As we head into fall, and bulb planting season nears, here are some helpful tips for a picture-perfect floral display when spring arrives. We’ve made them easier to remember by giving them movie titles!
ONE HIT WONDER
Tulips are available in an astounding variety of shapes, sizes and colors, but need replenishing every year or two to keep them performing reliably.
TWO WEEKS’ NOTICE
The average bloom period of spring-flowering bulbs is about 2 weeks. Combine earlier and later-blooming species to have continuous spring color in your garden.
(FUR)ENEMY AT THE GATE
If you’ve got rabbits and deer (which we fondly call “furenemies”) in your garden, consider planting Allium, Daffodil, Fritillaria, Scilla, Grape Hyacinth and Chinodoxia, which are bulbs they generally leave alone.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Plant enough bulbs so you’ll have enough flowers in your garden and for cutting. A freshly cut bouquet of spring blooms from your garden brightens any room, and also makes a delightful gift for a neighbor or friend.
A PLACE IN THE SUN
Sunny areas are great for bulbs. Tucking bulbs in groundcover, behind a row of perennials, or behind lower growing shrubs (tall bulbs) conceals the yellowing foliage that remain after your bulbs are done blooming. The leaves help develop next year’s flowers, so remove them only when they have turned completely yellow.
UNITED WE STAND
To create unity in your garden and achieve a natural look, plant the same bulbs in group instead of singles, or in single rows. Large bulbs like Allium and Fritillaria, however, can be planted in singles as an accent plant.
DEEP IMPACT
A general rule when planting your bulbs is to plant them about twice deep as they are wide. For this reason, minor bulbs like scilla are planted quite shallow, while larger bulbs like Globemaster Allium are planted much deeper.
THE DEPARTED
Deadhead (cut off) the spent flowers of your spring flowering bulbs to keep them from forming seed; doing this also helps them conserve energy for next year’s blooms.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
It’s a good idea to supervise very young children and pets when they are around plants; certain bulbs such as Daffodils, Hyacinths and Tulips are toxic if ingested.
GET SMART
Smart phones equipped with cameras and are making it very easy to document everything at any given time. Take photos of your entire garden next spring, during the key months of March, April and May, as the photographs will be a handy design reference later in the fall.
Our convenient bulb service delivers, arranges and installs high quality bulbs in your garden for a natural, aesthetically pleasing display each spring. Choose from these great selections.
