If you want a beautiful garden full of tulips, daffodils and other bulbs this spring, you must plant them now in the fall. Many bulbs require a cold period (winter) before they can produce a flower, so as you remove your summer annuals, take a moment to dig a little deeper and plant your bulbs.

Spring Blooming Bulbs

Where to Plant?

Plant bulbs where you will enjoy seeing them in the spring; think garden beds in front of your house or outside the kitchen window. Another idea is to plant somewhere out of sight that you can use as a cutting garden. Then you’ll have your own little stash to cut from and enjoy inside your home.

Planting Bulbs

How Deep?

The depth at which you should plant your bulb depends entirely on the bulb. Read each package carefully and use a bulb planter or measuring tape to make sure you plant to the proper depth. A good rule of thumb is to plant bulbs twice as deep as their size.

Regina Morrow, Hicks Nurseries’ garden care buyer, suggests you plant bulbs in the same manner you would layer a lasagna. “The idea is that larger bulbs are planted deeper, and smaller ones layered above. In this way you can have an area where snowdrops and crocus start the show, with hyacinths or daffodils taking over as they fade, and a final explosion of alliums which will mix happily with the perennials as they start to wake up and color your garden.”

Bulb Planting Tips
  • Read the package. Every type of bulb has a depth to which it should be planted.
  • Plant bulbs with the pointy end facing up.
  • Fertilize with a bulb fertilizer at the time of planting and again in early spring.

 

Selection

Long gone are the days of only planting red tulips and yellow daffodils. There is now a huge selection of colors, shapes and sizes available. Try something different!

 

Crocus bloom in early spring and are a great option for those who prefer a more natural look to their garden, as they tend to multiply rapidly and grow in almost any garden location.

 

Hyacinth

Hyacinth are known for their rich fragrance, making them a great option for along a walkway or near an entryway.

 

Allium

Allium are giant balls of purple flowers that bloom atop tall green stalks. Not only do they make a great cut flower they also give a whimsical feel to the garden.

 

Purple Muscari

Purple Muscari also known as grape hyacinth, bloom for a long time in the garden and look really striking when planted with pink tulips or yellow daffodils.

 

Daffodil

Daffodils are more popular than ever. In addition to the traditional colors and varieties, now you can find double flowering hybrid varieties.

 

Now is the time to dream up your spring garden and plant your bulbs before winter sets in. Have fun with it –  there are literally hundreds of options available to you. Remember, you are limited only by your own imagination.

 

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Bulb Care