SHELF LIFE – Plant into the garden as soon as the ground has thawed enough to dig. To insure adequate blooming time, planting should occur by mid June.
GARDEN LOCATION – They like partial sun or shade. Dig a hole about 6 inches deep and 3-4 inches wide. Space them 18-24 inches apart. Plant them in masses, borders, or as accent features in your garden or tubs.
DETERMINING THE BOTTOM OR TOP OF DIVISIONS – The top side is the pointed side. These bulbs have roots radiating from a central point. These fleshy roots should be put into the soil facing downward.
PREPARATION - Discard any unattached pieces of old roots or leafy remnants that may have occurred.
SPROUTING TIME - Sprouts after 4-6 weeks. In the ground it takes a little longer if the temperatures are still cold but success is still assured.
LEAFING –The leaves are pointed and pale to dark green, appearing on erect or arching, hairy stems about two feet high.
BLOOMING- Their two inch flowers, which are star, bell, or funnel shaped, with opened-out tips, are held in the axils of the leaves. Their quiet colorings and darker fleck-like markings are very attractive. Colors range from blue and lavender, purple and mauve, to lilac and white.
SOIL – They require excellent drainage. If your soil is clayish amend it with a standard garden soil for adequate drainage.
POTTED PLANTS – If planted in containers large tubs and pots are recommended.
WATER – Water thoroughly upon planting. They need at least one inch of rainfall per week. If rain does not occur, water once or twice per week. Once established they are relatively drought tolerant.
FERTILIZER – This helps encourage new leaf buds which form clumps of new foliage. For best results, use Roberta’s Flower Magic Plant Food (M7503) once a month after planting all summer long.
LIGHTING -Partial sun is preferred.  Otherwise shaded or filtered sun will be fine too.
TEMPERATURE ZONE 4 to 8- If they are planted in pots, you may place your pots outside and leave them there all summer long when nights stay above 40 degrees.
If they are planted in the ground, they will come up at the right time without worries of frost damage.
WINTER DORMANCY – In late autumn, cut plants back to the ground. In pots or in the garden, they can handle temperatures down to about minus 20 degrees below 0. PROPAGATING- They prefer to be left undisturbed.
CUT FLOWERS - If you want to cut your stems for a flower vase, cut the entire stem length if desired.

DEER RESISTANT – Yes. When deer do get a little nibble, do not worry. It will not harm the plant as they begin to grow new leaf clumps immediately.