Planting and Caring for Pre-Planned Gardens & Collections
Soil Preparation: Remember that proper soil preparation is the key to healthy, vigorous blooming perennials. Use
Yum Yum Mix and a high quality compost at recommended rates to prepare the soil. Inoculate the plant roots with
Plant Success mycorrhizal inoculant.
Planting: Plant according to the mature size of the plant.
Don’t be tempted to put the plants too close based on their size in the pots. They’ll grow quickly and cover the space shown in the planting map. (Maps included only with Pre-Planned Gardens, not Collections.)
Fertilizing: Once annually in mid-fall, after plants begin to go dormant. Use
Yum Yum Mix or
Yum Yum Mix Winterizer at recommended rates to improve the soil and provide essential plant nutrients.Use it with high quality compost, mix half and half by volume and spread on top of the soil. Scratch it in lightly and water thoroughly. It is also beneficial to treat the plant roots with
Plant Success® mycorrhizal root inoculant if you didn’t do so at planting time. (Inoculation only needs to be done once.)
Mulching: In arid climates mulching is very beneficial. Coarse textured composts, shredded leaves, pine needles and composted bark are all excellent mulch materials. Apply to a depth of 1-2 inches. Replenish annually (or as needed).
Summer Blooming Bulbs, including popular varieties such as gladiolus and dahlias, are planted in the spring and bloom in the summer. Most of these bulbs are tropical and require warm weather to be planted. There must not be any danger of frost and your ground temperature must have reached 55 degrees Fahrenheit before planting. Many
of our summer blooming bulbs can be planted as perennials in zones 9-10 (zone 8 if mulched), but should be treated as annuals in cooler climates. You can lift them and store them in the fall, or bring patio pots inside before frost. See page 15 of our Planting Guide for a bulb depth planting illustration. Read our article about How To Grow Dahlias.
Growing Dahlias: Plant Dahlia tubers after spring frosts in good garden soil with full sun. Dahlias must be protected from high winds, so we suggest you position them against a wall or be ready to stake them. Keep the plants well-watered and free of bugs, applying flower fertilizer as they grow. Your dahlias will be in full bloom by July or August, with the enormous flowers continuing to bloom until frost. As frost threatens, pull up the roots and trim off the stems. You can store the tubers in a cool dry place until the following spring.
View more
Planting Guides, or download our
complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
![](http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.highcountrygardens.com/pre-planned-gardens/tried-and-true-dinnerplate-dahlia-collection&media=https://www.highcountrygardens.com/media/catalog/product/t/r/tried_and_true_dahlia_collection_1.jpg&description=Tried & True Dinnerplate Dahlia Collection is composed of three favorite Dahlias with dinner-plate sized blooms that just shout out big color. Thomas Edison, Kelvin Floodlight and Babylon Red Dahlias are all are classic favorites and will provide abundant 6-10" flowers. Blooming from mid-summer to frost, they will provide bright, beautiful cut flowers and light up the garden. Collection of three varieties, 9 bulbs (tubers) total.)