From our perspective deep in the earth, the world above is cold and still. Our energy is withdrawn, stored safely in our roots. We are dormant, and this period of cold rest is crucial. It signals to us that a cycle has ended and prepares us for the next. Do not disturb our slumber. A thick layer of mulch over our root zone is a welcome blanket, protecting us from damaging freeze-thaw cycles that can heave our roots from the soil. We are gathering strength, unseen.
The sun’s angle changes, and its warmth begins to seep deeper into the soil. We sense this shift. Slowly, the stored energy in our roots starts to mobilize. By late March, you may see the first tiny green shoots tentatively emerge from the base of last year’s stems. This is our signal that growth has begun. Now is the time to gently remove any winter mulch and clear away the old, dead foliage from the previous season. This gives our new sprouts room to breathe and access to the strengthening sunlight.
With longer days and warmer soil, our growth becomes explosive. We direct all our energy into producing lush, green leaves and sturdy stems. This is the most important time for you to support our form. Please pinch back our growing tips. When our stems are about 6 inches tall, remove the top inch of growth. This encourages us to branch out laterally, creating a bushier, sturdier plant that will support a heavy load of blooms later. We will reward this effort with a much fuller presence in your garden.
We continue our leafy expansion, but internally, a significant change is occurring. The shortening nights after the summer solstice trigger a biochemical signal within us: it is time to initiate flower buds. Our energy shifts from pure vegetation to reproductive preparation. Consistent moisture is vital now; stress from drought can cause our lower leaves to yellow and drop, weakening the entire structure. A light application of a balanced fertilizer will give us the nutrients we need to build strong buds.
The proof of our internal work becomes visible. Small, tight buds form at the ends of our many branches. Our demand for water remains high as we swell these buds. You may notice two types of buds: a larger central bud surrounded by smaller lateral buds. For fewer but larger, exhibition-quality flowers, disbud us by removing the smaller lateral buds, directing all energy to the central one. For a prolific spray of flowers, simply let us grow naturally.
This is our moment. As days shorten and temperatures cool, our buds begin to unfurl into the magnificent blooms you’ve waited for. The cool air helps intensify our colors and extends the display. We are putting on our final, spectacular show for the season. Enjoy it. Keep us watered, especially if autumn is dry, to prevent our flowers from wilting and our leaves from scorching. A light frost may touch our petals, but often, we will endure and continue blooming.
After the energy expended in blooming, we are weary. The first hard frost signals the end of our cycle. Our flowers and leaves will blacken and die back. You can choose to cut our stems down to just a few inches above the ground. Please, cover our crown and root zone with a fresh, loose layer of mulch—perhaps straw or shredded leaves. This protects our vital core from the harsh winter ahead. We withdraw once more, ready to sleep and dream of the spring sun.
