General Information

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

  January 1. Water Water regularly during dry periods. 2. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 3. Protect Protect from frost for best foliage appearance in winter. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate.

  February 1. Water Water regularly during dry periods. 2. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 3. Protect Protect from frost for best foliage appearance in winter. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate.

  March 1. Buy Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. 2. Plant Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. 3. Fertilize Fertilize with 5-10-10 plant food to stimulate growth and bloom. 4. Water Water regularly during dry periods. 5. Prune Cut back old stalks to stimulate new spring growth and summer bloom. 6. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs.

  April 1. Buy Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. 2. Plant Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. 3. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 4. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs.

  May 1. Buy Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. 2. Plant Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. 3. Fertilize Fertilize with 5-10-10 plant food to stimulate growth and bloom. 4. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 5. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 6. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves.

  June 1. Buy Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. 2. Plant Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. 3. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 4. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves.

  July 1. Buy Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. 2. Plant Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. 3. Fertilize Fertilize with 5-10-10 plant food to stimulate growth and bloom. 4. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 5. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 6. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves.

  August 1. Buy Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. 2. Plant Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. 3. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 4. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves.

  September 1. Buy Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. 2. Plant Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. 3. Fertilize Fertilize with 5-10-10 plant food to stimulate growth and bloom. 4. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 5. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 6. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves.

  October 1. Water Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. 2. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves.

  November 1. Water Water regularly during dry periods. 2. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 3. Protect Protect from frost for best foliage appearance in winter. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs.

  December 1. Water Water regularly during dry periods. 2. Mulch Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. 3. Protect Protect from frost for best foliage appearance in winter. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails and slugs.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! March Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. April Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. May Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. June Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. July Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. August Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers. September Buy established plants in nurseries, or order by mail from specialty growers.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? March Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. April Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. May Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. June Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. July Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. August Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow. September Plant in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil, using plenty of soil amendment. Be sure to give plants enough room to grow.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? March Fertilize with 5-10-10 plant food to stimulate growth and bloom. May Fertilize with 5-10-10 plant food to stimulate growth and bloom. July Fertilize with 5-10-10 plant food to stimulate growth and bloom. September Fertilize with 5-10-10 plant food to stimulate growth and bloom.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? January Water regularly during dry periods. February Water regularly during dry periods. March Water regularly during dry periods. April Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. May Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. June Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. July Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. August Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. September Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. October Water regularly, spraying the foliage when you do to increase humidity. November Water regularly during dry periods. December Water regularly during dry periods.

  Prune When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements? February Cut March Cut back old stalks to stimulate new spring growth and summer bloom.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? January Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. February Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. March Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. April Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. May Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. June Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. July Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. August Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. September Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. October Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. November Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use. December Maintain a generous mulch around plants to keep roots cool and moist and to conserve water use.

  Protect When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved? January Protect from frost for best foliage appearance in winter. February Protect from frost for best foliage appearance in winter. November Protect from frost for best foliage appearance in winter. December Protect from frost for best foliage appearance in winter.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? January Check for snails and slugs. February Check for snails and slugs. March Check for snails and slugs. April Check for snails and slugs. May Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves. June Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves. July Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves. August Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves. September Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves. October Check for snails and slugs. Watch for whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves. November Check for snails and slugs. December Check for snails and slugs.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? January Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate. February Control snails and slugs with iron phosphate.