Fall Bulb Planting
By Bob Chapman
September is the month that gardeners purchase and plant bulbs knowing that their glorious blooms will herald the end of winter and the coming of spring. Planting bulbs is like putting a message in a bottle. People will get the message later, and there's no telling how many hearts you will touch with your efforts. But touch them you will, and the beauty of your bulbs will live on because of your caring.
Advantages of using bulbs in the garden.
Unlike many flowers, shrubs and trees, bulbs will grow happily in almost any soil. Plant your bulbs in full sun if possible. Add fertilizer only when you plant the bulbs. Watering them is usually not a problem. And many can be left in place and will bloom for years and years. And, after planting your bulbs in September, you can plant right over the taller growing species with colorful violas (in solid colors of yellow, blue, apricot, ruby red or white), pansies, alyssum or violets. These bulb covers (as they are called) will provide bright colors all season long in mild winter climates.
Take a look at the bulbs below and just imagine the color that your garden will have next spring when these bulbs bloom.
Daffodils. To many gardeners the King Alfred daffodil is what they think of when they hear the words "spring bulbs." The glorious yellow blooms nodding in the warm spring breezes are not soon forgotten. The King Alfred daffodil is just one of the many, many members of the narcissus family. It grows to 18 inches high and prefers full sun. Plant them 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart for a mass display.
Narcissus. Another member of the large family of narcissus. Early-blooming, growing to 12-18 inches high. Prefers full sun but will grow in part shade. Many color shades and combinations of petals and the prominent cup are available. Plant narcissus bulbs deep (to 6 inches) and about 6 inches apart. The "paper white" narcissus can be forced to bloom at Christmas-time making a nice addition to the holiday table.
Tulips. Tulips are another spring-time favorite featuring many colors, shades and forms of the flower. The very, very large tulip family has groupings based on appearance rather than strict botanical relationships. The Darwin tulip is probably the widest selling, featuring the typical flower shape. The blooms are square at the base but the tips of the petals are rounded. The flowers are often borne on stems that can grow to three feet. Blooms mid-season and prefers exposure to full sun but will grow in light shade. Colors range from pure white, yellow, orange, pink red, mauve, lilac, purple and maroon. Plant tulips about six inches deep and space them about six inches apart. Newer introductions feature fringed petals and variegated colorations.
Hyacinths. To most gardeners, the hyacinth is known as the bulb with the best fragrance. The fat 6-12" spikes of blooms appear early in the season in pure white, cream, buff, yellow, pink, salmon, red, blue and purple. Hyacinth must be planted in full sun. In mild winter climates hyacinth bulbs must be dug at the end of the season and stored in brown paper bags in a cool location. In late August in early September place the bag of bulbs in the crisper section of the fridge for six weeks to set the buds and then planted.
Crocus. The very first to bloom in early spring! These low-growing bulbs (to six inches high) are the harbingers of wondrous things to come in the bulb world. Crocus bulbs are available in shades of orange, yellow, cream, white, lavender, blue and purple. Plant these bulbs 2-3 inches deep and 3-4 inches apart in full sun in mild winter climates, in part shade elsewhere.
Freesia. These bulbs (really corms) bloom in early spring and their many colors (all except green) brighten a dark corner of the garden. The long stems (1-1/2 feet) support the trumpet-shaped, fragrant 2 inches long and 2 inches wide flowers. Freesia sprays are excellent cut flowers, the perfume wafts through the room. Plant the corms only 2 inches deep and about 2 inches apart in full sun or part shade. They can remain in place several years before needing lifting and dividing.
Anemones. Also known as "windflowers," these delightful bright and cheerful tubers feature clear, vivid colors in their two-inch-wide flowers. The flowers are borne on 18 inch stems and are found in solid reds, purples, pinks, blues and whites. There are strains that feature semi- or double blossoms. Plant them only 1-2 inches deep in full sun, part shade or light shade and about six inches apart.
Scilla. These bulbs produce violet, blue, lilac pink and white bell-shaped flowers in late winter or early spring borne on leafless stems. They grow from 3 to 12 inches high and prefer full sun. Plant the bulbs 2-4 inches deep and about four inches apart for a fantastic display next spring.
Ranunculus. The 3-inch-wide flowers of these popular tubers are found a wide range of colors including pink, red, orange, yellow, cream, white and multicolored varieties. Hybridizers have developed double and semi- double varieties. They are great for cut flowers, growing on stems that can reach 12 inches long. Plant ranunculus only 1-2 inches deep and with the prongs pointing downward. They thrive in full sun. Remove faded blooms to encourage continuous bloom.
Dutch iris. Stunning is the word for Dutch iris when in bloom. The flowers are 3-4 inches across carried on stiff stems 1½-2 feet long, making them very desirable for cut flower use. They are available in bright clear blue, white, purple, mauve, bronze, yellow and orange. You can also find Dutch iris in bicolored blooms. The flowers appear in March and April. Plant them in full sun 4 inches deep and 3-4 inches apart. They will not need digging up for years.
Ixiolirion tataricum
These natives of central Asia bear their delightful flowers on 12 inch stems that arise from the narrow green leaves. The blue-violet clusters feature blossoms that are 1 ½ inches wide. The six petals each have a distinctive darker central line, adding to its beauty. Plant these bulbs 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart. These hardy bulbs do not need any moisture in the summer but will grow well with a moderate amount.
Muscari "Grape Hyacinth"
Although many gardeners are quite familiar with the popular Hyacinth the grape hyacinth has a more modest display. It more than makes up for the lack of the large flowers of the Hyacinth by producing a profusion of blooms. The Muscari grows from 8 to 18 inches high and is one of the earliest of the bulbs to bloom. The fragrant blossoms are found in blue, white, lilac and greenish brown. Plant these bulbs 2 inches deep and 3 inches apart. Grape hyacinths are excellent for naturalizing, as they will spread easily from bulbs and seed, making a delightful carpet of color. They will grow in sun or light shade.
Fritillaria "Fritillary"
These bulbs will grow from a few inches high up to four inches to three feet high depending on the variety. The variety ‘Fritillaria imperialis' is the ultimate show stopper. This bulb sends up a thick stalk up to 3-4 feet with about half of the stem clothed in whorls of 6-inch lance-shaped leaves. At the top of the stem is a cluster of drooping bell-shaped 2 inch-wide flowers, each cluster featuring a ‘crown' of small leaves. The more common varieties are much shorter and feature flowers in yellow, white, dark maroon, dark purple and lilac. Plant the Fritillaries 3-5 inches deep, depending on the variety and in light shade. Space the larger-growing ones 12 inches apart, the others about 6 inches apart.
Ornithogalum arabicum "Chincherinchee" or "Star of Bethlehem"
Foot-tall stems bear the incredibly pure white 2 inch-wide, fragrant blossoms of this bulb. The green, grass-like leaves will grow to 12 inches high. Living happily in full sun or part shade, this easy to care for bulb can spread, making it a good bulb for naturalizing. Plant the bulbs three inches deep and 3-4 inches apart. Dig and divide only when a loss of vigor is noted, meaning that the clump has become overcrowded.