Michigan gardeners know that fall is the perfect time to prepare for a stunning spring display. Some bulbs need special care when cold weather arrives, requiring you to dig them up and store them safely indoors.
By taking this simple step in autumn, you’ll protect your investment and ensure gorgeous blooms when warm weather returns.
1. Gladiolus
Sword-shaped leaves and towering flower spikes make gladiolus a showstopper in any Michigan garden. Once frost blackens the foliage, it’s time to carefully dig up these tender corms.
Wait about six weeks after blooming ends before lifting them from the soil. Cut off the stems, leaving just an inch attached to the corm.
Store them in a cool, dry place like a basement or garage where temperatures stay around 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit throughout winter.
2. Dahlias
Few flowers rival the dramatic beauty of dahlias with their dinner-plate-sized blooms. Michigan’s freezing winters will damage these tuberous roots, so digging them up becomes essential for survival.
After the first light frost kills the foliage, use a garden fork to gently lift the clumps. Rinse off excess dirt and let them dry for several days in a protected area.
Pack them in boxes with peat moss or vermiculite to prevent shriveling during storage months.
3. Cannas
Tropical vibes come alive with cannas and their bold, banana-like foliage paired with fiery blooms. Although they love Michigan summers, winter cold will kill their rhizomes if left in the ground.
Dig them up after frost has damaged the leaves but before a hard freeze arrives. Trim the foliage back to about six inches from the rhizome.
Allow them to air-dry for a few days, then store in slightly damp peat moss in a cool location around 45-55 degrees.
4. Caladiums
Heart-shaped leaves splashed with pink, white, and green make caladiums irresistible for shady Michigan spots. When temperatures dip below 60 degrees at night, these tropical tubers need to come indoors.
Stop watering about two weeks before digging to help them enter dormancy naturally. Carefully lift the tubers and brush off loose soil without washing them.
Store in dry peat moss or vermiculite at temperatures between 50-60 degrees until spring planting time arrives again.
5. Tuberous Begonias
Ruffled petals and vibrant colors make tuberous begonias a favorite for Michigan container gardens and shady borders. Before the first frost arrives, reduce watering gradually to signal dormancy.
Once foliage yellows naturally, dig up the tubers and remove stems and excess soil. Let them cure in a warm, dry spot for about a week.
Store the dormant tubers in barely moist peat moss inside paper bags, keeping temperatures around 40-50 degrees throughout the winter months.
6. Elephant Ears
Massive leaves create instant drama and tropical flair wherever elephant ears grow in Michigan landscapes. Cold temperatures spell disaster for these tender bulbs, making fall digging absolutely necessary.
After frost damages the foliage, cut stems back to about six inches and carefully dig around the bulb. Brush off soil and let them dry indoors for several days.
Wrap individual bulbs in newspaper and store in a cardboard box in a cool basement where temperatures hover around 50 degrees.
7. Calla Lilies
Elegant trumpet-shaped blooms and glossy foliage give calla lilies their sophisticated appearance in Michigan gardens. While some varieties handle light frost, most need protection from harsh winter conditions.
Wait until foliage begins yellowing before digging up the rhizomes in late fall. Gently shake off dirt and allow them to dry for a few days.
Place them in boxes filled with dry peat moss or sawdust, storing in a cool area around 40-50 degrees until spring returns.
8. Ranunculus
Paper-thin petals layered like roses make ranunculus absolutely enchanting in spring gardens. Michigan winters are too harsh for these delicate corms to survive outdoors without protection.
Dig them up in fall once the foliage has completely died back naturally. Clean off soil gently and inspect for any signs of damage or disease.
Store the corms in a mesh bag or open container with good air circulation, keeping them in a cool, dry location around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Freesias
Intoxicating fragrance and delicate blooms make freesias a treasure for Michigan gardeners who appreciate scented flowers. Freezing temperatures will destroy these tender corms, so autumn digging is critical.
Once flowering finishes and foliage yellows, carefully lift the corms from the soil. Remove dead foliage and let them air-dry for about a week.
Store in paper bags filled with dry peat moss or sand, maintaining temperatures around 40-50 degrees in a garage or basement until replanting time.
10. Acidanthera
Star-shaped white blooms with chocolate centers give acidanthera its nickname as the peacock orchid. Michigan’s freezing winters will kill these tender bulbs if they remain in the ground.
Dig them up after the first light frost damages the foliage in fall. Cut back stems and brush away excess soil from the bulbs.
Dry them for several days in a warm location, then pack in peat moss or vermiculite, storing at temperatures around 50-60 degrees until spring arrives.
11. Oxalis
Shamrock-shaped leaves and cheerful little blooms make oxalis a delightful addition to Michigan gardens and containers. Many varieties won’t survive winter outdoors, requiring careful fall removal.
When foliage begins dying back naturally in autumn, stop watering and let the soil dry out. Gently dig up the small bulbs and brush off loose dirt.
Store them in dry peat moss inside a paper bag, keeping temperatures cool but above freezing at around 40-50 degrees until spring planting.