Selection and Care of the Easter Lily
A popular symbol of Easter is the trumpet-shaped, white, fragrant flowers of the Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum). Plants are available from flower shops, greenhouses, and other retail outlets.
A popular symbol of Easter is the trumpet-shaped, white, fragrant flowers of the Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum). Plants are available from flower shops, greenhouses, and other retail outlets.
In recent years, the number of farms that grow and sell locally-grown cut flowers has increased. Learn more about the reasons for the rise in flower farms across Iowa and the unique niche they are filling at farmer's markets and flower shops.
Learn more from the experts on pruning in the winter and early spring of 2024.
In November 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an updated version of its popular Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is a standard guide to a plant’s cold tolerance. Overall, much of Iowa is now in Hardiness Zone 5. Learn more about the new map and how to best use it below.
When taking flowers or vegetables to the fair, careful harvest and preparation must be done. Use this information to find tips on preparing and handling vegetables, herbs, cut flowers, floral arrangements, potted plants, and houseplants for 4-H and youth exhibits at state and county fairs.
While easy to grow, tulips do occasionally develop problems. Early emerging foliage, browsing from deer and rabbits, and bulb rot are a few common ones. Below are potential problems encountered when growing tulips in the landscape and how to manage them.
Most modern tulip cultivars bloom well for only 3 or 4 years. Their vigor declines each year, eventually leading to plants with leaves and no blooms. For this reason, these tulip types are often treated as annuals.
However, some tulip types (classes) bloom well over a longer period. These varieties make better long-term additions to the garden and will bloom each season reliably. Choose from the following types if you want perennial-type tulips.
Tulips are favorites of Midwest gardeners, but we often fail to appreciate the diversity of these spring-flowering bulbs. Tulips vary tremendously in flower and plant size, bloom period, shape, and color.
Tulips are grouped into 15 divisions based on shape and origin. Tulips can also be grouped by bloom time. In Iowa, tulips typically bloom from mid-April through May. Divisions can be classified as early, mid-season, or late based on when in that time frame they bloom.
Tulips (Tulipa spp.) are the quintessential spring blooming bulb. The wide range of colors, sizes, and patterns make them a spring favorite for Iowa gardeners. Learn more about these fascinating plants including information on planting, caring, transplanting, dividing, and forcing as well as information on how to select the best kind of tulip for your garden, how to deal with problems that may arise, how to use them as cut flowers, and the unique history and cultural impact this bloom from the mountains of central Asia has on gardeners.
The beautiful blooms of tulips, daffodils, and other spring-flowering bulbs bring joy to the gardener in March, April, and May. Proper care through the remainder of the spring will help to insure excellent flower displays in succeeding years.