BULBS

The magic that results from planting bulbs appeals as much to the amateur as well as to the seasoned gardener. Use this easy guide and enjoy the rewards of color and variety over a very long season. An amazing array of bulbs waits for your enjoyment!

Selection: Color, Height, Blooming Period, Fragrance

Bulbs bloom in all colors so you can choose your favorite color combinations to create a dazzling floral display. Different bulbs bloom at different times, so you can have waves of blossoms from February to May with fall-planted, spring-blooming bulbs, and from June to November with spring-planted, summer- and fall-blooming bulbs. Let the height of the plant be your guide to placement; generally tall in back, short in front. You can highlight a favorite bloomer by placing a drift of tall growing bulbs among shorter ones. Plant fragrant bulbs near a spot you pass by frequently. When purchasing, select solid, heavy bulbs free of any mold.

Where to Plant: Sun or Shade; Beds, Borders or Naturalized

Planting beneath deciduous trees or in full sun provides the spring sunlight that so many bulbs need to produce beautiful, top quality blooms. Some bulb varieties prefer the shade found under evergreens or a bright northern exposure. In any location, good drainage is a must. Compost is a beneficial addition whether your soil is sandy or clayey.

You can fill a cultivated bed in your garden with a mixture of colors, or outline a pathway or small structure with a solid strip of color. You can combine bulbs with other plants, especially perennials, to create interesting mixed borders. Bulbs make their most spectacular show when planted in groups or clumps of 7 or more.

Some bulbs are particularly suited to “naturalizing” themselves, spreading by offsets to look like a natural part of the landscape. They are generally planted by scattering in random patterns and allowed to grow and increase without interference. Ideal places for naturalizing are edges of lawns, among trees and shrubs, and semi-wild spots that get only occasional mowing.

Even if you have no garden space you can still enjoy bulbs. They are conveniently well- suited for planting in containers of any kind. Brighten your outside deck or balcony with a brimming pot, or grow several types indoors in a sunny spot.

How to Plant and Care for Bulbs

The general rule for planting bulbs is to plant them at a depth 2 1/2 times the diameter of the bulb; fertilization with a complete bulb fertilizer is done at planting time. When bulbs begin to show growth each year, and when flowering has ended; after bloom, the foliage is still nourishing the bulb and should be removed or cut back only after it has yellowed.

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