Spring-Planted Bulbs and Summer Blooms: A Guide to Growing and Storing Dahlias, Gladiolus, and More - Ep. 301

A listener asked for a deep dive on dahlias and I’m delivering, from the ground up (pun intended). But we’re not stopping there. In this episode, I’m covering the full world of spring-planted bulbs: dahlias, gladiolus, cannas, calla lilies, and tuberous begonias. You’ll learn when and how to plant them, how to grow them for maximum blooms, how to cut them for the vase (because that’s half the fun), and, critically, how to handle end-of-season care based on where you live. If you’re in a warmer zone, some of these can stay in the ground. If you’re in a colder zone like me, we’re digging them up, curing them, storing them, and doing it all again in the spring. Let’s dig in!

Quick-Reference: Zone-Based Overwintering Guide Zone 9-10+: Leave everything in the ground. Mulch lightly after frost. Let plants rest and re-emerge in spring.

Zone 8: Cannas and callas can stay with heavy mulch. Dahlias and glads: consider digging, especially in colder parts of the zone.

Zone 7: Mulching is a gamble. Reliable: dig dahlias and glads. Cannas may survive with very heavy mulch in milder Zone 7.

Zone 6 and colder: Dig everything. Cure properly. Store in cool, dry, dark, frost-free conditions. Replant after soil warms to 60°F in spring.

Bloom Timing and Vase Life at a Glance

• Dahlias — Bloom: midsummer to first hard frost | Vase life: 5–8 days | Zone to leave in ground: 9+
• Gladiolus — Bloom: ~70–90 days after planting | Vase life: 7–10 days | Zone to leave in ground: 8+ (with mulch)
• Cannas — Bloom: midsummer to frost | Vase life: 4–7 days | Zone to leave in ground: 8+ (with mulch)
• Calla Lilies — Bloom: summer | Vase life: 10–14 days | Zone to leave in ground: 8–9+ depending on type
• Tuberous Begonias — Bloom: summer all season | Vase life: 3–5 days | Zone to leave in ground: 9+

References

• University of Minnesota Extension — Dahlias: From Garden to Vase. extension.umn.edu
• University of Missouri Extension — Growing Dahlias (G6600). extension.missouri.edu
• NC State Extension Gardener Toolbox — Dahlia pinnata. plants.ces.ncsu.edu
• Colorado State University Extension — Dahlias, Fact Sheet 7.418. extension.colostate.edu
• Iowa State University Extension — Gladiolus for the Home Garden (PM 874). extension.iastate.edu
• University of Florida IFAS Extension — Gladiolus Production. edis.ifas.ufl.edu
• University of Illinois Extension — Canna Lily in the Garden. web.extension.illinois.edu
• Michigan State University Extension — Digging and Storing Tender Bulbs. canr.msu.edu
• University of Vermont Extension — Storing Tender Bulbs Over Winter. uvm.edu
• USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023). planthardiness.ars.usda.gov

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