ALMetro360 April 18

shine while many other flowers fade in the summer heat and humidity. Continue to water as needed and fertilize throughout the summer to encourage new growth. Those gardening in zones nine through eleven can leave their caladiums in place year-round. Others can either treat these colorful beauties as annuals or dig up the tubers and over- winter them indoors. Dig tubers in early fall when soil tem- peratures drop to 55 degrees. Spread them out in a warm, dry location for at least a week. Label each variety, remove the fo- liage and place tubers in a mesh bag or pack loosely in dry peat moss. Store in a cool, dark location at around 60 degrees. Make this the year you add caladiums for beautiful splashes of color throughout your landscape all season long. ^ MELINDA MYERS has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardenin g. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Every- one” DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and con- tributing editor for Birds &Blooms magazine and was commis- sioned by Longfield Gardens for her expertise to write this article. Myers’s web site is www.melindamyers.com . Find us on Facebook and Instagram APRIL 2018 17 Caladiums planted in container gardens dress up patios and decks. Photo by Longfield Gardens.