What’s November like in your yard? Correct proper right here all through the northeast, it’s a less-than-joyous trifecta of grey skies, leaf-less timber, and bone-chilling precipitation that’s someplace between snow and rain. We would have had a couple of mild frosts in October, nonetheless November will definitely ship the harsher temps. This implies it’s time to start out planting out these hardy bulbs and bringing all through the tender ones.

What bulbs it is advisable to dig up and retailer in November will largely rely in your rising zone, native native local weather, and the type of plant. Gardeners in zones 7 and eight are right on the cusp of hardiness for plenty of of our favourite tropical and tender vegetation. Relying on how well-drained the soil is or how dry the winters are, some gardeners might have the flexibility to tuck their bulbs in with an additional thick layer of mulch.

Completely completely different gardeners? Not so fortunate. In case you are gardening in an space local weather that selections extended and chilly winters, dig in (actually) and get these tender bulbs out of the yard this month. 

Anemone

These cheery little flowers are more than likely primarily most likely essentially the most cold-tolerant on this file, though they won’t survive months of subzero temperatures. Anemone have gorgeous white, pink, purple, and blue petals surrounding darker companies. To not be confused with the perennial picket anemone or fall-blooming Japanese anemone, these vegetation are normally grown as cool-season lower flowers or bedding vegetation.

Anemones are hardy in zones 7 and eight if coated with mulch all through the autumn, and may be left uncovered year-round in zones 9 and hotter. Gardeners in colder zones might want to retailer these corms indoors for the winter. Wait till the foliage has withered and turned yellow, then dig the anemone up. Let the corms dry for 2-3 days, then gently take away the lifeless foliage. Retailer corms in a darkish, dry location saved at room temperature.

Caladium

Caladiums are prized for his or her gorgeous, heart-shaped leaves that unfurl in shades of white, pink, purple, and inexperienced. These fabulous foliage vegetation are native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. As such, they require scorching, humid circumstances and are largely grown as a summer season season annual in North America.

Further tender than dahlias, caladium tubers have to be dug and lifted before frost has hit your own home. Take away the soil from the tubers and permit them to treatment for one week in a heat location out of direct picture voltaic. Retailer caladium tubers in a barely hotter location than your completely completely different tender bulbs – a fragile 55-60°F (13-16°C) is most attention-grabbing.

Calla Lily

The funnel-shaped, upright flowers of the calla lily makes them terribly well-liked with lower flower followers. Blooms are sometimes white, though horticulturists have bred fairly a couple of pink, yellow, orange, and purple cultivars. Calla lilies have extended, arrow-shaped leaves which is maybe every regular inexperienced or evenly speckled with white. These vegetation are native to southern Africa, the place they’re present in coastal marshes, moist meadows, and completely completely different heat, barely moist areas. 

Calla lilies make fantastic container vegetation and may be grown indoors. They is simply not going to survive open air in areas with freezing chilly winters. Gardeners in zones 7 and colder should plan to carry calla lily rhizomes shortly after the primary frost. Lower off the wilted stems 1-2 inches above the soil line, then dig up the rhizomes. Dry the rhizomes for 2-3 weeks in a heat location out of direct daylight, and retailer them at 45-55°F (7-13°C).

Canna 

Cannas or canna lilies are acknowledged for his or her lush, orchid-like flowers that emerge in good purple, pink, coral, orange, and yellow. Giant inexperienced, bronze, burgundy, or bicolor leaves guarantee this plant seems to be eye-catching, even when not in bloom. There are dozens of canna lily species scattered spherical tropical areas of Asia, Africa, and South America.

In contrast with a few of the completely completely different tender bulbs talked about on this textual content, cannas are ever-so-slightly further tolerant of chilly circumstances. Nonetheless, they nonetheless can’t survive months of below-freezing temperatures. These vegetation will hold damage if left all through the bottom beneath 25°F (-4°C). 

Canna lilies will survive year-round in our warmest rising zones, though gardeners in zone 6 might want in order so as to add a healthful layer of mulch or present completely completely different safety for these tropical vegetation. Gardeners in zones 5 and colder ought to dig up canna rhizomes right after the primary frost has zapped the foliage nonetheless before there was a tough freeze. Mud the unfastened soil off of the rhizomes, after which set them apart in a dry location for about one week. As shortly as cured, canna rhizomes may be saved in a cool, darkish location till spring.

Colocasia

Together with alocasia, colocasia are further usually known as elephant ears. Acknowledged for his or her truly large, shield-shaped leaves, colocasia are the epitome of lush, tropical yard vibes. Their daring, vibrant foliage works superbly in containers, mass plantings, and borders. Colocasia are native to southern Asia, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Most colocasia are solely winter hardy to zone 8. A healthful layer of mulch all through the tubers will assist shield the roots all by means of the chillier months. Nonetheless, these are tropical vegetation that like scorching, humid circumstances – gardeners colder than zone 8 might want to dig up the bulbs and produce them inside after the primary exhausting frost. Shake the surplus soil off the bulbs and retailer them in a cool, darkish location till they’re sometimes potted up indoors in mid-spring.

Dahlia

Dahlias are a few of most likely essentially the most spectacular tender tubers a gardener can develop, and their recognition as a lower flower has exploded presently. There are an entire bunch of types to select from, with a seemingly limitless mixture of flower kind, shade, and dimension. These vegetation are native to Mexico and areas of Central America, and because of this fact, is simply not going to survive a extended, freezing winter.

Gardeners in zones 7 and colder should dig up dahlia tubers after the primary exhausting frost has killed the foliage. Retailer dahlia tubers in a cool, darkish location, ideally between 40 and 50°F (4-10°C). A storage, shed, or basement is normally highest. Storing your dahlia tubers requires placing a stability in moisture. Some humidity is required to deal with the tubers hydrated, nonetheless an excessive amount of can set off mildew and decay.

Gardeners in zones 9 and hotter can go away their dahlia tubers all through the bottom year-round. Zone 8 gardeners? They need to ponder their native native local weather and soil circumstances. Everytime you’ve acquired moist winter native climate and solely reasonably drained soil, dig up the dahlias – the hazard of rot is just too excessive.

Freesia

A elegant flower acknowledged for its intoxicating perfume, freesia is one completely different tender bulb that’s well-liked with lower flower lovers. Freesia are native to jap and southern Africa, the place they really go dormant in the midst of the most well-liked months. These multicolored beauties flower most attention-grabbing in mild climates the place temperatures maintain beneath 70°F (21°C).

Whereas freesia prefers cool, temperate native climate to bloom, it is not going to survive an extended winter of below-freezing temperatures. Gardeners in zone 8 and colder might want to dig up and retailer the corms.

Dig up freesia corms after the foliage has begun to yellow and fade, nonetheless before the primary exhausting frost. Clear off any residual soil from the corms, then change them to a heat, barely humid surroundings for 2-3 months. This might mimic the dormant interval of their native surroundings. Afterwards, retailer freesia corms in a cool location till you could have the flexibility to plant as quickly as further.

Gladiolus

Gladiolus, fondly sometimes referred to as “glads” to many gardeners, are prized for his or her spectacular spear-like stems and leaves. Native to components of Africa and Madagascar, these placing vegetation are loaded with tall flower spikes in shades of pink, purple, purple, orange, and yellow.

There are roughly 180 totally completely completely different species of glads. Most are chilly hardy all the way in which wherein all the way in which right down to zone 7, nevertheless there are some hybrids which is maybe hardy all the way in which wherein all the way in which right down to zone 5 when mulched totally.

Dig gladiolus corms up every after the foliage has yellowed and pale, or wait till merely after the first mild frost. Healthful gladiolus have to be left standing all through the soil for so long as potential, to present the corms ample time to develop and retailer vitality for subsequent season’s blooms. Lay the corms out in a light-weight, ethereal location to treatment for 2 weeks. Retailer corms in a cool location with a substantial amount of good air circulation.

Oxalis

Moreover referred to as purple shamrock, false shamrock, or purple picket sorrel, Oxalis triangularis is beloved for its vibrant, darkish purple leaves. This plant merely isn’t an precise shamrock, nonetheless pretty a type of picket sorrel native to South America. It’s incessantly grown as an indoor houseplant, nevertheless, it’s sometimes utilized in dry, shady yard beds and borders.

Oxalis is not cold-hardy and can solely be left open air all through the warmest rising zones. All through the early fall, gardeners can dig up full vegetation, place them in a container, and change them indoors.

If bulbs are going to be saved for the winter, wait till a tough frost kills the higher foliage in mid to late fall. Dig the bulbs up and produce them indoors. Retailer oxalis bulbs in paper baggage filled with peat moss or picket shavings, and place the luggage in a cool, darkish location that is nonetheless 40-50°F (4-10°C).

Ranunculus

With their layers of delicate petals in candy-like hues of pink, coral, peach, orange, and yellow, ranunculus resemble little roses. These cool-season flowers are a bit choosy near temperature. They carry out poorly if it’s hotter than 70°F (21°C) for extended. On the equal time, they are not cold-hardy and so they won’t survive prolonged intervals beneath freezing. Ranunculus are actually solely winter-hardy in zones 8 and hotter.

Gardeners in zones 3-7 should dig ranunculus corms as shortly as the warmth of the summer season season has handed and fall has set in. The foliage will begin to yellow and skinny out. Retailer corms in a cool, dry, darkish location that is nonetheless 50-55°F (10-13°C). 

Tuberous Begonia

Shade-loving, vibrant tuberous begonias are unbelievable additions to outside planters, hanging baskets, and yard borders. As natives to the tropics of South America and components of Africa, tuberous begonias don’t survive chilly, freezing temperatures. Gardeners all through absolutely the warmest climates can go away the tubers all through the bottom, nonetheless gardeners in zone 9 and colder should dig up and retailer the tubers.

Tuberous begonias naturally enter a dormant interval in late fall. They’ll cease flowering and producing leaves and slowly begin to ship vitality to the tubers and roots.

Dig begonia tubers when the foliage begins to yellow, or after the primary mild frost. Set the begonia tubers in a cool, dry place for 2 weeks for curing. As shortly as a result of the tubers have had an opportunity to dry out a bit, retailer them notably particular person paper baggage, which ensures a substantial amount of airflow, at 40-50°F (4-10°C).

Key Takeaways

Fall is a time for plenty of vegetation, animals—and sure, even gardeners—to point inward, go dormant, and start a interval of relaxation. Which may be very true for our tropical tubers, most of which could’t survive prolonged intervals of below-freezing temperatures. By taking the time to dig up and herald your tender bulbs this November, you’ll be setting your self up for a considerable quantity of lovely blooms subsequent spring.