Just as I promised, the second garden in my 3X3 Garden Series is specially suited for all of you shade-dwellers! The wonderful warm color of apricot is one of my personal favorites in the garden as it catches the eye without over-powering everything else. While bright splashes of colors such as yellow and pink can make quite the statement, it’s sometimes almost too much to take in all at once. The hue of the apricot begonias in this collections give a subtle, more refined palette of color while the foliage of the caladiums adds a wonderful texture to the backdrop or center of a container. The three amazing plants in the following gardens are the Picotee Apricot and Scarlet Begonia, the Roseform Apricot Begonia, and the Red Ruffles Caladium. Let’s take a look at each of them briefly, shall we?:

Picotee Apricot and Scarlet Begonia (3) total tubers
In the world of flower blooms, the term “picotee” refers to a thin margin of a secondary color on the petals of the bloom. In the case of this begonia, a rich golden yellow-orange apricot petal is edged with a thin line of scarlet red. Subtle enough to not create a busy appearance, the petals almost appear to be glowing. Like most begonias, this one loves the shade and staying moist (although not wet) and grows approximately 8-14″ tall. The tubers should be planted just below the soil surface to avoid rotting issues. The main color of the petals complement the roseform begonia in this collection perfectly while the red margin help to echo the Red Ruffles Caladium.

Roseform Apricot Begonia (3) total tubers
Beautiful in every way, the Roseform Apricot Begonia could not be more perfect in this collection. The swirling appearance of the petals add a soft touch to the bold statement this gorgeous gem makes in the shade garden or container. (This is actually one of my favorite spring-planted bulbs and I’m not even usually a fan of begonias!) This one also grows 8-14″ tall which makes it perfect in front or around the taller-growing caladium. This shade-lover will add a true touch of elegance to your garden bed or planter.

Red Ruffles Caladium (3) total tubers
One of the newest members to the Caladium family, the foliage of the Red Ruffles caladium has a slight curl to its margins, giving it depth and dimension. The deep red centers fade into a green margin. This particular caladium resides in perfect harmony with the begonias as it is sits just above them in height (12-18″) and coordinates beautifully with its deep red and green leaves. Not only that, but this newly-developed variety has been bred for a tad more sun tolerance than other caladiums. Since this plant will provide some shade for the begonias in the following layouts, a partially-shaded location would be ideal for this charmer!

Garden Layout #1: Round Planter or Container

This is a wonderful combination for the small- to medium-sized pot in that partially shaded corner of your patio. I recommend using a pot at least 18″ in diameter (can be larger but may not look as full) for the amounts of plants in this collection. Place the (3) caladium bulbs in a triangular shape in the center of the pot, approximately 6-8″ apart and no more than 2″ below the soil surface. Then place the (6) begonia tubers, concave side up, in a circular pattern while alternating colors around these caladiums, approximately 4-6″ apart and 4-6″ away from the caladiums’ location. Try to leave at least 4″ between the center of the begonia tuber and the edge of the pot to give them room to grow. Feel free to fill in with your favorite shade-loving annuals of greens and oranges. Short-growing coleus would be an excellent choice!

Garden Layout #2: Circular or Tree Garden Bed

These particular plants work amazingly well when used in a tree ring or circular bed under a large structure as the shade the tree will provide is just what the doctor ordered for these guys! Start by placing your caladiums around the tree trunk (or structure) in the center, approximately 6-10″ apart. Obviously, you may have to provide more spacing depending on the diameter of the trunk at the base. Cover them with 1-2″ of well-drained soil. Then plant your begonia tubers (concave side up) in a circular pattern around the caladiums, leaving 6-8″ between each one and approximately 6″ between them and the caladiums. You will want to be sure to leave at least 3-4″ of open soil between the center of each begonia tuber and the edge of the bed to allow for them to fill in without hanging over onto the surround grass or paved surface.

Garden Layout #3: Rectangular Garden Bed

In this example, I am assuming that your garden bed is parallel to a taller “structure” of some kind, such as a fence, house, or even a line of tall shrubbery. If this is the case, you most definitely will want to place the caladiums (which are taller-growing) towards the back of the bed, approximately 8-10″ apart and no more than 2″ below the soil surface. If for some reason the bed is more “free-standing” and not along a structure place the caladiums down the center of the bed with the begonias around them, similar to the previous examples. The begonias will then be placed in a diagonal pattern (while again alternating colors) in front of these caladiums, approximately 6-8″ apart. As in the previous example (and always when planting begonias), do not cover these with much soil and be sure that the concave side of the begonia tuber is facing upward.

This completes my second 3×3 Garden! As with all of the gardens in my 3×3 Garden Series, this one is available at half-price on Holland Bulb Farms right here. Each purchase of the collection event comes with a full instruction sheet detailing each garden layout for easy reference when you are out planting in the garden. Be watching for next week’s 3×3 feature which focuses on two of my favorite things in the summer garden: dahlias and the color purple!!!

With hands in the dirt and head in the clouds,

Welcome to the first post in my 3X3 Garden Series!

Those of you with lots-o-sun and an eye for color are going to LOVE this combination! For my first “3×3 Garden”, I’ve chosen three plants that are sure to “light up” your garden spot or container. This trio consists of canna and calla lilies. These two types of plants go together as well as peanut butter goes with jelly, cookies with milk, and cheese with wine. Not only are they all in bloom approximately at the same time in mid-summer, they also complement each other in height and texture. The three amazing plants in the following gardens are the Lucifer Dwarf Canna, the Flame Calla Lily, and the California Gold Calla Lily. Allow me to introduce you to each of their great qualities:

Lucifer Dwarf Canna (4 total rhizomes)

A smaller version of its cousins (hence the name “dwarf”), the Lucifer is a perfect option for smaller scale areas as well as containers. It tops out at about 36″ tall and spreads as a normal canna would with lush foliage abounding. Its deep red petals are each edged with a thin margin of golden yellow. The rhizomes should be planted just under the soil surface as not to receive too much moisture. And yes, you guessed it, they LOVE direct, warm sun!

Flame Calla Lily (3 total rhizomes)

The Flame Calla is a perfect complement to the Lucifer Dwarf Canna both in its color and height. Its petals glow with a warm orange color, offering just small hints of yellow. As with most other garden-grown calla lilies, it grows approximately 10-16″ tall which makes it perfect for fitting around the Lucifer in a pot or in front of it in a garden. The rhizomes of calla lilies should be planted not much deeper than the cannas and, while they will tolerate a little more shade, are just as sun-loving.

California Gold Calla Lily (3 total rhizomes)

Again, a great partner for the Lucifer Canna! The brilliant golden yellow of the blooms on this 10-16″ tall calla really help to bring out the yellow on the petal margins of the Lucifer Canna. Like the Flame Calla, it fits perfectly in height next to the Lucifer and also adds a bit more of a finer texture to the garden and container.

So now that we’re familiar with these 3 fabulous plants, let’s look at how we can use them!

Garden Layout #1: Round Planter or Container

This is the perfect combination for that medium- to large-sized pot on your front step or back patio/deck. I recommend using a pot at least 24″ in diameter for the amount of plants in this collection. If the pot is standing in the open (not against a structure), place the (4) canna rhizomes in the center, leaving approx. 6-8″ between each. Be sure to just cover them each with soil and not plant too deep. If the container is located against a wall or other structure, you may want to place these taller-growing plants more toward the back of the container in the center. Then alternate the location of each of the (6) calla lily rhizomes so that the orange mixes with the yellow around the canna rhizomes. These should be spaced approx. 6″ apart. Once these are in place, feel free to fill in with your favorite yellow, orange, and red sun-loving annuals along the container margin or add some trailing plants to soften the edges of the container! *Note: Have two pots to mirror each other? Simply double the quantity of each bulbs and mirror the design in the second pot. Have 2 pots smaller than 24″ in diameter? Use only half in each!

Garden Layout #2: Mailbox/Lamppost/Statue Garden Bed

Obviously, the location of your “structure” may differ than the diagram I’ve provided, but this should give you the general idea. To soften the look of the post, plant the (4) canna rhizomes evenly spaced (approx. 10-12″ apart) around the base just under the soil surface. Then lay out the (6) callas, again alternating between colors in front of the cannas or all around them, depending on the location of the post, leaving at least 6″ between each one. These callas will look best if planted using a diagonal pattern rather than a straight line as shown in the diagram.

Garden Layout #3: Rectangular Garden Bed

This is a great application for beds which border more upright aspects of the landscape, such as the side of a house/shed or along a fence or tree line. You’ll want to place the canna rhizomes in the back, spacing them approximately 10-12″ apart. Then plant the callas, again alternating between colors, approximately 6-8″ apart in front of the cannas. Just as in the mailbox garden bed, I would recommend planting these more on a diagonal than in a straight line for a more natural, full look.

So there you have it! The first entry in my 3×3 Garden Series. Hopefully this helped to familiarize you with three spring-planted bulbs you may or may not have known much about before and also gave you some ideas on how you might use them in your landscape. Don’t have a lot of sun? Not to worry! The 3×3 Garden next week will be specially designed for you shade dwellers! Oh, and one more thing: for those of you who may be interested in trying this combo at your own home, Holland Bulb Farms has made it easy to do so! You can purchase this combination of plants for a specially discounted price in one easy click right here. Each garden combo I feature will be added in this category for easy access for all of my readers as each new post appears! Nice of them, isn’t it??

With hands in the dirt and head in the clouds,

With the New Year upon us, I’ve been thinking it’s time for a fresh, new idea for the Bulb Blog. Sure, there are a million and one gardening topics I could cover (and still intend to continue doing) but I like to keep things interesting, both for you as my readers and for myself as the writer!

In my search for a new idea, I came across a handful of other blogs which followed a pattern of some sort. That is, they published a post on a regular basis (weekly, monthly, etc.) with a continuing theme. One of these such themes is a common trend in style blogs and is called “The 30 x 30 Remix”. The idea behind this “fashion remix” is to take 30 different articles of clothing and/or accessories and challenge yourself to only use those 30 selected items in your wardrobe for the next 30 days. It really is quite an interesting concept as it forces a person to think outside of the box and use the items in his or her closet on a more frequent basis resulting in a more creative look and a smaller shopping budget.

I began to think about how this could apply to the gardening world. As all of us gardeners look toward spring and begin dreaming of what we’ll plant once the ground thaws, would it be possible for me to take 30 different plants and arrange them in 30 different ways? I wondered. While the answer was yes, it was possible, I decided it really wasn’t all that practical. After all, if a gardener purchases 30 different plants, he or she will most likely only arrange and plant them once. As you all know, a plant or bulb is not like a piece of clothing in that it cannot be reused (or re-planted) day after day. However, a bulb or plant is not unlike your favorite scarf or sweater in that it can be adjusted or combined with other articles of clothing (or plants) to suit that day’s (or garden’s) specific need! Therefore, the idea of the “3×3 Garden Series” was born.

Here’s how it will work: starting next week Friday (January 20th) and running until the last week of April, I will post a weekly blog highlighting 3 different amazing plants or bulbs currently trending in the spring-planted gardening community. These plants may be tall, short, sun-loving, shade-loving…however, the three which I highlight will all be compatible with one another, meaning they will complement each other in height, bloomtime, and bloom color, as well as sunlight and space requirements. I am then challenging myself to come up with 3 different layouts which uses the same number of each of these plants! In doing so, I am hoping to expand your possibilities in your landscape no matter what shape or type of garden you have! And the best part: Each one of these gardens will be available as a “trio collection” from Holland Bulb Farms for purchase at a discounted price  to make your shopping easy easy easy!

So…

3 different plants each week…

3 different layouts for those plants each week…

16 total weeks in my 3×3 Garden Series…

48 total plants used in 48 different layouts!

Here’s to hoping these next 16 weeks fill you with imagination and inspiration for your garden!

With hands in the dirt and head in the clouds,

One of the most popular questions asked by beginners to bulb gardening is, “How do I know which end of the bulb to plant up?”  While the answer to this question can vary based on the type of bulb, generally speaking, the pointed end of the bulb should be planted up (such as with a tulip, daffodil, or hyacinth). Also, if a bulb is smaller than the size of a nickel, there really isn’t a top and bottom.

The good news is that bulbs are quite smart and they’ll figure out which direction to grow, regardless of how they are planted! If a bulb is planted upside down, it will simply take an extra day or two to reach the surface. If after deliberating over which end is the top and you still can’t tell, plant the bulb on its side. Once again, the bulb is smart enough to know which way to grow and will now only have to travel half the distance to the surface.

A few bulbs, especially some of those bulbs planted in spring, have a more definite answer to the question. For instance, begonia tubers have a concave and convex side. In this case, the “hollow” side of tuber should be planted down and the “rounded” side up. Other tuberous spring planted bulbs such as cannas and callas grow long and narrow. These should be planted horizontally 1″ or 2″ below the ground’s surface.

The smooth side of the Elephant Ear bulb is the top and should planted up.

Perhaps one of the most confusing bulbs to know which direction to plant is the Elephant Ear. As those of you who have previously planted one know, an Elephant Ear bulb is very round and has no definite “points”. However, most of these bulbs will have a smooth side as well as a side that contains more bumps and maybe even a few root hairs from the previous growing season. The smooth side of the Elephant Ear is typically the top and should be planted up. Chances

The bumpy side of the Elephant Ear bulb is the bottom and should be planted down.

are, the bumpy side with some possible hairs is slightly flatter than the smooth top side. This is the bottom. Like all bulbs, an Elephant Ear will know which way to grow regardless of how it is planted. When in doubt, plant it on its side! See pictures below for more clarification.

Spring is definitely here and gardeners everywhere are rejoicing! So get out in the garden and get to work! It’ll make you feel good

Easter blessings,

Have a question about which way to plant your bulbs 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 coupon for your next order with Holland Bulb Farms!

Lilies are one of the only winter hardy spring planted bulbs and are also extremely gorgeous!

I’ve gotten several questions regarding tulips and daffodils from novice gardeners, wondering if they’re “too late” to plant these bulbs. My answer to these good-intentioned diggers in the dirt is yes. Unfortunately, these fall-planted bulbs need to be planted at the proper time in order to bloom correctly in the spring. This is why some of you may be having a difficult time finding these types of bulbs (daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, crocus, iris, and allium to name a few).

But do not despair! You can still jump on the bulb bandwagon! Did you know that there are actually bulbs which are meant to be planted in the springtime

The 'Postman Joyner' Caladium has striking red centers to its leaves.

for a summer bloom? Many people have heard of dahlias, canna lilies, calla lilies, and gladiolus, but not as many have grown them. These bulbs add great spalshes of color to your gardens long into the growing season and most of them make GREAT CUTFLOWERS! What could be better than going out into your own garden on a summer day and picking yourself a bouquet of fresh flowers which you grew yourself!

Since these bulbs are much less familiar than tulips, daffodils, and hyacinth, I thought I’d give you a quick overview of the types available and how they are grown:

• Caladiums - Caladiums are wonderfully textured plants, grown primarily for their foliage. The leaves of this particular plant range in color from white to pink to red to different hues of green. These bulbs are sold as tubers and are planted just below the ground surface in partial to full shade areas. They will begin growing the same year they are planted and will put on their amazing foliage display from summer until frost. Caladiums are hardy from Zones 9 to 11. Many gardeners in more northern zones still grow Caladiums; they are either treated as an annual or are dug up in fall and replanted in spring.

• Calla Lilies – Calla Lilies are one of the most popular flowers for fresh flower arrangements and are often seen at weddings. Their elegant shape and varying heights make them
  

  Calla Lilies make an elegant statement in the garden!

  a nice addition to the garden. These bulbs are sold as tuberous rhizomes and are to be planted just below the soil surface in full to partial sun areas. They will begin to grow and bloom the first year in mid-summer. Calla Lilies are hardy from Zones 8-10 and Zone 7 with winter protection. Calla Lilies can be grown in northern zones as annuals or dug up in fall to overwinter in a cool, dry place.

• Canna Lilies - Canna Lilies are grown for their great height, colorful flowers, and showy foliage. These lilies add a tropical feel to any landscape which make them nice for plantings near a patio and/or pool. These bulbs are sold as rhizomes and are planted just below the soil surface in areas receiving full sun. They will begin to grow and bloom the first year in mid-summer.  Canna Lilies are hardy in Zones 8-11, need protection in Zone 7, and are treated as annuals or dug up in fall for Zones 4-6.

• Dahlias – There are literally thousands of Dahlias available in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colors. This very popular plant produces beautiful, brightly-colored flowers and are sold as tubers. They are planted approx. 3-4″ below the ground’s surface (depending on the size of the bulb) in partial to full sun areas. They will begin to grow and bloom the first year in late summer and stay in bloom until frost.  Dahlias are hardy from Zones 8-10, need protection in Zone 7, and are treated as annuals or dug up in fall in Zones 4-6.
  

  These pink dahlias are some of my favorites!

• Gladiolus – Gladiolus are very common in formal floral arrangements and are easy-to-grow, summer-blooming plants which are sold as corms. They are planted approx. 3-4″ below the ground’s surface (depending on the size of the bulb) in full sun areas. They will begin to grow and bloom the first year in late summer. Gladiolus are hardy in Zones 8-10 and Zone 7 with winter protection. Gladiolus can also be grown in northern zones up to Zone 4 if they are treated as annuals or dug for overwintering in the fall.
  

  Gladiolus are commonly used in cut flower arrangements for their great color and form.

• Asiatic/Oriental Lilies – Asiatic and Oriental Lilies are wonderful additions to any cut flower garden and are extremely easy to grow. Sold as a bulb, these lily bulbs should be planted approx. 6-8″ below the ground’s surface (depending on the size of the bulb) in full sun area. They will begin to grow and bloom the first year in mid summer. Asiatic and Oriental Lilies are both winter hardy and therefore can be grown in Zones 3-9 with no fear of winter weather.

So don’t feel like it’s too late to try your green, or not so green, thumb at planting some bulbs! Come summertime, you’ll be very glad you did!

Until next time,

Have a question for Bridget about spring planted bulbs? Send your question to bridget@bulbblog.com! If Bridget features your question on the Bulb Blog, you’ll recieve a $5.00 coupon for your next order at www.hollandbulbfarms.com!