Katy Lifestyles and Homes magazine Aug 2009: Unassuming Brown Blobs Become Jewels of the Summer Garden

Eremurus bloom—Eremurus is a winter-hardy perennial planted in fall, not a tender bulb planted in spring as are most of summer bulbs. Eremurus is a 4 to 5 foot tall spiky plant commonly called Foxtail lily for the way sunlight catches in the small florets thickly clustered along its upper third. These bushy tails extend upright in the summer garden and landscape, with all the dignity and grace of their namesake ’s red-hued plume. v Eremurus bulbs are odd-looking tuberous roots with six, 10 or more fat finger-tubers arrayed like long spokes on a wheel.

ome of summer’s fanciest flowers start the season as unassuming brown blobs. These homeliest of plant structures are bulbs, roots, rhizomes, tubers and corms. Their transformation from odd-shaped lumps to exquisite flowers is an ugly duckling tale for the garden.

Among the best-known summer bulb plants are lilies, callas, begonias, gladioli, dahlias, tuberose, pineapple lilies, caladiums,

elephant ears, cannas and more. Some are known for their flowers, others for their exotic foliage. All are considered jewels of the summer garden for the roles they play all season long.

Take a look at some of summer’s best-loved bulb flowers and the various odd-looking blobs that produce them. All are available in spring and summer from garden retailers for planting as bare bulbs or as potted bedding plants.

Canna bloom—Totally tropical-looking cannas are natural vertical accents. Tall and broad-leaved, cannas excel in the garden and as “anchors” in mixed container plantings. They mix nicely with a broad roster of partners, from coleus to petunias, lantana, sweet potato vines and straw flowers. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Dwarf (18 inches to 3 feet) and tall (3 to 12 feet) versions are available, with flamboyant leaves in shades of green, brown, burgundy, black and multicolored stripes. v Calla bloom—Calla (Zantedeschia)—These fabulous summer bloomers were once available primarily in white or pink. Today they also come in red, orange, yellow, rust, lavender, pale green, gold and near-black. Their sophisticated funnel-shaped flowers and pleasing leaves are surprisingly long-lasting. Callas grow best in full sun or partial shade. v Calla bulbs are rhizomes from which come sophisticated funnel-shaped velvety flowers and exotic long-lasting leaves.

Begonia—a tuber that produces brilliantly-colored flowers on low-growing plants that thrive in deep shade or filtered sunlight. Begonia flowers are so lush and heavy, they seem to nod languorously in the summer garden.

Calla—a rhizome from which come sophisticated funnel-shaped velvety flowers and exotic long-lasting leaves. Callas are officially known as Zantedeschia. Grow them in full sun or partial shade.

Canna—a rhizome that sends forth towering big-leaved plants known for their statuesque form and flamboyant flowers. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Great in the garden, containers or landscape plantings. Excellent as vertical accents and screening.

Dahlia—a tuber that produces varieties of so many different types, shapes, looks and colors that the array seems endless. Late summer and fall is dahlia season in the garden. They ’re stars of the cutting garden, too; the more you cut them, the more they bloom. Dahlias thrive in full sun.

Eremurus—this tuberous root is one of the oddest-looking for sure with six, 10 or more fat finger-tubers arrayed like long spokes on a wheel. This is a winter-hardy perennial planted in fall, not a tender bulb planted in spring as are most summer bulbs. Eremurus is a 4 to 5 foot tall spiky plant commonly called Foxtail lily for the way sunlight catches in the small florets thickly clustered along its upper third. These bushy tails extend upright in the summer garden and landscape, with all the dignity and grace of their namesake ’s red-hued plume.

Gladiolus—a corm that’s cute, round and tidy, with just the right amount of heft so it feels substantial. Gladiolus plants are spear-like in bearing with flamboyant flowers that climb the tall stem in alternating steps. These old-fashioned charmers are back in style, newly-admired for their vivid colors and orchid-like flowers. Perfect in the vase, glads are also excellent in the garden, especially when planted amidst other taller sturdy plants that help to hold them upright.

Lily—a bulb with fleshy overlapping scales is parent to this aristocrat of the summer garden. Lilies are unusual, being summer-blooming, winter-hardy perennials that can be planted either in fall or in spring. Their beauty is legendary. Throughout history, lilies have played symbolic roles in religion, art and literature. When the lilies bloom, other summer flowers become supporting actors. Lilies perform best in full sun and partial shade.

Great Choices for Dry Areas

Bulb flowers of all kinds are generally excellent choices to plant in areas where water supply is a problem. Bulbs are designed by nature as survivors. Unlike other perennials, bulbs (including corms, tubers, rhizomes and other bulbous plants) have built in storage systems for food and moisture. That ’s why they’re so plump. They’re full of special tissues that store starches, sugars and moisture to help the bulb flower get through tough times.

In fact, more bulb plants are killed by over watering than by drought. While bulbs benefit from a moderate water regimen to perform at their peak, the only time it is absolutely essential to water bulbs is immediately after planting to help prompt root system development. Once the roots are established, bulbs can be counted on as some of the toughest, and loveliest plants in the garden.

Content from the Netherlands Flower Bulb Center, www.bulb.com.