Plant of the Week: Amaryllis

Photo courtesy of iBulb

Amaryllis, Hippeastrum, have incredibly large, beautiful, dramatic blooms atop long, slender, hollow stems. The gorgeous blooms are great to use in cut-flower arrangements when creating a holiday centerpiece, though the plant itself is decoration enough. 

Photo courtesy of iBulb

 For stunning winter color in your home throughout the holiday season, plant amaryllis bulbs from October until the end of April. Given proper treatment, they will continue to bloom for several years. Of all the flowering bulbs, the amaryllis is one of the easiest to bring to bloom

Longwood Gardens Conservatory

QUICK FACTS:

Originated in South America’s tropical regions

Amaryllis means “sparkling” and refers to the attractive bloom

Flowering period: Late December until the end of June, depending on planting time

Flowering time: 6-8 weeks

Bulb size: Large to extra large (In general, the larger the bulb, the more flowers produced.)

Plant size: 18-24” tall, with blooms 3-6” wide; dwarf varieties available

Blooming on my kitchen counter this bulb had 17 blooms on one season. Its worth buying the bigger bulb!

PLANTING DIRECTIONS

Amaryllis bulb 
Courtesy iBulb

Plant bulbs in a good-quality, well-drained potting soil. The pot should have good drainage and be about 3–4” wider than the bulb. The potting mixture should be about 1” below the rim of the pot (for ease of watering), and about 1/3 of the bulb should show above the soil level. Firm the soil and water well.

Position the potted bulb in a warm place with direct light for proper stem development, ideally 68 to 70° F. Water sparingly until the stem appears. As the bud and leaves appear, gradually water more. The stem will grow rapidly at this point and flowers will open after the stem reaches its full height. Fertilize with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer once a month while the plant is in active growth. Turning the pot every few days will  keep the foliage growth balanced.                    

Longwood Gardens with Kalanchoe 

Generally, bulbs will flower in about 6-8 weeks. To achieve continuous bloom, plant bulbs in 2-week intervals. Once the flower buds are ready to open, the pot can be moved to a cooler location, with less direct light. This will both prolong flowering and bring out the brilliant colors of the amaryllis. Remove the flowers as they fade, thus preventing seed formation, which diverts food from the bulb itself.

AFTERCARE

After the amaryllis has stopped flowering, cut the spent flowers and the stem at the top of the bulb. Allow the leaves to continue to grow as food manufactured will enlarge and feed the bulb. Continue to water and fertilize for approximately 5–6 months, allowing the leaves to fully develop. As the leaves start to yellow around early fall, stop watering and let the leaves fade away naturally.

Courtesy of iBulb

Place the amaryllis in a cool (40-50° F), dry, dark place for a minimum of 6 weeks. No watering or feeding is necessary during this dormant period. Caution: Do not store amaryllis bulbs in a refrigerator that contains apples and other fruit that will sterilize the bulbs.

After 6 weeks, remove bulbs and plant them approximately 8 weeks before you would like them to bloom. Follow the planting directions above for next steps.

I hope we all encourage our kids to have the kind of enthusiasm that my friend's son had when he saw this awesome plant

Plant of the Week: Christmas Cactus

 Schlumbergera including Thanksgiving, Christmas and Holiday cacti, are among my favorite plants. Though I'll share care tips and blooming techniques for this plant, know that a Holiday Cactus blooms at will and handles benign neglect. 

Holiday cacti are available from early November through the winter holidays in most garden centers. The color range is phenomenal, including white with a blush of pink, fuchsia, red, peach, and gold. 

Light pink is our earliest bloomer this year

Christmas cacti are wonderful plants to grow and save for generations of gardeners. They are long-lived; I've know families that have shared plants through 4 generations!

Native to Brazil in South America, this tropical succulent blooms in our winter for a couple of months. Though its primary bloom time is now, don't be surprised to see a limited rebloom in early spring.  It is an epiphyte that naturally resides in the crooks of branches in its native habitat.

 Choose a well-draining potting soil and a container with drainage holes. Water the plants when the soil is dry to the touch. Do not let the pot sit in a saucer with water. Plants need to be evenly watered when they are in bloom, but do well with less water after flowering. 

Sold this time of year in small, medium and large pots

My Christmas cactus lives out on my patio in the summer with very little care. It was brought indoors with the rest of my houseplants in late September. Lower temperatures did nip at the buds, but the flowers are showing lots of color now. Once the buds set, Christmas cacti prefer lower nighttime temperatures. 

A small hanging basket is a perfect home for Holiday cacti

Holiday cactus are easy to propagate. Take segmented cuttings in late winter and set them aside for a few days until the cut end dries out. Plant the cutting into soil; keep humid with a plastic cover or dome sold at garden supply store with seed starting supplies. Roots should form in 2-3 weeks. 

At the garden center and from our WBAL viewers, we get many questions about Christmas cacti. We try to answer some of them in this video.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

 

Dwarf Alberta Spruce welcome
holiday guests to the front door

Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Picea glauca 'Conica', grow in a cone shape, growing very slowly to about 12 feet at the rate of just a few inches a year. The classic Christmas tree shape provides the ideal tree for 'sprucing' up garden pots outside for the holidays. The addition of lights and ornaments create the perfect outdoor decorations welcoming guests to our homes. 

Spiral trained Dwarf Alberta Spruce
do well in the spring and summer gardens as well 
Photo from plantingtree.com

Use a well-draining potting soil when planting in a pot. Water thoroughly whenever the soil surface is dry. Give the tree plenty of space from walls and posts as it does best with good air circulation. The needles are very short, just a 1/2 long, and are very densely packed. Apply holiday lights around the tree and add ornaments and ribbon to decorate. 

We have a nice assortment of sizes in stock now

Dwarf Alberta Spruce are native to Alaska, parts of Canada, and to the northern most regions of the contiguous United States. They grow well in colder climates, and are often used in foundation plantings in gardens as far south as our mid-Atlantic region. Prepare an area in the yard to transplant the tree after the holidays; as hardy as it is, the Dwarf  Alberta Spruce will not overwinter in a pot that freezes over winter. Because to base of the spruce grows the widest, make sure to give it plenty of space.  Plant in an area with full sun, with good air circulation in organically amended (compost or Leafgro), Mulch around the tree, being careful to stay about 3 inches away from the trunk. After planting, water weekly until the soil freezes.

Picea glauca 'Conica'

Dwarf Alberta Spruce will last for years in the landscape. They do require some maintenance to keep them nice, as they naturally prefer colder, dryer climates. 

Snow, the perfect decoration
Randy Harter photo

Cyclamen

Cyclamen is a fall and winter favorite in our greenhouse.

 Cyclamens are cool-weather houseplants that bloom from October through March in our homes. The flowers bloom above heart-shaped leaves of green and silver. Various forms of cyclamen include miniature and florist cyclamen in shades of purple, lavender, red, white, and pink.

Cyclamen Mini Crispino Mix photo courtesy of Ball Seed

Though there are hardy varieties for our area that we sell in our perennial department in season, these houseplants will not survive outdoors. 

Cyclamen Bisous Mix 

Keep Cyclamen in a cooler house, between 50 and 68 degrees F, in a brightly lit area possibly on a windowsill. Water the plant beneath the leaves and flowers when the soil surface is dry. Waiting for the plant or flowers to wilt before watering will reduce the beauty and the bloom time of the cyclamen. 

A display at Longwood Gardens displays Amaryllis with Cyclamen

Cyclamen are a good choice for the holidays to include with Poinsettias, Norfolk Island Pines, Amaryllis and other festive indoor plants. A mixed basket with Cyclamen as the floral centerpiece is a great way to spread cheer during visits to friends and families all winter. 

Ruth just made this basket with cyclamen, Norfolk Island pine and other plants. 

Cyclamen will be available in a large assortment of colors and sizes through March. 

Plant of the Week----Ornamental Cabbage and Kale

 

Ornamental Cabbage and Kale 

Fall's favorite flowers are undoubtedly mums and pansies. Both are cold-tolerant and great for cool weather color. Add a cool-weather leafy plant that will brighten up the garden with remarkable color as other plants fade. Ornamental cabbage and kale, Brassica oleracea, are the same species as their vegetable cousins, but they've been bred for color over taste. Instead of producing a cabbage-like head, these plants form a tight rosette of leaves that may be broad, flat or frilly like the kales we know and love. The plants will grow to about a foot high and a foot and a half wide.

Mixed fall container

Our growers start ornamental cabbage and kale in late summer. By early fall, plants are shipped to the store with just a hint of color. As the weather cools, the cabbage and kale come into their own, increasing in size and color as mums start to fade. 

Ornamental Cabbage and Kale

When shopping for the plants, look for large, compact plant with leaves covering the top of the pot. To transplant them, loosen the roots a bit. If lower leaves have yellowed, pull them off and bury the stem to the lowest leaves. Give them some fertilizer to get them growing and water well. On warmer, bright days, be sure to water thoroughly. 

We grow a nice assortment of ornamental cabbage and kale, including:

 Coral Queen

Coral Queen photo courtesy Pinewood

Glamour Red

Glamour Red photo courtesy of  AAS

Kamome Red

Kamome Red photo courtesy of  Ball Seed

Nagoya White

Nagoya White photo courtesy of Sakata Seed

Osaka Dynasty Red

Osaka Dynasty Red photo courtesy of Ball Seed

Osaka Pink Bicolor

Osaka Pink Bicolor photo courtesy of Ball Seed 

Peacock Red

Peacock Red photo courtesy of Lucas Greenhouses

Pigeon Purple and White

Pigeon Purple (our best seller) photo courtesy of Harris Seed

Songbird Red

Songbird Red photo courtesy Takii Seed

Compliment the plants with pansies on a front border, with ornamental grasses behind them, or decorate planters with cut evergreen boughs for the winter holidays. 

Use the leaves for flower arrangements and/or as a garnish on plates at dinnertime.

Do keep an eye out for holes in the leaves that may be a result of slug damage or cabbage worm. They may be removed by hand, sprayed with water or a safe, organic pesticide. 

Enjoy the ornamental cabbage and kale this fall and winter. 

When to Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs

Artists at Longwood Gardens

 

Comparing varieties at Longwood

When asked about the best time to plant bulbs, my short answer is to buy them early (now) to get the best selection but wait until late October-November to plant them. A message from Colorblend Bulbs recently opened on my computer with this statement: "You now it's fall planting time when...

Love the color combinations

• Fall nighttime temperatures are between 40 and 50 degrees F
• The fall foliage has moved just past its peak
• Soil temperatures are approaching 55 degrees F
• There is frost on your windshield some mornings
• You start turning on the heat in your car
• You get your first killing frost
• You start taking blankets to the football game

• 

  Frittalaria

• The hummingbirds are gone
• Winesap apples are starting to turn red
• You don't hear crickets any more
• Squirrels are digging in acorns as fast as they can"
• and so on

Early crocus perfect for early pollinators

I am a procrastinator everywhere, including in my own garden. Most bulbs need 12-14 weeks of dormancy to bloom in spring. It was January last year when I planted the last of the daffodils. Luckily, they had been in an unheated area before then. They bloomed beautifully. 

Bulb planting time coincides with hosta leaves browning and laying down.  Because I've learned to let leaves and foliage be for the wildlife and beneficial insects in my yard, the garden never gets a thorough cleaning. 

A river of Grape Hyacinths at world-famous Keukenhof Gardens

Bulbs make more of a statement when planted in masses, drifts or clusters. Mixing varieties together can be fun, just watch to see that the bulbs planted will bloom together or apart, according to your plan. There is some wonderful information at Dig.Drop.Done about bulbs from our friends in The Netherlands. 

Mixtures of tulips, columbine in beds

Plants of the Week---Sweetspire, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Serviceberry, and Winterberry

While autumn's tree foliage brings incredible beauty to our landscapes, several shrubs offer brilliant color as well. Following are a few fall favorites.

' Henry's Garnet 'Sweetspire is a native deciduous plant found in the southeastern United States. Itea virginica grows from about 6-8 feet tall, forming graceful, arching branches. In the early summer, Sweetspire blooms small, lightly fragrant white flowers on arching racemes.

Sweetspire photo by Sam Bahr, UMD

'Henry's Garnet' puts on a colorful show in autumn with red to purple foliage that lasts into winter. The shrub prefers moist soil in partial sun and shade. It is a great plant to use along banks or in wet areas to control soil erosion. Prune after flowering as it blooms on last year's wood. Sweetspire is a great plant

to add to the landscape for blooming color in summer and wonderful fall leaves. 

The Oakleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia, dominates the front of my home where I have let it grow a little too big on the corner. This plant has four season interest. The white flowers in late spring turn a mauve color in mid-summer. The fall leaf color sports shades of maroon, purple and red beneath the fading flowers. Added to that, the bark has a peeling nature in a lovely cinnamon color.

Oakleaf hydrangea fall colors

Oakleaf hydrangea photo courtesy of University of Maryland

Oakleaf hydrangea is a native to the southeastern United States. It thrives in light shade, shooting sprouts from underground which allows it to colonize easily if space is available. The deer have left it alone, unlike the other hydrangeas in my landscape. Oakleaf hydrangea will handle moist, though not wet, soil. The cone-shaped flower clusters are about 6-12 inches tall and about 5 inches wide at their base. 

Serviceberry, Amelanchier canadensis, may fall more into the small tree category, as it grows 15 feet or more, but its natural form is a multi-stemmed shrub. Native to Maryland, it easily adapts to a broad range of soils, including clay and sand. The white flowers in spring and the fall berries are prized by native wildlife. Early flowers provide pollen and nectar to a wide variety of beneficial insects, including native bees. The berries provide for many birds, including Robins, Baltimore Orioles, Cedar Waxwings and Catbirds. The fall leaf colors are yellow, orange and red. 

Serviceberry photo courtesy of Plant Finder as seen on our website

Serviceberry grows in full sun to part shade in slightly acidic soil. It is an excellent alternative to the invasive Bradford pear. 

Winterberry, Ilex verticillata, is a fall favorite for the berried stems that find all sorts of uses in fall and winter decorating. The deciduous holly loses its leaves in the next month or two, leaving branches of colorful red berries. Native to the eastern United States, Winterberry does very well in wetland habitats, and is adaptable enough to adapt to dry sites. The shrub reaches 10-15 feet and is available in a dwarf version. Winterberry requires a female and male plant to produce berries. 

 

The leaves will drop, leaving a bounty of berries

Winterberry is attractive to birds and butterflies. Look for coral-colored varieties too. 

Don't plant this---Euonymous alatus, known as Burning Bush for its bright red fall color, is an invasive plant. It is on Maryland's Tier Two Invasives list. While it can still be sold in Maryland, a sign must accompany the plants on the nursery lots to warn gardeners of its invasive nature.  Plant some of the native plants listed above to take the Euonymous' place in landscape. 

The Burning Bush has since been removed from this landscape. 

Autumn's colors are amazing and may be part of the reason that so many call fall their favorite season. Plant some native trees and shrubs this October while the soil is warm and the air cool.

Enjoy this wonderful time of year!