Subtropical Bulbs
Source of Recipe
Aunt Saunny
Now that the soil is warm through and through, it's a good time to plant subtropicals. Here are a couple of suggestions:
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
The bright, six-inch flowers that appear in summer and fall are shaped like a tropical bird's head. The plants can grow up to six feet tall. To keep them healthy, give them at least four hours of sunlight a day, and water them only when the soil is completely dry. It takes 2-3 years for divisions to reach flowering size, so divide them only when necessary.
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra and B. spectabilis)
Bougainvillea is noted for its bright, colorful blooms which are actually modified leaves (called bracts) similar to those found on the familiar poinsettia. They are only hardy in zones 9-10, so most of us have to grow these beauties in containers. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and fertilize once a month with half-strength liquid fertilizer. You will probably want to cut them back in late spring or after flowering to control the size
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