Bulb

In recent years, tuberous begonias have enjoyed renewed popularity as beautiful new cultivars became available in the gardening industry. Tuberous begonias are grown for their flowers, which can range from 1/2 inch across to large exhibition types with flowers the size of dinner plates. Flowers may be single or double and are available in every color except blue, some with colored petal edges.

Iris are one of the most popular and beautiful of garden flowers. With the wide range in plant type, size, and adaptation, there is an iris for almost any location. The standard iris, Japanese iris, Siberian, Spuria and yellow flag types are all suitable for Nebraska. By using an assortment of these types in a variety of sizes, iris bloom time can extend from early April through June.

Plus, iris are vigorous plants and easy to grow even for the beginning gardener.

Late summer can be a ho-hum time of year for landscape perennials. Colorful flowers of the early spring and summer bloomers are long-gone and mid-summer bloomers are looking ragged after the tough months of July and August. Fall bloomers like asters and chrysanthemums haven’t started blooming yet.

One plant that pops out at this time of year, brightening the late summer garden is Autumn Lycoris - aka Surprise Lily, Magic Lily or Naked Lady. Botanically this plant is Lycoris squamigera and is common in Nebraska gardens due to its cold tolerance, making it hardy to Zone 5.

Planting flowering bulbs is a fall tradition for many gardeners, and there is still plenty of time to get your bulbs in the ground this fall. In eastern Nebraska, bulbs can be planted from late September through the end of October, ideally when soil temperatures are below 60 degrees. This allows the root system to develop before the ground freezes. Check current soil temperatures on Nebraska Extension’s Crop Watch website

Planting onions from small bulbs or "sets" is not the best way to grow large onions for storage. Plants grown from sets often begin blooming in mid-summer and stubbornly refuse to stop. Once that happens, onion bulbs don't increase much in size.

A colorful bowl of bright red tulips or yellow daffodils can bring a touch of spring to your home in the middle of winter. With very little effort, you can create several containers now and enjoy a good supply of flowers during the dreary days of January and February.

Many types of bulbs can be forced to bloom indoors including crocus, hyacinth, narcissus, scilla, muscari, and tulips. Forcing bulbs involves two phases; the bulbs develop a root system in the first phase and bloom in the second.

Planting Your Bulbs

Amaryllis is a popular holiday gift plant - maybe you found one among your holiday gifts this year? If so, rest assured Amaryllis are easy to grow and their huge, brightly colored flowers will soon bring a bright splash of color to your home during the winter season. Amaryllis are tender bulbs easily grown in pots, but must be grown indoors in Nebraska except during the warm summer months. The flowers range in color from scarlet to white and are often striped or mottled; their leaves are long and strap-like.

Many tropical or sub-tropical plants are popular additions to Nebraska gardens. They provide great color with their showy flowers and leaves, and also interesting foliage. But since these plants cannot survive a Nebraska winter, even as dormant bulbs in the soil, it's important to dig them in fall and store them properly so that you can replant them next spring.

The hybrid amaryllis, Hippeastrum spp., is a tender bulb easily grown in pots. Amaryllis can be grown outdoors throughout the year in mild climates, but must be grown indoors in Nebraska except during the warm summer months. Amaryllis is prized for its huge showy flowers ranging from scarlet or crimson to white in color, and often striped or mottled. Most amaryllis are Dutch or African hybrids selected for flower size, color and ease of forcing. The usual flowering season is from February to April.

While most gardeners are familiar with spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, many don't realize that some bulbs actually bloom in the fall. These fall-blooming bulbs make unexpected, colorful additions to the fall garden.

If you're planning to plant bulbs this fall, it's time to decide what you need and get them ordered. Fall bulb planting begins in late September and continues into October.