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GARDENING

SMO O TH J AZZ THE BEAUTY OF BULBS

SA TURDA Y outh Africa has more than 2 000 the following season can be disappointing. be planted from September onwards when

BY ELIZE MALAN

different indigenous bulb species.
bulbs as annuals and discard after
The exotic bulbs planted in South For this reason, I prefer to treat all spring frost damage is unlikely.
SAfrican gardens are hybridised to flowering.

produce the best blooms and are quite well
adapted to the local climate. Interestingly, Ranunculus/Anemones/Dutch Iris
the description ‘bulbs’ can include corms, These prefer to be planted in full sun from
tubers and tuberous roots. Let’s take a April to June. The plants will produce

closer look at these beautiful plants. flowers from July until October, particularly
the Dutch Iris. Grow some in the vegetable
BULBS FOR SPRING FLOWERING patch and use as cut flowers. Discard after

Buy your spring bulbs in autumn and keep flowering.

them in the fruit drawer of the fridge until
the soil temperature drops. Spring bulbs Tulips
prefer to be planted in cool soil and have These bulbs are only available towards the
to be kept moist (not wet) at all times. Plant end of May. They are temperature-treated Dahlias
according to the instructions provided on and must be planted soon after receiving
the packaging (not too deep and not too them. Cool, moist conditions with good Dahlias
shallow). light intensity will produce beautiful These flowers are once again all the rage and

flowers. Discard after can be planted from late September. The

“Flower carpet” Daffodils flowering. flower size can be less than 2cm up to the size
FROM 3PM These daffodils can be planted in full sun SUMMER BULBS of dinner plates, depending on the variety.

The corm is planted in well-composted, moist
to light shade and will flower from July to

These bulbs
soil and will need full sun and at least 25mm
September. Due to our hot, wet summers,

EVERY SATURDAY Daffodil bulbs need to be lifted after become available of water per week to provide an abundance

of flowers throughout summer.
flowering and stored somewhere cool and

at the start of
dry. Even with careful handling, the results
spring and can
AT LA PARADA WATERFALL CORNER
WWW.LAPARADA.CO.ZA
Tulips
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Book y our table: w at erf all@lap ar a da. c o .za | 0 10 0 3 5 4 90 1 Every gardener is familiar with these beautiful plants - most of us
probably have some of them in our own gardens!

Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 2 • 2019 7