The arrival of autumn signals the beginning of flower bulb planting season. Tulips, daffodils, narcissus, freesias, hyacinths and many other spring-blooming bulbs should be planted now. A little time spent in the garden this month will ensure a wealth of color in the spring.
Few plants are easier to care for than bulbs. To get bulbs established, dig a small hole, sprinkle some bulb food or bone meal in the hole, drop in the bulb, and cover with rich soil. It is not necessary to do much else. A blanket of cool season annuals such as pansies, violas, or alyssum planted above the bulbs will give color to the garden until the bulbs germinate and grow through the covering in the spring. Winter rains will water the dormant bulbs sufficiently and additional water is only necessary after the plants are growing in the spring. Bulbs will grow and bloom in almost any sunny location in your garden.
When planting a bulb garden, consider the height of the bulb at the time of bloom. One of the tallest of the spring blooming bulbs are Bearded Iris. The spectacular bloom spikes of the Bearded Iris can reach up to a height of three feet. They are one of the best spring blooming bulbs for our mild winter climate and come in shades of white, pink, blue, purple, gold and salmon. Iris should be planted in the background, with medium sized bulbs planted in front.
Small-growing bulbs for planting in the foreground include crocus and grape hyacinth. There are dozens of medium-height bulbs, which may be planted almost anywhere in the garden.
In addition to spring color, many bulbs will fill the garden with fragrance. Freesias are one of the most fragrant bulbs, and will bloom for weeks on end, year after year. Freesias bloom in shades of white, pink, red, salmon, purple and blue. Narcissus are another fragrant flowering bulb and blossom in shades of white and yellow. They grow to a height of about twelve inches. Fragrant hyacinths bloom in shades of blue, yellow, white, purple and pink. They can be grown indoors and are often forced into early bloom using hyacinth vases.
When the bulbs have completed their bloom cycle, the foliage should be left to die back naturally on the plant. Avoid the temptation to remove the foliage before it turns yellow. The foliage manufactures nutrients, which are then stored in the bulb for next year’s bloom. After the foliage dies, the bulb returns to dormancy and disappears underground until the next spring.
Most bulbs multiply in number and may naturalize after several years. Twelve daffodils planted this year will yield twenty-four plants next year. In two years, thirty-six plants will be blooming where the first twelve were planted! With this return on investment, who could resist the call to clear an area in the garden for bulb planting this fall.
For additional information, consult the garden pros at Green Thumb Garden Center, 23734 San Fernando Road, Newhall.
