As the days shorten and the air cools, we sense a profound change. The sun’s energy, which we so eagerly absorbed all summer, begins to wane. Our internal biological clock signals that it is time to prepare for rest. You see, we are perennial beings. Our life is not a single season but a cycle. The vibrant blooms we proudly displayed have faded, and our energy is no longer directed toward reproduction. Instead, we begin a deliberate retreat, pulling our essential life force—our energy reserves—down from our above-ground foliage and back into our secure, subterranean storage units: the bulbs. This process is not an ending, but a crucial investment in next spring’s spectacular display.
Our long, green leaves are not merely decorative; they are our power plants. Even after our flowers have passed, these leaves continue to perform photosynthesis, converting the last of the autumn sun into precious carbohydrates. This energy is not wasted on growth but is meticulously transported down to the bulb. It is stored as starch, the fuel that will power our rapid ascent when the soil warms again. If you remove our foliage too early, you are essentially stealing the winter groceries we need to survive and thrive. It would be like unplugging a battery before it is fully charged, leaving us weakened and unprepared for the challenges of winter and the demands of spring.
We will tell you when we are ready. The appropriate time for you to intervene is not based on a specific date on your calendar, but on our physical state. Watch us closely. After the first frost, you will notice our leaves and stems beginning to change. They will lose their vibrant green hue, turning yellow, then brown, and eventually becoming soft and wilted. This is a good sign! This color change indicates that the process of nutrient withdrawal is largely complete. The chlorophyll has broken down, and the valuable resources have been successfully stored in the bulb. We are now entering a state of full dormancy, and our above-ground parts have served their purpose.
When our foliage is fully yellow or brown and pulls away from the base with a gentle tug, it is time. Using a sharp, clean pair of pruners or scissors, cut our stems down to approximately 2 to 3 inches above the soil level. Please ensure your tools are clean to prevent introducing any disease to our vulnerable bulb. Avoid the temptation to pull or yank the stems, as this can disturb our root system and potentially damage the bulb itself. The remaining few inches of stem will serve as a marker for our location through the winter, preventing accidental disturbance, and will naturally decompose.
With our energy safely stored below, our primary winter need is a stable environment. Our bulbs are alive and respiring slowly underground. The greatest threat is not the cold itself, but the cycle of freeze and thaw, which can heave us out of the ground and damage our tissues. After the soil has frozen hard, we gratefully accept a blanket. A layer of 4 to 6 inches of loose, airy mulch—such as straw, shredded leaves, or pine boughs—is ideal. This does not heat us but insulates us, keeping the soil consistently cold and protecting us from temperature fluctuations. This quiet, insulated rest is all we require to gather strength for our next grand performance.
