Bush-type begonias grow up to 2 feet tall with a full range of colors, while trailing begonias are a favorite selection for hanging baskets. Begonias can be started indoors and transplanted outside after danger of frost is past. Tall varieties are good background plants against fences. Dahlias are among the most accommodating of all Garden flowers and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. They bloom from mid-summer until frost, providing constant color and superb cut flowers.
Some varieties become as large as dinner plates.
You can purchase dahlias as bedding plants, as well as root divisions. Dahlias perform well in rich Garden soil with bright sunshine, but they will tolerate light shade if they receive at least 3 to 4 hours of sun each day. The more sun, the sturdier the plants. Gladiolus are grown primarily for cutting and are prized for their unique appearance and variety of colors. Individual plants bloom only a week to 10 days, but you can extend the bloom by planting the corms at intervals of 7 to 10 days, starting after the last spring frost and continuing until 2 months before the first fall frost.