I have never gardened until this year... and need some help :)
I have many containers on my patio and no garage or storage space to put all of the containers in. I would like to try and keep some flowers for next year.
I have taken out the lily bulbs and put them in a brown bag to replant in the late winter/early spring in small pots to later replant in the containers. Is this the right thing to do?
I was thinking about replanting some of the ivy and keeping it indoors over the winter in hanging baskets - maybe taking some cuttings and rooting them for more containers next year.
For my 2 fountain grasses - that are supposed to come back - I was thinking about insulating the containers and burlapping them.
What should I do with the others? I have a begonia (a perennial I think), and 2 other perennials that produce flowers in the early spring and summer. Can I put them in small pots and keep them inside (main floor closet) until the spring? And I know that impatiens are annuals, but has anyone ever had theirs come back? Should I keep them in the pot or should I just trash them? They were so cheap, I don't mind throwing them out.
Any advise is appreciated! Thanks in advance :)
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Lois Hole's books are excellent and I doubt you will find one second hand as most people hang onto them, You may find: perennials.com a usful site for gardening.
All of you have been such a great help! I have been looking at gardening books and now I can search for the author that you mentioned, foxxy. Thanks so much again - I really enjoyed all of my flowers this summer and creating fun containers/baskets etc.
Unfortunately I don't have a basement, but I will definitely keep the cannas in a cool spot.
Thanks again!
Kstyle, Sounds like you're asking the right questions and that's what all new gardeners need to do to learn. Even experienced gardeners still have lots of questions. I think you mentioned that you don't really have any extra winter plant storage space, but do you have a cool spot in the basement, like a root cellar - good for canna lily roots, or an old working fridge in the basement. This is good for storing bulbs, etc. that need to overwinter in a cool spot and replanted in the spring. And yes, as someone has already said get a gardening book, the one suggested is a good one. Go to used book stores and get all the ones you can that concern your type of gardening - herbs, perennials, annuals, water gardening, etc. Garage sales are great sources also, and of course the library. Winter is a great time to study up on gardening things and making plans for next year. I do this each winter, and I've been playing in the dirt for thrity years. There's always something new to learn. Have fun!
If the lily bulbs are dehydrated I would soak them in warm water hoping they plump up before you plant them in the soil. I also would buy a garden book as you will find it necessary and a great reference. Lois Hole has a good book. I think it is sold on the web site too. try " hole's nursery" and that should get you there.
So I think I have a plan.
I am going to put the asiatic lily bulbs back in a pot with soil and a bit of bone meal and keep them outside - covered? I hope that I didn't ruin the bulbs. I took them out of soil about 2 weeks ago and have kept them in our main floor closet in a brown bag. They seem to be dehydrated - a bit tender - I have just brought the bag outside - I will pot them tomorrow - do you think it's too late for them.
And I'm going to wait until the first frost to take my canna lily bulbs out and store them in peat moss in a cool place.
But I should bring in the other plants/flowers before the first frost, right?
Sorry for all of the questions. I've never atempted this before - maybe a bit much for my first year of gardening ...
Yes remove them and store in peat moss in a cool spot, under 50* F.
Water well now so bulbs plump up and remove after 1st frost.
I have my canna lilies in an urn - can I take the bulbs out of there for the winter?
Thanks again, everyone!
Asiatic lillies stay in the ground all year. You don't cut them off at all as they need to get strength in the bulb threw the leaves from the fall sun. I would put them back in the ground and add couples Tbsp. of bone meal to the hole. Water well and water every once in awhile right up to frost so the root can get established for winter. I am in zone 5 and leave them in the ground.
Impatiens are an annual in out cold temp. but inside they grow well. If they start to look stragly cut them back a bit. They like filtered sun when inside near a window.
Thanks for the advice Molly! I have asiatic and canna lilies. I have taken the asiatic bulbs out of the containers (about 2 weeks ago) and placed them in a brown bag. Should I plant them and leave them outside over the winter? I hope that I didn't screw up :)
The cannas are still flowering - they seem to be confused by the weather.
So I can keep impatiens inside and they will live through next spring? That seems crazy! I thought that they were annuals.
Thanks again for your help!
If your lilys are the hardy type they cannot be stored inside,they need the cold to bloom next year.Your begonias are not perennial, are they tuberous or fiberous.If they are tubers,they do need stored ,but around 45-50 degrees.If fiberous,they can be potted up and kept on a sunny windowsill,not in the dark.Same as impatiens,pot them up as houseplants .Your ivy can be multiplied easily by taking cuttings,either rooted in water or soil, or just pot them up and kept as houseplants.I think you will just be taking a chance with the grasses as the pot should be put into a cool place like an unheated garage.Hope this helps.