The Caladium White Wings, ‘Caladium x hortulanum’, a spring planted tuber, are grown for their long-lasting, colorful foliage and they are used in borders and beds. This narrow pointed leaf variety has white leaves with green edges. It is ideal for pots and hanging baskets on the porch or patio. Caladiums also bloom, but the flowers are insignificant and they drain energy from the plant. They should be pinched off as soon as possible. Caladiums need protection from full sun for the best growth and color. All parts of this tropical plant are poisonous, so caution is advised around children.

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The Tulip ‘Hemisphere’, ‘Tulipa triumph’, a fall planted bulb, is a new introduction this year. This variety has white petals and is painted with reddish-pink across the bloom. Triumph Tulips are the largest and one of the most important class of Tulips. They come in every possible shade of color possible for tulips, including some wonderful pastels. They are particularly esteemed for their beautiful, traditional “tulip” flower shape. Triumph Tulips have sturdy stems and withstand windy weather. They are great for cut flowers and they have a long vase life. These are mid sized tulips with compact leaves and shorter flower stems. They are ideal for pots or even a spring color hedge. Triumph tulips respond well to a cooling period of six weeks in the fridge prior to planting.

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The Sweet Bell Pepper Blushing Beauty,’Capsicum annuum’, displays unusual colors of the four-lobed 4 x 4 inch fruitthat make this bell pepper an ornamental as well as a useful pepper plant. The fruit colors change from ivory to blush to red, then to orange-red and finally, a darker red as they mature. The Blushing Beauty bell peppers are thick walled and sweet tasting and they are tolerant to some bacterial leaf spot and tobacco mosaic.Transplant outside in the spring 3 to 4 weeks after last frost date. Note: To get a jump on the season transplant outside, use a walls-of-water or some black plastic to maintain and increase temperatures. Pinch off early flowers to encourage plant growth. Plant in average garden soil with sufficient organic matter. Peppers use quite a bit of water but prefer to be watered deeply and not too often. Blossom pruning will improve fruit size.

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