Question
I have only been gardening for about 4 years, i planted about 4 calla lily bulbs last year and they came up right away, i didn't realize i should dig them up each season.  I now planted more callas and a few Cannas, i am wondering if it is possible to cover the flower beds with leaves or leaf bags during winter versus digging them up each year.  Would the flowers survive?  also i don't see my callas coming up this year the new bulbs or the bulbs from last year.  Do you think i killed the ones from last year?  thanks for your help

Answer
Hi Barb,
Cannas are hardy only to zone 7 which is mostly the midsouth states and parts of the Atlantic Seabord up to Long Island.  Callas are only hardy to zone 8 or 9 which is the coastal south and California.  So, you're going to have to dig them up every year and store them in the basement.  I believe your zone is too cold to try to leave them in the ground over the winter even with a lot of mulch over them.  YOu can do an experiment and try a few.  I would use leaf bags at least one foot deep and make sure they cover the whole area of the garden bed.  No harm in trying is there?  I hope this helps.
Tom