Growing and Caring for the Bearded Iris


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Lesser Known Autumn Bulbs

By Brenda Hyde
We all love tulips, daffodils and crocus, but there are some charming bulbs that aren't as well known, but add just as much beauty to your spring garden!

-Scilla siberica (Squills)-These charming little flowers grow from 4-6 inches tall, and will grow in Zones 3-8. Plant them in sun or partial shade about 4 inches deep. They will bloom in early spring. Squills look like dainty little bells and work great in rock gardens, under trees or in your perennial beds. They are best planted in larger groups because they are so tiny.

-Fritillarias are a unique bulb, steeped in rich history back to the Greek times. The blooms are oddly colored and seem to be upside down or drooping. They should be handled carefully with gloves because they may cause a rash in some people. They also have a strange smell, which many people hate-I think for this reason you may want to put them in a back corner or an out of the way place. However, they are so unique don't skip them because of these quirks! The regular varieties such as crown imperial grow up to 24 inches tall. They like well drained but fertile soil, so prepare your bed well. Sun or light shade is fine-shade is better if you have hot temps in the spring.

-Allium-Yes, these really are flowering onions! They are unique and rodent resistant-always a good thing in my book. The flowers can be used for cutting or drying, and they come in various colors, shapes and sizes.You've probably seen the large purple balls in flower beds, but there are beautiful varieties with sprays of nodding flowers in pinks, purples and creams. Depending on the variety, they will grow in Zones 3-10 and will bloom in May through July. A good soil, well-drained, in full sun is the best location.

-Anemones Blanda-a small, daisy-like spring tuber in pinks, white and purples. In Zones 3 and 4 you can grow with a good mulching for protection. It does need protection in temps below about 23 degrees. Well drained soil with sun is the best location, but you can try afternoon sun only. They have fern like foliage and look best in clumps of 6 or more, spaced only about 2 inches apart. Because they are so tiny, try planting them near the house-somewhere you will be sure to see them in the spring-in front of evergreens in always good.

-Galanthus-know as the snowdrop, is such a charming plant It's the first to peek out of the snow and greet us in the spring! Plant in full sun to light shade in soil that is fairly moist-it can even be on the heavier side, unlike some bulbs require. Space the bulbs about 4 inches apart, and plant 4 inches deep. The average height is about 10 inches. They do spread, and grow in clumps, and do look better in groups. Again, under trees, or in front of evergreens is a good location.

About The Author

Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer living on ten acres in rural Michigan with her
husband and three kids. Stop by and visit her garden blog, Garden of Grace & Whimsy, and her photography blog, A Dance of Words & Photos.
 
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SeptemberLady
"Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.

My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."

Read more from this member or chat with all our friendly members in The Parlor!



Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling
Memorial Day signals the start of barbecue season. Everyone wants to light that fire and charcoal that first meal. A few tips might pre- vent your entree from becoming a "Burnt Offering."

Read these tips for plenty of grilling ideas, make this year's barbecue perfect!

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Growing and Using Garlic Chives
Garlic chives, Allium tuberosum, is a hardy perennial (Zones 3-9) that will grow to about 12 inches high. The stems are skinnier and flat, instead of hollow as are regular chives, with greenish white blooms that are about an inch wide and not as rounded. They bloom in the summer rather than spring. The bloom stalks grow much taller than the leaves, sometimes up to 30 inches.

The stems and blooms are both edible and have a mild garlic onion taste. I've noticed many writers will list this as primarily as an Asian herb, as they are also known as Chinese chives, Chinese leeks, ku chai (China) or Nira (Japan), but it has many other uses as well!

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The Perfect Porch Swing
Perhaps it is the soothing rhythm or the reassuring creak of the porch swing that attracts us. Perhaps it is the companionable silence or quiet conversation. Or maybe swings simply remind us of more genteel times.

Although porch swings can be purchased in a wide range of materials, the most common are wicker and wood. You can also make your own porch swing from one of the myriad of woodworking patterns available at garden centers, hardware stores, or on the Internet.

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