According to Wikipedia; a bulb is a short stem with fleshy leaves that are attached at the bottom. There are two types of bulbs: the fleshy leaves can leave the bulb looking smooth like an onion or can have noticeable scales like a lily.
A corm is a swollen underground root that stores food for the plant. Corms are usually round and flat with roots coming from the bottom and one or more buds or stems emerging from the top. New plants or cormels grow around the corm. Gladiolas are corms.
Tubers are either a stem or root that enlarges to store nutrients which enable to plants to survive cold or hot weather.
Potatoes and dahlias commonly grow from tubers.
Bulbs, corms and tubers are harvested when they are dormant, stored and shipped to stores at the beginning of spring for planting.
Asiatic lilies are one of the few bulbs, corms, or tubers that will survive the Alberta winter. To grow next season, the rest need to be dug and stored in a cool area.
Gladiolas are an old favorite. Their flowers are tall and spiked shape. Individual blooms open from the bottom upwards making them an ideal cut flower.
The colors, shades and combinations that are available are breathtaking and inexhaustible. Price does matter. If you want superior flower that will grow straight and open to perfection, they cost more. These are the flowers that are on display at flower shows.
Corms that are sold individually at garden centers are usually superior to those that come in mixed bags. The ones in mixed bags produce are very inexpensive and produce a great display. A row in the garden will insure that there will be cut flowers available for the month of August.
The dahlias for sale now are for superior to the ones your grandmother grew. There are a number of different types of flowers available with countless colors and shades. Plant size varies so pick one that will fit into the garden.
Calla Lilies have tuberous roots. In warm climates, Callas grow in marginal or swampy areas.
In Central Alberta they are more likely to be grown in pots or on the edge of a warm pond. When Callas are given full sun and warm conditions they will bloom for most of the summer.
Cannas, like Callas, originate in moist swampy areas but can be used as bedding-out-plants, potted plants or in shallow areas of warm ponds. These plants are grown for both their foliage and flowers.
Bat Flowers (Tacca) are grown as a centerpiece as they have unique flowers that can reach 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter.
Plant Bat flowers in a rich soil with good drainage. Water well and mist with a foliar fertilizer during the summer months. For best results leave the plant inside until the days and nights are warm.
Elephant Ears (Colocasia esculenta) are large plants with huge leaves giving a tropical feel to any patio. The foliage may die down in the fall but it is more likely to continue to grow in a bright window.
Bulbs such as Crocosmia, Corn Lilies, Tuberose, and Mexican Shell Flowers are also available. These plants will grow in the garden or a pot. The blooms will last a few weeks and then fade away.
These are but a few of the tubers, corms or bulbs available. There are many other varieties that will grow and add color and texture to the garden.
Linda Tomlinson is a horticulturalist that lives near Rocky Mountain House. She can be reached at www.igardencanada.com or your_garden@hotmail.com