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Dutch Iris are one of the most colorful of all fall-planted bulbs. They have been propagated heavily in Oregon and Washington for the Pacific Coast market. The flower is excellent for cutting and a generous crop may be expected. The colors include white, yellow, lavender, blue and purple. The plants are fairly hardy although they require some protection if planted in a windy spot. Plant in the open sun or semi-shade with the bulbs. 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart. Average garden soil will suffice and the bulbs should not be disturbed until the plants become so thick that the clumps need dividing.

Aftercare of Bulbs – Many – including gladiolus, tigridias and tuberous begonias – should be taken up now and stored for a good rest. Remember, the foliage should be thoroughly ripened before cutting off. Dust the bulbs with an insecticide to take care of any insect eggs present. Also, all bulbs and tubers should be dried off thoroughly before storing in peat. Guard against mice eating tigridias especially.

For quick color – In the mild sections of the West, snapdragons, stocks, annual chrysanthemums, larkspur, Iceland poppies, violas and pansies may still be set out, although the blooms will be later than on those set out last month. For shady spots, try cinerarias and primroses.

Wildflowers – Sow seeds after the first heavy rains. For dependable ground covers on bulb beds, sow linaria, brachycome, Gilia lutea (G. micrantha), nemophila, Virginia stock, Johnny-jump-up and other shallow-rooted annuals. These make colorful beds by themselves and are a boon both to the busy gardener pressed for time and the “lazy” gardener.

Winter pot plants – For the shaded patio use primrows, cinerarias, pansies, daffodils, browallias, reinwardtias, alocasia amazonica, beloperones, ericas, eranthemums, azaleas and camellias.

Pyracanthus and cotoneasters are the answer for time-pressed gardening enthusiasts who require colorful berries with a minimum of time spent on upkeep. Berried shrubs thrive here in the West. Although they can be planted at any season, this is a good time to select choice kinds at local nurseries, for now you can not only choose the ones with the best forms but also the proper colored berries.

Join Thomas Fryd at http://www.plant-care.com as he continues to explore more effective ways on alocasia amazonica. This and other unique content ” articles are available with free reprint rights.

October is the month for planting many kinds of bulbs, perennials and vegetables in the South. Lawn planting, too, is at its height, especially preparing lawns for winter color with overplantings of rye grass.

We have gone through a rather difficult summer season of extremely hot weather and severe droughts in many areas. This has left garden soils badly compacted, enough to restrict root growth of lawn grasses and garden plants. This calls for deep preparation of the soil and pulverizing it thoroughly. Ample quantities of peatmoss should be added to heavy clay and sandy soils to improve their texture and moisture-holding capacities.

Some bulbs such as Madonna lilies, freesias, ornithogalums, zephyranthes and leucojums must be planted immediately. Get these in first. The latter part of the month will be too late.

Dutch bulbs are ready for planting the latter part of October: tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, fritillarias, muscari, galanthus, scillas, crocus, anemone, ranunculus and many others. Plant your tulips deeper than is normally recommended, 8 inches in fairly heavy soils and 10 inches in sandy ones.

In the Lower South tulips can be grown only when the bulbs are placed in refrigeration for about a month before planting. This applies to North Florida, and the Gulf Coast through Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Plant paper white narcissus and Soliel D’Or in the garden for generous blooms in mid-winter.

Sandy, well-drained soils are best for bulbs. Add sand or vermiculite to heavy soils to provide good drainage and make a good, friable soil.

Perennials like variegated yucca have finished most of their growth, except the hardy asters and chrysanthemums. To get the most out of your mums give them a last feeding with a complete plant food, preferably a liquid. They will provide many more weeks of color.

Clean up perennials that have finished blooming. Remove dead flower stalks and leaves. Destroy to prevent re-infestations of insects and diseases.

Louisiana Iris – That state is a gardener’s paradise in early spring when gardens and swamp lands are a blaze of color from millions of iris. This month plant some of these varieties with blooms 7 and 8 inches in diameter. The Louisiana iris are among the few that can be grown on boggy, wet lands, although they can also be grown on upland soils. They are very versatile plants. They grow in full sun or semi-shade, acid or slightly alkaline soils. Every color in the rainbow, but green, can be found.

Bearded Iris can still be planted. Select some gorgeous new colors to replace the old, off-whites that have taken over the garden.

For water-edge plantings you will find the Spanish iris colorful. They are grand around pools and along streams where they naturalize quickly. Another great iris for wet, lowland soils is the Oriental or Japanese iris with its giant petals of every hue.

Still another for October planting is the popular Dutch or bulbous type which must be planted in light, sandy soils. It is well suited to all sections of the South and makes a beautiful cut flower. Try some of the giant bronzy varieties which have been developed.

For more details on variegated yucca. Drop by today at http://www.plant-care.com/variegated-yucca-plant.html. This and other unique content ” articles are available with free reprint rights.