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Here are three questions I have been asked this week.
Do I cut back my allium stocks this fall?
Allium Post Bloom Care: Caring For Allium Bulbs Once Flowering Is Over
Allium also known as flowering onion, is a spectacular and unusual looking flowering bulb that will add interest to any garden. As the name suggests, allium plants are members of the Allium family, which includes such plants as garlic, onions, leeks, and chives. All of these plants produce similar round, pom-pom shaped flower heads, though alliums are the only ones usually exclusively grown for their flowers. But what do you do with your allium once it’s finished flowering.
Caring for Allium Bulbs
Allium plants produce big, round, softball-sized flowers in shades of purple. They last best in sunny but sheltered spots where the wind is less likely to blow the flowers apart. In these conditions, they bloom in early summer and tend to last for about three weeks.
Once the flowers have faded, you can deadhead the blooms . Leave the foliage in place, though, as the leaves need time to fade naturally to gather energy into the bulbs for next season’s growth. The leaves may look a little straggly, so it’s a good idea to plant alliums in a bed with later blooming flowers that can hide and distract from them.
How to Care for Alliums after Blooming
Allium post bloom care is very easy. Simply keep the plants moderately watered until they fade to yellow and begin to shrivel. At this point, you can cut the plants down to the ground, leaving them where they are or dividing them.
Allium bulbs should be divided every three or four years. To do this, simply dig around the plant with a trowel and lift the bulbs out. There should be a collection of bulbs, which you can separate gently with your hands. Replant a few in the same spot, and plant the others right away in new locations.
Caring for allium bulbs that you don’t want to divide is even easier. Simply cut back the foliage when it fades, and in the fall, cover the soil with 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm.) of mulch. Remove the mulch in the spring to make way for new growth.
Taken from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/allium/allium-post-bloom-care.htm
I have an hibiscus inside and one of the branches is in the way of our walkway. Can I prune this?
Hibiscus blooms on the end of the branches which makes many gardeners hesitate in pruning the plant. Pruning will remove some of the flowers to come and new branches will take a few months to produce new flowers after pruning.On the other hand, if you skip it, the plant will become overgrown and gawky. Prune one-third of the selected and crowded branches, once or twice a year. It is going to stimulate the branching of the plant, making it look fuller.
Note: Indoor hibiscus doesn’t require as much pruning as an outdoor one.
Take from Gardening Know How - https://www.gardeningknowhow.com
What do I do with my outdoor Hibiscus? Do I cut it back this fall?
This article says to cut back to 10” and then mulch. What I have done in the past is nothing with mine. I leave the stems up because then I know where the plant is. It says don’t worry about the plant coming up late in the spring. That is why I leave the stems up because then I know where the plant is. Late in spring could be even June. Hardy Hibiscus do not like cold nights and May nights still could be cold. Once it starts coming up it will grow quickly. It is a herbaceous perennial which means it comes up from the roots or the crowns. Love the sound of that HERBACUOUS. Have a read with this article.
Pruning Perennial Hibiscus – A Guide To Hardy Hibiscus Pruning
Commonly known as hardy hibiscus perennial hibiscus may look delicate, but this tough plant produces huge, exotic-looking flowers that rival those of tropical hibiscus. However, unlike tropical hibiscus, hardy hibiscus is suitable for planting as far north as USDA plant hardiness zone 4, with very little winter protection.
When it comes to pruning perennial hibiscus, there’s no need for stress. Although this easy-care plant requires very little pruning, regular maintenance will keep it healthy and promote better, bigger flowers. Read on to learn how and when to prune perennial hibiscus.
How to Prune a Perennial Hibiscus
Hardy hibiscus pruning isn’t complicated but there are a few things you should know in order to keep th plant looking its best.
Cut any dead stems or branches down to about 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm.) in fall, just before applying a protective cover of mulch. Remove the mulch in spring, when you’re sure there’s no danger of hard freezes. If any branches froze during the winter, cut these to the ground.
When new growth appears, you can trim and shape the plant, as desired. Keep in mind that perennial hibiscus is a slow starter, so don’t worry if no growth is present in early spring. It may take a string of warm days before the plant decides to emerge.
Pinch back growing tips with your fingers when the plant reaches a height of about 6 inches (15 cm.). Pinching will encourage the plant to branch out, which means a bushier plant with more blooms.
Don’t wait too long, as flowers bloom on new growth and pinching too late may delay flowering. However, you can pinch the plant’s growing tips again at 10 to 12 inches (25-30 cm.) if growth appears spindly or thin.
Deadhead wilted blooms throughout the season to keep the plant neat and to encourage a longer blooming period. To deadhead, simply pinch the old blooms with your fingernails, or snip them with pruners.
Some types of perennial hibiscus can be rambunctious self-seeders. If this is a concern, be vigilant about deadheading old blooms, which will prevent the plant from setting seed.
Taken from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hibiscus/pruning-perennial-hibiscus.htm
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365
Do I cut back my allium stocks this fall?
Allium Post Bloom Care: Caring For Allium Bulbs Once Flowering Is Over
Allium also known as flowering onion, is a spectacular and unusual looking flowering bulb that will add interest to any garden. As the name suggests, allium plants are members of the Allium family, which includes such plants as garlic, onions, leeks, and chives. All of these plants produce similar round, pom-pom shaped flower heads, though alliums are the only ones usually exclusively grown for their flowers. But what do you do with your allium once it’s finished flowering.
Caring for Allium Bulbs
Allium plants produce big, round, softball-sized flowers in shades of purple. They last best in sunny but sheltered spots where the wind is less likely to blow the flowers apart. In these conditions, they bloom in early summer and tend to last for about three weeks.
Once the flowers have faded, you can deadhead the blooms . Leave the foliage in place, though, as the leaves need time to fade naturally to gather energy into the bulbs for next season’s growth. The leaves may look a little straggly, so it’s a good idea to plant alliums in a bed with later blooming flowers that can hide and distract from them.
How to Care for Alliums after Blooming
Allium post bloom care is very easy. Simply keep the plants moderately watered until they fade to yellow and begin to shrivel. At this point, you can cut the plants down to the ground, leaving them where they are or dividing them.
Allium bulbs should be divided every three or four years. To do this, simply dig around the plant with a trowel and lift the bulbs out. There should be a collection of bulbs, which you can separate gently with your hands. Replant a few in the same spot, and plant the others right away in new locations.
Caring for allium bulbs that you don’t want to divide is even easier. Simply cut back the foliage when it fades, and in the fall, cover the soil with 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm.) of mulch. Remove the mulch in the spring to make way for new growth.
Taken from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/allium/allium-post-bloom-care.htm
I have an hibiscus inside and one of the branches is in the way of our walkway. Can I prune this?
Hibiscus blooms on the end of the branches which makes many gardeners hesitate in pruning the plant. Pruning will remove some of the flowers to come and new branches will take a few months to produce new flowers after pruning.On the other hand, if you skip it, the plant will become overgrown and gawky. Prune one-third of the selected and crowded branches, once or twice a year. It is going to stimulate the branching of the plant, making it look fuller.
Note: Indoor hibiscus doesn’t require as much pruning as an outdoor one.
Take from Gardening Know How - https://www.gardeningknowhow.com
What do I do with my outdoor Hibiscus? Do I cut it back this fall?
This article says to cut back to 10” and then mulch. What I have done in the past is nothing with mine. I leave the stems up because then I know where the plant is. It says don’t worry about the plant coming up late in the spring. That is why I leave the stems up because then I know where the plant is. Late in spring could be even June. Hardy Hibiscus do not like cold nights and May nights still could be cold. Once it starts coming up it will grow quickly. It is a herbaceous perennial which means it comes up from the roots or the crowns. Love the sound of that HERBACUOUS. Have a read with this article.
Pruning Perennial Hibiscus – A Guide To Hardy Hibiscus Pruning
Commonly known as hardy hibiscus perennial hibiscus may look delicate, but this tough plant produces huge, exotic-looking flowers that rival those of tropical hibiscus. However, unlike tropical hibiscus, hardy hibiscus is suitable for planting as far north as USDA plant hardiness zone 4, with very little winter protection.
When it comes to pruning perennial hibiscus, there’s no need for stress. Although this easy-care plant requires very little pruning, regular maintenance will keep it healthy and promote better, bigger flowers. Read on to learn how and when to prune perennial hibiscus.
How to Prune a Perennial Hibiscus
Hardy hibiscus pruning isn’t complicated but there are a few things you should know in order to keep th plant looking its best.
Cut any dead stems or branches down to about 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm.) in fall, just before applying a protective cover of mulch. Remove the mulch in spring, when you’re sure there’s no danger of hard freezes. If any branches froze during the winter, cut these to the ground.
When new growth appears, you can trim and shape the plant, as desired. Keep in mind that perennial hibiscus is a slow starter, so don’t worry if no growth is present in early spring. It may take a string of warm days before the plant decides to emerge.
Pinch back growing tips with your fingers when the plant reaches a height of about 6 inches (15 cm.). Pinching will encourage the plant to branch out, which means a bushier plant with more blooms.
Don’t wait too long, as flowers bloom on new growth and pinching too late may delay flowering. However, you can pinch the plant’s growing tips again at 10 to 12 inches (25-30 cm.) if growth appears spindly or thin.
Deadhead wilted blooms throughout the season to keep the plant neat and to encourage a longer blooming period. To deadhead, simply pinch the old blooms with your fingernails, or snip them with pruners.
Some types of perennial hibiscus can be rambunctious self-seeders. If this is a concern, be vigilant about deadheading old blooms, which will prevent the plant from setting seed.
Taken from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hibiscus/pruning-perennial-hibiscus.htm
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365
