From our perspective, timing is everything. We are not true bulbs but tuberous roots, and our life cycle is dictated by seasons you might find challenging. We crave a period of cool growth followed by a warm dormancy. In the Midwest, you must plant us in the fall (October is ideal). This allows our roots to establish in the cool, moist soil before the ground freezes. We use the winter's cold as a signal, and when temperatures warm in spring, we burst forth with vigorous growth and flower before the summer heat arrives. Spring planting of our dried tubers is often too late; we struggle to establish and bloom before being scorched by the intense summer sun.
Do not fear your cold winters on our behalf. While we are not fans of being frozen solid, a consistent period of cold is beneficial. The real danger is not the cold itself, but the cycle of freezing and thawing, which can heave our tender roots out of the soil and desiccate us. After the ground has frozen for the first time, please provide us with a generous 3-4 inch blanket of loose mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves. This is not a heater; it is an insulator. It locks the soil into a consistently cold temperature, preventing those damaging thaw cycles and protecting us from bitter, drying winds. Remove this blanket gradually in early spring as the threat of hard freezes passes.
Your summers are our greatest challenge. We are programmed by our Mediterranean origins to retreat, to go dormant when the heat arrives. As temperatures consistently rise into the 80s (F), our foliage will naturally begin to yellow and die back. This is not a sign of failure but of our natural cycle. Do not fight this. Please cease watering us once this process begins. Soggy soil around our dormant tubers in hot weather is a death sentence, inviting rot and fungal diseases. Our survival depends on a dry, warm dormancy. Think of our tubers as sleeping peacefully underground, waiting for the cool embrace of autumn to signal it is time to wake up again.
To thrive in these conditions, we have specific requests. Plant us in a location with full sun (at least 6 hours) during the cool seasons of spring and fall. This fuels our growth and flower production. The soil must be exceptionally well-draining. We cannot abide "wet feet." Amend heavy Midwest clay with generous amounts of compost or grit to create a loose, airy bed. This ensures water flows away from our crowns and tubers, preventing rot during spring rains and our critical summer dormancy. Provide consistent moisture during our active growth and bloom period, but always allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
