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Blooms are hosta's best part

Jessica Damiano | Garden Detective

December 6, 2007

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How can I store 'Nonstop' tubular begonias over the winter for replanting next spring? -- Bill Whiteford, Babylon Village

Begonia 'Nonstop' are so named because they begin blooming earlier than other begonias and continue to flower later, generally from April until the first frost. What's more, they don't require deadheading. New flowers simply keep coming all season long.

Although they're annuals, the plants produce tubers, which you can dig up and store for more nonstop color next year.

Wait for the stems and leaves to die back and dig up the entire clump. Shake off any excess soil and set the tubers out of direct sunlight, but at room temperature until they dry out. Remove any loose stem fragments and roots by gently tugging on them.

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Store tubers in peat moss in a paper bag or box in your unheated cellar or attic, or other dry, dark spot at 40 to 50 degrees. Replant in the spring, discarding any rotted or soft tubers that didn't survive the winter.

Help! A bad cold kept me from planting bulbs in time. Can I still plant them if the ground hasn't frozen? -- Carolyn Sweeney, Babylon

Absolutely! But hurry.

I have planted a number of hostas, and, although I like the greenery, I don't like the flower stalks that grow so tall and lean in all different directions. If I cut the flower stems off as they start to bloom, will I kill the plants? -- Donna Lessmann, Commack

Not at all.

Removing hosta flowers and stems is akin to picking any other flower in your garden.

As far as I'm concerned, the tall lavender or white lily-like blooms are the best part of the plant, but in truth you're not the first person I've heard from who plants hostas solely for their foliage.