Flower of the Month- Lupine

The Ultimate Perennial Flower - Lupines,
Raising Them From Cuttings

The modern lupine has only been around since the 1930's. It was bred by George Russell, a recluse, by crossing the blue lupine from North America, with tree lupines and annual lupines. Thanks to his work, the modern perennial flowers now seen in our lupines, have bigger flower spikes and richer colors.

These particular perennial flowers are happiest in full sun, with a well draining, slightly acid soil. Do not over feed them, especially with farmyard manure, which many people think they need. This common misconception will result in soft growth which rots the crowns. This in turn will attract the attention of the lupines arch enemies - THE SLUGS AND SNAILS. Just a few of these hungry creatures will devour rows of young lupines in just one night, so make sure you protect them with a deterrent which really works.

Spring planted tender bulbs bloom after the color of hardy bulbs planted last fall. Like the hardy ones, some tender bulbs are true bulbs, some corms, some tubers, or fleshy or tuberous-rooted. Since they are tender you need to dig and store them each fall (unless you live where winter injury is no problem).

Gladiolus, cannas, and dahlias are best known and most widely planted. Gladiolus are prized for their cut flowers. Like most bulbous plants they require good drainage. Plant the corms four to six inches deep, six inches apart in a sunny location. For blossoms up until frost, make several plantings two weeks apart-the first one when the early garden is planted. It takes about 75 days from planting to blooming.

Choose the stately cannas for background plants. They have a tropical appearing foliage and large exotic blossoms. Plant the thick, fleshy root stocks in good garden soil when the ground becomes warm; full sun is best with extra water during dry periods. Where seasons are short, start the cannas indoors.

The tuberous roots of dahlias are shaped like slender sweet potatoes. They are sensitive to frost. Wait until soil warms in spring and plant in full sun five inches deep. Keep them watered. They grow two to six feet high stake the tall ones. Set each stake in place, and lay the tuber horizontally with the growing end nearest the stake.

The size of individual blossoms varies from small pompons to the huge exhibition types. Set the shorter kinds 18 to 24 inches apart, and the taller ones three to four feet to give room for pruning and disbudding, necessary for large blossoms.

For shady areas in beds, borders, pots or portable planters, use tuberous-rooted begonias and fancy-leaved caladiums. Be sure to plant the tubers right side up (pink shoots are on top). Caladiums are grown for their colorful foliage and begonias for their spectacular blossoms. Other desirable tender relatives of the fancy-leaved caladium are the elephant's ear with its huge leaves.

Giant star-or-Bethlehem sends up a clump of lush green leaves. Later, tall sturdy stems with clusters of dark centered, white blossoms appear, blooming for many weeks. Dry weather affects it in no way except that blossom stems are shorter. It grows in a sunny border or partial shade, and is not bothered by insects and diseases.