What is your favorite flower? For over twenty years that place in my heart has been dominated by tulips and daffodils. I am enamored with the simple elegance and vibrant colors of tulips. While sturdy daffodils shake-off the winter cold for their perennial appearance.
Tulips are a garden classic, large vibrant blooms are impossible to resist. Tulips should be treated like an annual – as they rarely produce flowers in the second year or beyond. Species tulips (varieties that have not been heavily hybridized and are closer to their wild ancestors) tend to flower more reliably. They are diminutive in size and some types have a wonderful fragrance.
I must admit that with time daffodils have pulled ahead in the race for my heart. They are truly perennial producing effervescent flowers year-after-year. Many of the smaller varieties are fragrant including the intoxicatingly fragrant Cheerfulness-type double daffodils.
Crocus is another type of spring flowering bulb that I adore. Crocus is short and robust. They are the little Napoleons of the bulb world, small in stature but proud and loyal, they will salute you for years to come with their steadfast colors.
Hyacinths are a powerhouse of fragrance. They too should be treated as annuals. However I cannot resist the urge of planting up a pot of them every year to set by the front door. For a hyacinth that has staying power try grape hyacinths. They are not fragrant but are very hardy little perennials that require no input for outstanding performance. In addition they can tolerate a wide variety of difficult sites including shade and dry soils. They are deer resistant too.
Planting in the Ground
If planting in the ground choose a site with loose well-drained soil and the appropriate light for the specific type of bulb. If you have poor soil (clay or sand) add a high quality compost. Dig a hole to the appropriate depth (listed on the package). Throw some Bone Meal or Bulb Fertilizer in the bottom of the hole and scratch it around. Place the bulb on top, pointy end up (bulbs point to the sky) cover with the soil-compost mix.
Where squirrels or moles are prevalent consider putting bulbs in a wire mesh cube or adding crushed oyster shells (available at any feed store) at planting. Digging animals don’t like the feel of the shells and stop digging. Deer can be a nuisance too, it is best to stick to deer resistant types (denoted DR in side column) if you have deer in the area.
Potting Bulbs
Spring bulb displays in pots are the best way to maximize impact. Bulbs bloom for a very specific time so it’s best to combine them for a season-long display of color – as one fades another is just opening.
All bulbs are divided into early, mid or late blooming. Choose a type of bulb from each category. Once the bulbs have been chosen, pot them in a broad, shallow pot (though any pot with drainage holes will do). Using a high quality potting soil add a layer of soil to the bottom of the pot and plant the bulbs to their approximate depth layering soil and bulbs as necessary. Bulbs may be placed as close as possible without actually touching their neighbors - pack them in tight. Cover the bulbs with soil and add Bulb Fertilizer or Bone Meal at the last layer. Winter interest plants can be planted on top or mulch can be added. Place the pot outdoors where rain can water it and wait. You will have a spring-long display of vibrant color.
Bulbs are an easy way to bring color and drama to your landscape. The purest and most sublime joy of my life occurs in spring when these bulbs come to life. Their vivid colors whisper to one’s soul, do not abandon hope, spring is coming, so plant some bulbous beauty now.
