Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District Reasons to Deadhead Spring Bulbs, By Tony Tomeo

Happy Feels The Love SCCAS Featured Pet FEATURED COLUMNIST Reasons to Deadhead Happy (A279050) came into the shelter as a stray, in notso-great condition. He had Spring Bulbsbeen found by a good Samaritan who passed by as another dog By Tony Tomeo was attacking Happy. People were standing-by filming it. Thankfully, the Good Samaritan stepped in and took Happy away from the situation. Now that the various spring bulbs have finished blooming, or will soon, many will benefit from efforts. Other extensively bred bulbs that are not so sterile may not be true to type. Consequently, their progeny are likely to

Unable to keep the dog, and deadheading. The techniques be very different. Freesia do concerned for his condition, he are simple, and actually not require deadheading, but reached out to the SCCAS to get benefit many plants besides can produce feral seedlings Happy the medical treatment he spring bulbs. In the most with insipid bloom. needed. basic terms, deadheading is Lily, narcissus, daffodil,

We don’t know about Happy’s merely the removal of dete- tulip and hyacinth are some past but it is evident that he has been riorating flowers after bloom. Ideally, it of the popular spring bulbs that now are through a lot. The scars of numerous should happen prior to the development ready for deadheading. Summer bulbs bite wounds cover his body. His mouth was infected from years of neglect, and this likely led to the loss of his lower jaw. Through the medical care of Shelter staff, as well as Dentistry for Animals, Happy is looking and feeling so much better! of seed structures. A most obvious advantage of deadand perennials will get their turn later. Canna, dahlia and perennials that continue

Despite his medical struggles, Happy thrives in the home. He is house- heading is that it eliminates unappealing to bloom through summer will be tidier, trained, and LOVES to hang out on the couch. It’s his favorite spot to snuggle up carcasses of finished flowers. This neatens and perhaps bloom more abundantly with and squeak around on his many toys!. the appearance of remaining foliage. The efficient deadheading. They need not wait

But he’s not ALL about laying around; Happy is also an active puppo! He foliage of some spring bulbs shrivels soon until next year to express their gratitude. loves exploring with his nose, and makes a great hiking and walking partner. after bloom, but remains intact through the •••

Happy is anxious about interactions with other dogs but has warmed up process, to sustain development of new Grape Hyacinth on walks with easy going dog pals. He gets overwhelmed in areas with lots of doggos, but has made several walking friends through slow introduction and bulbs. It is easier to ignore without prominently shabby floral stalks. Are they reliably perennial or invasive? In ideal situations, old fashioned grape positive reinforcement. Happy has spent the past 5 weeks blossoming into quite an endearing and quirky little pup. His positive attitude suggests that he would do well with Deadheading also conserves and redirects resources that would otherwise hyacinth, Muscari armeniacum, can get a bit too eager to proliferate and migrate. children, but we still recommend they meet at the Shelter first. On the other hand, sustain seed production. Such resources Not only do their bulbs divide efficiently, a home with cats and small animals is not recommended for Happy. He would can instead promote vegetative growth, but their seed dislikely do best as the only dog in the home, and with an adopter that is prepared to including production of new bulbs to perse beyond bulb show him patience and love. replace the old. Furthermore, depriving colonies. However,

Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our bulbs of seed provides an added incentive bulbs do not website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require for vegetative regeneration. If unable to migrate too rapidly proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information pre- survive by one means, they try another. for containment. pared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application Some bulbs are more reliant on dead- Thorough deadand schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during heading than others. Grape hyacinth and heading inhibits business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n snowdrop are too profuse with bloom seed dispersion. ••• for minor seed production to inhibit their Grape hyaSanta Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: performance. In fact, they produce viable cinth provides Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us and genetically stable seed, which could be an advantage if more of the same are desirable. Although seed production is limited, seed disperses extensively. Dutch crocus are an example of sterile some of the earliest spring bloom. Floral spikes of tiny rounded flowers do not get much more than six inches tall, but are delightGrape hyacinth is very reliably perennial. hybrids that are unable to produce viable fully abundant. The rich blue color is seed, or waste associated resources on such exquisite. Hybrids and other species can bloom with pale pink, pale purple, white, yellow, or various shades or tints of blue. The grassy foliage is somewhat rubbery. If they do not migrate efficiently enough, established colonies of grape hyacinth are easy to divide in autumn. Of course, it will be necessary to mark

Fictional Monsters their locations as their foliage dies back at the end of spring. Division is easier and faster than growing new plants from © Statepoint Media seed. If hybrids produce seed at all, it may not be viable. If it is, it may not be true to type. n