Plant Bulbs Now to Have a Colorful Spring Garden
When it comes to planting fall bulbs, there are a few things you’ll need to know. Try out these tips this fall, and you should have lots of beautiful blooms next spring!
As you are planting bulbs, there are a few things to remember. First, make sure that you choose a spot with at least six hours of sunlight. When you are ready to plant, the general rule of thumb is to plant a bulb three times as deep as the bulb is tall, making sure the pointy part is facing upwards.
You don’t want to simply dig a hole and plant the bulb. Be sure to prepare by removing weeds and loosening the soil. It is also a good idea to add compost for nutrients or sand for drainage before you plant.
Not all bulbs should be planted in the fall. Dahlias and gladiolus should be planted in the spring, for instance, while daffodils and tulips do well when planted in late summer or early autumn. Here is the rule of thumb: If you are planting a bulb that blooms in the spring, plant it in the fall. For bulbs that bloom early summer or later, plant them in the spring.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis bulbs are easy enough to grow indoors, and just as easy to grow in the garden. They perform well in beds, borders, or containers outside. These plants look exceptionally attractive when planted in groups. Best of all, amaryllis bulbs are deemed resistant to both deer and many rodents.
Asiatic Lilies
Plant these bulbs in fall, a few weeks before the winter brings freezing temperatures. Plant the bulbs three times as deep as the height of the bulb, with the flat end down, then mulch lightly to retain moisture. Place in a location away from browsing deer, they are edible and deer love them!
Calla Lilies
Calla lilies are easy to grow in the garden and containers. As cut flowers, they can last up to two weeks. The flowers, along with their green, often speckled foliage, are stunning in the sunny garden or containers.
Calla Lilies do not generally require too much attention. They prefer to be located in full sun or partial shade in warmer climates.
Daffodils
Daffodils are some of the easiest plants to grow. The deer-resistant bulbs are simply put in the ground in early fall; then the sunshine-yellow flowers emerge at winter’s end! Daffodils are suitable for planting between shrubs or in a border, or for forcing blooms indoors. Daffodils make for great springtime cut flowers.
Gladiolus
Gladiolus prefer well-drained and even sandy soil. They also like sunny locations. You will want to plant the gladiolus deeper than usual because they have a tall sheaf of leaves. This will help anchor them against strong winds that might blow them over to the ground.
Naked Lady
A gorgeous flower with many identities: Belladonna Lily, Naked Ladies, or Belladonna Amaryllis, this plant produces green, leafy growth that emerges in spring and dies back by mid summer. In late summer, leafless stems produce elegant, pink flowers.
