Gardening Tips

Dahlias

Spectacular, this is the word I would use to describe dahlias. They will give you wonderful cut flowers all summer up until the first frost. They originate from Mexico, Central and South America and were transported to Europe during the 16th century. This tuberous perennial has numerous varieties, rich with amazing colors. Some people are intimidated by the care that dahlias require, but I feel that any garden takes care. The flowers are so amazing with an incredible amount of variety whatever care they need is worth it.

Storage:

The tubers need to be stored in a cool, dry, and dark environment. The frost will turn them to mush; dig up the tuber before the frost comes. Dahlias can be stored in different materials: paper bags, peat moss, vermiculite, and many more. Find out what works for you, I use paper bags or recycled paper. Keep them dormant until the last frost has is over.

Growing Tips:

Plant the tubers after the last frost and in a full sun environment. Dahlias love their faces in the sun and will grow fast in the sun. Plant the tuber about 6″ into the soil and don’t worry too much about the direction the tuber is in. Dahlias will grow up towards the sun. Slugs, snail, and pests love to eat Dahlias sprinkle snail bait on the soil. When the Dahlias are growing make sure there is an adequate about of snail bait. I use “Slugo” because it is great if you have pets. Other wise you can use the hard core stuff. Keep them watered, but don’t over water. They can do well on less water, but will rot if over watered. Add fertilizers to the soil before you plant and keep the nitrogen level low. If you are going to stake them which is recommended do this before they grow. It is always great to establish the support before they get too big. Remove the finished blossoms throughout the season to ensure lots of blossoms.

Bergenia Cordifolia

Bergenia Cordifolia is a wonderful shade garden plant, because of its low height (2 feet max) it makes a wonderful boarder. Bergenia likes filtered sun and will flower through out the season. This perennial is an excellent addition to any garden. Bergenia Cordifolia is also know as Elephant’s ear and Pigsqueak the leaf is large about 7-8 inches across and 12-17 inches long. Bergenias are native to Siberia and can be grown in many different environments.
Growing Tips 

Bergenia is an evergreen that produces a lot of tubers for division. When one area fills up with the plants dig them up separate the tubers and spread them out.  It will grow quickly if it is well watered and if it is kept dry it will grow slowly . I like to keep them well watered (not over watered) so that I can divide it and spread it around my yard. The blossom is a dark pink to light pink and will bloom in late winter through summer. I can get mine to bloom most of the year, but I have found that they take a break through part of the winter. Its USDA zones are 4-7 and will thrive in a variety of soils. Bergenia prefers alkaline soils and will tolerate some acidic soil. It also likes heavy clay soil and can be divided in the Autumn.
Regional Tips 

Here in Santa Cruz, CA they will produce an abundance of flowers. My mom grows them in a heavy shade garden and they rarely produce flowers. When she comes to my garden she always wonders how I get mine to flower. We enjoy reminding her about the wonders of the sun. My bergenia is in a part shade garden, which is the best. Bergenia don’t like full sun and intense heat. I like to separate the tubers and use them to fill the bare spots in my yard.

Japanese Anemones (x hybrida)

This is the season for the wonderful perennial known as Japanese Anemones to flower. The long stocks of the flower shoot up to 4 feet tall. They do range in height from 2-4 feet with an incredible flower. They are not a cut flower, but make a wonderful back drop to any partial shade garden. They are one of the best plants for late summer and fall color with their brilliant flowers in colors of dark pinks, pale pinks, and white.

The Japanese Anemones x hybrida originated in China and was found in Japan in the 17th Century giving it its name. Three popular varieties were developed in the 19th Century: Honorine Jobert, Whirlwind, and Konigin Charlotte. These varieties produce the best of the colors and new varieties are gaining notoriety for their even richer color of dark pink and lilac. They are easy to grow and can be slightly evasive in your yard if you let them.
Japanese Anemones grow in sun/partial shade gardens. Grow them in the USDA zones 4 through 8. They work great under trees and as backdrops in the yard. They like to be protected by larger vegetation or by built structures. The leaf of the plant is around all year and is about 1 foot from the ground. It is a large soft petal from 2-5 inches wide. A stem grows from the ground and is tipped with a leaf. In the late summer the stocks of the flower grows from 2 to 5 feet tall. They are topped with multiple flowers and small leafs. The flowers petals are small 1 inch in diameter and there are 5 petals that are fanned out.

Growing Tips

• Sun/Partial shade
• Protected from sun and wind
• Well drained soil
• Keep watered but don’t over do it
• Acidic Soil ranging from 4.6-6.0
• Lime in the soil is recomended
• After two years the plant will produce and spread
• You can divide in the Winter and the Spring

Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea)

Foxglove or digitalis is a terrific addition to the shade garden. Foxgloves can handle very low light, but if there is a few hours of light exposure then the flowering spears will grow multiple off shoots. This perennial has a cluster of dark grey/green leaves at the base; the leaves are soft and furry to the touch. The flower spears start to grow in the early summer they can reach heights 2′ to 8′. The flower is tubular in shape and droop; the colors of the flower can vary from dark pinks to white. They like regular watering but don’t liked to be soaked. When the soil is allowed to dry slightly and then lightly moisten is the best. Let the flowers go to seed and allow for the nutrients to go back into the plant. Take parts of the spear and hang them upside down in a brown paper bag in a cool dry place. If you don’t want to store the seeds then when the flower stalk dies back take the seed pods and sprinkle them around your yard. It is a good idea to rake the area if you can.

Japanese Anemone (A. x hybrida)

Japanese anemones are a wonderful addition to a perennial garden; they are partial sun and shade plants. Once they are established they spread quickly and can take over. This perennial has dense dark green leaves; the stalk of the flower can grow from 2′ to 5′. The flowering season is from late summer through early fall. In some climates like the central coast of California the flower will bloom through the fall and into the early winter. The blossoms range in color from white to varieties of light and dark pink.