Horticultural Alliance Plans Dahlias and Alliums Roundtable on October 7

The Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons will present a roundtable discussion on dahlias, alliums “and other spectacular tubers, bulbs, and corms that need our attention this month” on Saturday, October 7, at 10 a.m. at the HAH John LoGerfo Library in the Bridgehampton Community House.

“As I strolled through the gardens we were fortunate enough to visit this summer as part of our tour program, I was dazzled and inspired by the beauty and variety of so many plants, but in particular I found myself focusing on dahlias, the extraordinary variety, and the many ways they were planted and displayed,” shared Pamela Harwood, a member of the horticultural alliance board of directors who will moderate the roundtable. “This is the time when those of us who already have dahlias and other tender perennials need to think about storing them for the winter. I’m often asked what I think is the best method for doing this, so it seems a perfect time for that discussion!”

While the time to dig up and store dahlia tubers is arriving, it is also the time to plant alliums and other bulbs in the ground to enjoy blooms next year.

The genus Allium includes onions, garlic, chives and leeks, and in addition to these culinary plants there are ornamental alliums with globe-shaped blooms that come in white and shades of pink, purple and blue. Alliums are a good choice for East End bulb gardens because they are deer-resistant, just like daffodils, and they bloom in summer. The roundtable will include information on the bulb cultivars that are available.

All are welcome to attend the free roundtable discussions on the first Saturday of each month from October through March. The horticultural alliance promises to have experienced gardeners on hand to share their knowledge, and attendees may share their feedback, input and questions about these plants. Attendees can also stay after the program to tap the knowledge of alliance members.

The Bridgehampton Community House is located at 2357 Montauk Highway at School Street, Bridgehampton. Also coming up there, the horticultural alliance’s annual yard sale is on Saturday, October 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the community house with books, garden tools, containers and collectibles. For more information, visit hahgarden.org.