THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION WILL INCLUDE A FEW TYPES OF SUMMER BULBS AND FLOWERS

As in the spring bulb section,we will discuss a variety of summer bulbs and flowers that would be proper for your garden. This opening page will introduce the Liatris or Blazing Star or Gay Feather additional varieties can be found by clicking here. Dahlia Bulbs Gladiolus Bulbs calla lily bulb begonia bulb lily bulbs

THE LIATRIS IS AN EXCELLENT ATTRACTION

Liatris In Our Garden Not A Summer Bulb But A Corm

The Liatris is an excellent attraction in your garden. It makes a vertical spectacle as opposed to the mounded or broad leaf plant. This is an extremely easy plant to handle and is surprisingly good in the hands of a beginning gardener as well as the oldtimer. The interesting feature of this corm,a corm is described in crocus spring bulbs, are the feathery stalks that grow their flowers from the bottom up. The stalk or spike,as some call it can reach heights of 5 feet. It is usually not required to be staked unless it is grown in very rich soil.

The Liatris pictured above,which is in my garden,do attract the favorable kind of insects such as several species of butterflies. Unfortunately I did not get a picture of them busily hovering around these summer bulbs or corms. These flowers are practically fail proof from the stand point of planting and growing. They are heat lovers and need that full sun along with good drainage. Liatris are hardy to zone 3 and relatively free of damaging pests.

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SUMMER BULBS AND CORMS LIKE LIATRIS ARE EASY BUT MISTAKES CAN BE MADE

There is a chance you could plant these summer bulbs or corms too deep. This will result in no plants rising from the soil or very few out of the number just planted. You could increase the problem by the application of a heavy amount of mulch. The corms should be planted no deeper than 2 inches below the soil and,if you insist on using mulch, do not even plant them that deep. It is difficult to locate the end that is to be planted up. It will be necessary to give the corm a close examination to reveal tiny little dangling roots that provides the clue to the bottom of the corm.If you plant them in the wrong direction,there will be no Liatris plant.

Please do not plant your summer bulbs or corms in any spot that becomes and stays soggy all winter. The following year you will notice there are no plants in sight. This is the result of corms rotting away from too much moisture or soggy wet soil. The sun is an important element in the well being of the Liatris. It is better to plant these guys in too much sun rather than too little.

THERE ARE NUMEROUS VARIETIES IN THESE SUMMER BULBS OR CORMS

The most likely variety will be the Liatris spicata found mostly in the east and all the way to Michigan,south to Florida and Louisiana.Some of the other types you will find more costly since they are propagated from corm divison rather than seed. This process is slow causing the value of these to be more than the seed and pod type Liatris.

These include Alba which blooms with pure white flowers and is only eighteen inches tall,a Floristan Violett is a very strong stemmed and thus favored by florists for the thick violet flowers and Kobold,this can be planted in the front of your perennial border because it is small and compact with deep purple flowers.

LIATRIS SHOULD BE CLEANED UP IN THE FALL

The spikes by late fall turn an ugly brown and should be cut off and the dead foliage should be removed. Even though they do not have important insect problems they are subject to leaf spot,powdery mildew and verticillium. See plant diseases for a full description of these problems. See plant diseases. This is why it is a good idea to clean the dead foliage in the fall.

At the time of your emerging foliage is a good time to consider the dividing of large clumps. You just have to seperate the corms or cut the tuberous with a good sharp knife leaving at least one eye on each divison.

These will take a little time to get going but you will be surprised when they start blooming. Well plant those Liatris!

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