It’s Bulb Planting Time of Year Once Again
October is the favored month to plant bulbs, the exception being tulips and hyacinths, which must spend at least six weeks in the refrigerator before being planted. The list is long--a trip to the nursery is the best way to see possibilities. Don’t overlook the Cape bulbs, native to the southernmost tip of Africa: freesia, homeria, ixia, sparaxis and watsonia. These will come back year after year in our gardens, even multiplying, with no need to dig them up in the summer and little need of water.
Annual flowers to plant right away for winter and spring bloom include the African daisy, sweet alyssum, calendula, Canterbury bell, English daisy, Iceland poppy, larkspur, lobelia, pansy, annual phlox, stock, sweet pea, sweet William, viola and any wildflowers. In shady spots, try several kinds of primroses now at nurseries, or cineraria where hard frosts aren’t likely. Plant from nursery six-packs, or even seed; don’t waste money on annuals in larger-sized containers. Put in now; the smaller plants will grow bigger and flower longer.
From the Los Angeles Times 2001 Garden Calendar
Garden Calendar
* Orchid Trek, 15th annual East-West Orchid Show, Friday 12-5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the New Otani Hotel & Garden and adjacent Weller Court Shopping Center, 120 S. Los Angeles St. Free. For information (213) 629-1200.
* Native plant sale, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley, (818) 768-1802. Free talks.
* Los Angeles Rose Society hosts its annual rose show Saturday 1-4:30 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Van De Kamp Hall at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, (818) 952-4401; https://www.descanso.com. Free with admission.
* Horticultural Supervisor Brian Sullivan discusses “How to Plant Daffodils and other Spring Bulbs,” 10 a.m. Saturday at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, (818) 952-4401; https://www.descanso.com. Free with admission.
* How to Build a Water Garden by self-taught garden designer Robert Marien, 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Sherman Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, (949) 673-2261. Free.
* Bird Walk led by Nelson Holmes, birder and naturalist, 8-11 a.m. Saturday at the Arboretum of Los Angeles County, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, (626) 821-3222. $10 members; $12 nonmembers.
* Art of Flowers, Fall Perennial Sale & Art Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at the UC Irvine Arboretum, Campus Drive and Jamboree Road, Irvine, (949) 824-5833. Admission $2 a person.
* San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society presents its annual Winter Show & Sale 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Arboretum of Los Angeles County, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, (626) 821-3222. Free with Arboretum admission.
* Certified arborist and plant pathologist Jerry Turney talks about Tree Pruning 1-3 p.m. Sunday at the Arboretum of Los Angeles County, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, (626) 821-3222. $8 members; $10 nonmembers.
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Send garden announcements to Garden Events, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, at least three weeks before the event date.
