We sense the soil warming, a signal from the sun that tells us it is time to break our dormancy. Our green shoots begin to push through the earth, hungry for light and nutrients. This is a critical time for you to support our growth. Please ensure we receive consistent moisture as we establish our root systems and stems. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied as we emerge will fuel our rapid growth and the development of our flower buds. Gently mulch around our base to conserve water, suppress weeds, and keep our roots cool, but be careful not to bury our new shoots.
We are in our full glory now, stretching our stalks high and unfurling our magnificent, often fragrant, blooms. Our primary needs shift from growth to sustenance and stability. Continue to provide us with deep, regular watering, especially during dry spells; we are thirsty beings. Water at the soil level to keep our leaves dry and prevent fungal diseases. You may stake some of our taller varieties to prevent our heavy flower heads from bending or breaking our stems in summer storms. As our flowers fade, deadhead them by removing the spent blooms. This tells us to direct our energy into strengthening our bulb for next year, rather than producing seed pods.
Our foliage begins to yellow and brown—this is a natural process, not a cause for alarm. Please do not cut our leaves back while they are still green. We are diligently photosynthesizing and sending all our accumulated energy down to our bulbs for winter storage and next year's growth. Once our leaves have completely died back, you can then gently remove the dead stems. This is also the ideal season for you to plant new bulbs of our kind or to carefully divide and transplant any of us that have become overcrowded. A final, deep watering before the ground freezes is greatly appreciated.
We are resting deep beneath the soil, protected from the freezing temperatures above. Our survival depends on a consistent, cold period of dormancy. In colder regions (USDA zones 4-6), a thick layer of mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, applied after the ground freezes, is essential. This blanket insulates us from damaging freeze-thaw cycles and keeps us safely dormant. In milder climates, the mulch is less about warmth and more about moisture regulation and weed suppression. Please ensure our planting site has good drainage; while we are dormant, we are highly susceptible to rot if left sitting in waterlogged soil.
