaar Pompon Dahlia (6 total tubers)

The bright pink color and tightly-growing petals of the Jan Van Schaeffelaar Pompon Dahlia are two delightful qualities of this plant. This has got to be one of my favorite dahlias (despite the dreadfully long name ). I just love the round blooms it produces and feels it adds a very cheery touch to this garden combination. This one grows 24-36″ tall on extremely sturdy stems which makes it great for cutting and planting in containers.

Purple Gem Cactus Dahlia (3 total tubers)

Texture. Texture. Texture! That’s what this plant’s role is all about in this trio. The rounded edges of the calla lily and pompon dahlia’s petals create a very subdued, relaxed feeling when all of a sudden Kazam!… the radiating, vibrant purple petals of the cactus dahlia stick straight out from the center and make a statement. Sometimes growing as tall as 60″, the Purple Gem Dahlia craves attention as it stands above the rest and puts on a show. Again, great for cutting and handling small amounts of shade, there is sure to be an application for this beauty in your yard.

Garden Layout #1: Circular Garden Bed or Round Container

The tall height of the Cactus Dahlia make them an excellent focal point in a circular-shaped garden area. Begin by placing the (3) Purple Gem Dahlia tubers in the center of the bed in a triangular-shaped pattern, approximately 12-18″ apart leaving them enough room for the lush foliage which grows towards the base of the dahlia plant. Leave approximately 12″ of soil between them and the next dahlias, placing the (6) Pink Pompon Dahlias around them in a circle, also leaving 12″ or so between each. Finish off the layout by placing the (9) Lipstick Calla corms around the dahlias to form a border, leaving 6-8″ of space between each. This should cover a circular bed which is at least 60-72″ in diameter.

Garden Layout #2: Rectangular Garden Bed

This layout would be perfect for planting along a  straight-walled structure as the towering habit of the Purple Gem Dahlias makes an excellent screen or cover to break up a boring wall or fence. Place the Purple Gems towards the back and center of the bed, arranging them in a stretched obtuse triangle pattern as shown in the diagram, leaving approximately 18″ between each. Then place the Pompon Dahlias slightly in front of but also among the Purple Gems in two groups of three, spacing them at about 12″. The (9) Lipstick Callas should then be used to form a border of sorts in front of the dahlias, spacing them 6-8″ apart in a diagonal pattern.

Garden Layout #3: Half Circle Garden Bed

Since these bulbs don’t need a full day of direct sunlight, they can work perfect in a partially shaded bed under a light-filtering tree or other structure. Place the (3) Purple Gem Cactus dahlia around the base of the tree, again leaving 12-18″ of space between them. Continue by planting the pompon dahlias again in two separate “triangle” shapes among the large cactus dahlias. Finish the bed off by filling in the rest of the area, placing the calla corms in a diagonal pattern along the border.

Ah yes. These combinations are truly my favorites. This trio collection is also available for 50% off from Holland Bulb Farms which will make it easy for you to try in your own garden! Click here and check it out! Next week’s trio contains some of the best-loved perennials…great for those of us in the colder climates!

With hands in the dirt and head in the clouds,

So the weather is starting to get warmer and we are all ready for the summer months that are in the not-too-distant future, right? And I realize that fall may be the last thing you want to think about. However, in order to have a beautiful spring garden of tulips, daffodils, crocus, allium, and hyacinth, you need to start thinking about what you’re going to plant in fall NOW! After all, once the time to plant these bulbs come around, the blooms will be long gone and furthest from your mind. So why not select your bulbs for fall now!

A mixture of textures (such as daffodils and tulips) can make for professional looking floral arrangements.

The majority of gardeners plan their garden around one sole purpose: they want to have a yard that’s in bloom for a long time that looks great year round. While this is a very logical goal, you can get more out of your garden if you consider another factor when planning for the colors and types of flowers your garden will include: cutflowers! Who wouldn’t love to have a vase (or maybe two or three) of fresh cutflowers in their house at all times? Now think about how even more lovely it would be if they were flowers which you had grown yourself in your own yard!

If you’re somewhat of an experienced gardener, you probably already plan your garden so that the bloom time is spread out over as long of a period of time as possible, correct? But what about taking into consideration plants and flowers that can be used for cutting over a long period of time? By paying special attention to colors and textures that will look good in a vase together that are also in bloom at the same time, you can also lengthen the period of time you can enjoy these fresh cut flowers in your home!

Two tips when cutting flowers out of the garden: First, be sure to take flowers from various places within your yard…you should not even be able to notice any

Why not plan your garden for gorgerous bouquets?

are missing once you’re done And secondly, always try to cut back to another node or bud (the place where the next leaf comes out of the stem) or to the ground.  By doing so, you will help to disguise the stems which have been cut and still give your garden a “natural” look.

So go out today and bring a piece of your garden indoors!

Until next time,

Have a question about which bulbs work best for cutflowers or any other gardening topic? Ask Bridget! Email her at bridget@bulbblog.com! If she features your question in a future post, you’ll receive a Holland Bulb Farms coupon for your next order with Holland Bulb Farms!

Surprise her this year with a unique bouquet!

“Think staying power when choosing flowers,” advises Sally Ferguson, the director of the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center.  “For long-lasting flowers, choose tight buds just beginning to open.  Fully-open flowers are short-hitters,” says Ferguson whose website, bulb.com, offers these and other cut flower tips.

More flowers are sold on Valentine’s Day than any other U.S. holiday and, not surprisingly, men are the major buyers. 

 “Roses are the most commonly-given Valentine’s flowers, but tulips are closing in as a creative alternative,” says Ferguson.  “Last Valentine’s season, one major national floral retailer alone reported delivering three million roses and nearly one million tulips for the holiday,” she said. Ferguson says, with either of these favorites, the most important thing is to buy buds that are fresh and gift-worthy. Why not go out on a limb and try buying her some Calla Lilies this year? Score extra points if you buy the flower that adorned her wedding bouquet!  Here are some tips to picking the perfect flower:

Classic white calla lilies cut in a vase.

Non-Traditionalist:  Picking Perfect Calla Lilies

• Petals that spring back when touched
• Straight stems (try either classically long for formal vases or stylishly short for low vases)
• Monochromatic (all one color) generally preferred
• Deliver promptly – need water quickly and don’t respond to sitting all day in a box, unless kept cool

• Use cut flower food provided by florist 

  Uncoventional: Choosing Perfect Tulips

• Look for tight buds with some color showing
• Red, Pink, Apricot, and bi-colors dominate for Valentine’s Day
• Monochromatic looks are stylish or pick several for a more fun, flirty touch
• Skip flower food; tulips tend to like plain, cool water — top vase off daily
• Consider potted tulips instead of cut for an unusual gift that will be a lasting treasure!  

Tulips are a great alternative to the over-used rose bouquets!

 After all, you can’t really go wrong with flowers. Says Ferguson, “Candy is fattening, lingerie risky, but flowers are almost always sure to please.”  For longer vase life for all flowers, she adds: re-trim stem tips before arranging, remove leaves below the water line to keep water fresh, and place vases away from sun and heat.  For additional cut flower tips, visit bulb.com.

 Want to REALLY impress her next year? Why not try planting and growing your own spring or fall bulbs for cutflowers! What could be more personal than giving the love of your life flowers which you grew yourself?!