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. Buy Buy bulbs when available in the nursery. 2. Plant Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting 3. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. 6. Transplant Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. 7. Propagate Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting.

  February 1. Buy Buy bulbs when available in the nursery. 2. Plant Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. 3. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. 6. Transplant Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. 7. Propagate Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting.

  March 1. Fertilize Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. 2. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide.

  April 1. Fertilize Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. 2. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 3. Mulch Mulch with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide.

  May 1. Fertilize Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. 2. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 3. Mulch Mulch with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide.

  June 1. Fertilize Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. 2. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 3. Mulch Mulch with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide.

  July 1. Fertilize Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. 2. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 3. Mulch Mulch with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide.

  August 1. Fertilize Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. 2. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide.

  September 1. Buy Buy bulbs when available in the nursery. 2. Plant Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. 3. Fertilize Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. 4. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. 7. Transplant Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. 8. Propagate Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting.

  October 1. Buy Buy bulbs when available in the nursery. 2. Plant Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. 3. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. 6. Transplant Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. 7. Propagate Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting.

  November 1. Buy Buy bulbs when available in the nursery. 2. Plant Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. 3. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. 6. Transplant Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. 7. Propagate Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting.

  December 1. Buy Buy bulbs when available in the nursery. 2. Plant Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. 3. Water Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check plants for snails, slugs and thrips. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. 6. Transplant Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting.

• 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! January Buy bulbs when available in the nursery. February Buy bulbs when available in the nursery. September Buy bulbs when available in the nursery. October Buy bulbs when available in the nursery. November Buy bulbs when available in the nursery. December Buy bulbs when available in the nursery.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? January Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting February Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. March Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. April Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. September Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. October Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. November Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. December Plant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? February Feed after blooming stops every two weeks until plant enters dormancy in early summer. March Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. April Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. May Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. June Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. July Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. August Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. September Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks. October Feed with an acid-based blooming fertilizer monthly. If the soil is on the alkaline side, apply aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate every 6 to 8 weeks.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? January Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. February Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. March Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. April Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. May Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. June Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. July Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. August Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. September Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. October Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. November Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. December Keep the soil evenly moist at all times.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? March If not planted in a water garden situation, mulch plants with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark. April Mulch with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark. May Mulch with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark. June Mulch with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark. July Mulch with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark. August If not planted in a water garden situation, mulch plants with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark. September If not planted in a water garden situation, mulch plants with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark. October If not planted in a water garden situation, mulch plants with 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark.

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

  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 Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. February Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. March Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. April Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. May Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. June Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. July Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. August Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. September Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. October Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. November Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide. December Remove and destroy snails and slugs. Treat thrips with the appropriate pesticide.

  Transplant When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements? January Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. February Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. March Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. April Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. September Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. October Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. November Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting. December Transplant in a sunny, moist location in soil on the acidic side. Use a peat moss-based potting soil for container planting.

  Propagate When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements? January Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting. February Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting. March Divide iris when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting. April Divide iris when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting. May Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting. June Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting. July Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting. August Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting. September Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting. October Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting. November Divide only when the plant becomes overcrowded. Dig up the plant, including the roots, cut stalks (fans) apart with a knife and trim the foliage. Soak in water for an hour before replanting.

  Special requirements Any other requirement for this plant? Is there anything that doesn't fit into the other care categories? June Keep planting area dry when the bulbs are dormant, or dig them up and store in a cool, dry place until fall planting time. July Keep planting area dry when the bulbs are dormant, or dig them up and store in a cool, dry place until fall planting time. August Keep planting area dry when the bulbs are dormant, or dig them up and store in a cool, dry place until fall planting time.