The first week of November is cool enough to consider digging and storing tender bulbs such as dahlias, cannas and others than could be killed by a hard freeze. There is still time to mow and edge the lawn for winter and plant bulbs that will flower in the spring. If you decide to bring plants indoors to act as houseplants over the winter, be sure to check under the container and into the soil for hitch hiking slugs and snails.
Q. Can I just leave my dahlias in the ground over winter and have them return in the spring? My neighbor gave me a bunch of extra tubers and I planted them into a section of my vegetable garden, and I had beautiful dahlias this summer. Now my neighbor insists I dig them up the tubers before winter like she does. I seem to remember you writing that it was okay to leave dahlia tubers in the ground. F., Puyallup
A. The answer depends on how much you like to gamble. In most cases, in well-drained soil or raised beds, you can just mulch or lightly cover your dahlias in the fall after you cut the stems to the ground. But if you are a devoted dahlia grower you will want to dig the tubers from the soil this month and let them dry a bit indoors. Then store them in paper bags in a cool, dry garage or shed for replanting in May. Once you dig dahlia tubers you can also cut them apart or divide them to increase your stock. Your neighbor can show you how or watch the process on YouTube to make sure you include at least one growth point or eye on the tubers that you divide. Dahlia mania is heating up in Western Washington and so adding a few more rows of dahlias to your vegetable garden is a great way to enjoy more of the dramatic shapes and vibrant colors of the diverse dahlia family. Who knows, you might even discover a new variety – as a flower farmer in Enumclaw did.
Q. Do you recommend camellias that bloom in late fall? I noticed a camellia in bloom at a local nursery but have only ever heard of camellias that flower in the spring. Will they do well in the Tacoma area? W.C., Tacoma
A. Yes! The fall and winter flowering camellia sasanquas may even be in bloom for Christmas and new varieties have colors in pink, red and white. One thing to consider is protecting the rather fragile blooms from winter rain and windstorms. This means finding a location up close to the house, perhaps in a protected corner where the garage juts out from the main house. This way you can train these evergreen shrubs to grow flat against the wall under the eaves which will make a spectacular display of blooms walking to the front door. One winter blooming camellia is called ‘Yuletide’ with bright red petals with yellow center stamens. As the name suggests, you might enjoy blooming camellia flowers every Christmas if a camellia sasanqua is planted in the right location.
Q. When can I move a peony plant? Thank you. A., Email
A. November is a good time to add new peony roots to the landscape or to dig and move an established peony. This is also the time to cut back peony stems and foliage before winter rains encourage disease on the overwintering foliage. When it comes to planting peonies (or talking to toddlers) the number one rule is not to get too deep. Plant peonies so that the growth point or eye is just below the surface of the soil. Planting peonies too deep is the most common reason why a healthy peony plant refuses to flower.
Marianne Binetti has a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of “Easy Answers for Great Gardens” and several other books. For answers to gardening questions, visit plantersplace.com and click “As The Expert”. Copyright for this column owned by Marianne Binetti. For more gardening information, she can be reached at her website, www.binettigarden.com.
