260 Landscape Design, Installation, and Management Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Bedding Plants Bedding plants are typically annual plants installed mainly for their sea- sonal fl oral or foliage presentation. They are often replaced every six to eight months, depending on location and climate. Color displays are often one of the fi rst things people notice in a landscape. Many annuals, such as caladium, coleus, impatiens, and geraniums, are used as bedding plants, Figure 10-26. Border or Line Plants Plants can be used to delineate property lines or provide a visual bar- rier between areas. When large deciduous trees are used as border plants, the trunks provide the delineation. Hedges may also serve as border plants. Many broadleaf and narrow-leaf evergreens are chosen due to their consistent green- ery and vigorous growth. Hands-On Landscaping Planting Geophytes Soil preparation for geophytes is vital to their success. Adding amendments and manipulating the soil to alter its physical and chemical properties will help ensure they will grow and flower. Step 1. Prepare the planting area by hand or with a rototiller. Till deep areas (at least 8″) because the loose backfill will allow for better emergence. Step 2. Test the soil and add amendments as needed. The pH range should be between 6 and 7. Step 3. Work the amendments into the soil. Recommended amendments include leaf mulch, composted plant materials, composted animal manures, bone meal (providing phosphorus), and/or other clean sources of organic matter. Step 4. Prepare the holes. If you have a label, follow the instructions for planting depth and spacing. In general, large bulbs are planted 8″ deep and small bulbs are planted 4″ or 5″ deep. If you want the geophytes to naturalize or divide, plant them by hand. If you want a more structured design, use a bulb planter to keep them evenly spaced. Step 5. Place the geophyte in the hole with the pointed end up and the roots pointing down. Step 6. Fill the holes with the loose backfill and lightly compress the soil. Step 7. Water the planting area. When the flowers have completed blooming, deadhead the flowers but leave the foliage intact. The foliage will continue to gather nutrients for the following season. Cut the foliage to ground level after it turns yellow or brown. Consider This 1. Do all geophytes have the same life span? What occurs when the geophyte reaches the end of its life span? 2. Do any geophytes need to be dug up and stored over winter? Explain why this should/should not be done and with which types. 3. Do any geophytes bloom continuously throughout the season? Identify those that bloom continuously and those that last a short time. aliAntye/Shutterstock.com Liane M/Shutterstock.com Liane M/Shutterstock.com