Dahlia Dahlia Hyrid Cultivar
Tree dahlia Dahlia imperialis
autumn
This can be a time for planting unusual bulbs in your garden. Some of the best autumn bulbs
are dahlia, belladonna lily, cyclamen, nerine, lycoris, snowflake, zephyranthes, Jacobean lily
and all of the autumn crocuses. Plant a selection of these to add colour to the garden.
MARCH
FLOWERING Belladonna lily, crocus
(Colchicum spp., Sternbergia lutea
and Crocus sativus), gladiolus, nerine,
dahlia, Jacobean lily and zephyranthes.
WHAT TO DO In warm areas, prepare
soil for planting spring bulbs by digging
in aged cow manure, pelletised fertiliser
and compost. Purchase bulbs but keep
in the fridge until next month. Water and
fertilise the foliage that appears after the
flowering of naked lady, nerine and other
bulbs that flower before leaf growth.
BULBS TO PLANT Plant winter-flowering
jonquil and paperwhite narcissus at this
time. In cool areas, begin planting all
your winter- and spring-flowering bulbs.
TIP Lily caterpillar attacks strappy
leaf plants such as crinum. Remove or
treat with insecticide for caterpillars.
APRIL
FLOWERING Dahlia, zephyranthes,
nerine, autumn snowflake (Leucojum
autumnale) and lycoris (Lycoris aurea).
WHAT TO DO After gladiolus finish
flowering, dig up, peel and store corms
in a dry, airy place for next year. Cut
back frost-affected dahlia in cool areas.
BULBS TO PLANT In cool areas, plant
spring-flowering bulbs cool-stored for six
weeks, such as tulip, hyacinth, Dutch
iris, crocus and daffodil (wait until next
month in warm areas). Also plant corms
of anemone, babiana, ixia, ranunculus,
sparaxis and tritonia, plus dwarf daffodil
varieties in pots. Put in some spring star
flower (Ipheion uniflorum) and lachenalia,
for long flowering in pots or the ground.
TIP Nerines and other spider flowers
make great long-lasting cut flowers.
MAY
FLOWERING Early narcissus, tree
dahlia and cyclamen.
WHAT TO DO Fertilise newly planted
bulbs with bulb food or controlled-release
fertiliser. Prune dahlias to 30cm above
ground level. Lift all tubers, including
dahlia and tuberous begonia, and store
them in a cool, dry place until after
frosts finish. In well-drained soils,
leave tubers in the ground.
BULBS TO PLANT In warm areas, plant
spring-flowering bulbs and corms, such
as tulip, hyacinth, daffodil, ixia, babiana,
ranunculus, anemone, Spanish bluebell,
freesia and grape hyacinth (Muscari spp.).
Try freesia in pots. In cool areas plant tulip
and lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis).
TIP Order lilium for winter planting in
the ground or in pots, for a summer show.
