Spring Bulb Planting Guide

Planting bulbs in fall will bring beautiful color in the spring.

In fall, the selection of bulbs available to chase away the winter doldrums next spring is almost overwhelming. There are bulbs to create a formal garden, a splash of color for wooded areas or unexpected miniature flowers dancing across the lawn. For a dramatic flower show that keeps on blooming, it is important to plant according to the color, height and flowering time of your bulbs.

Note the blooming period for each bulb variety. Plant shorter, early blooming bulbs among taller, late season flowers. The late bloomers will camouflage the withered foliage after the shorter flowers have faded.

Plant bulbs in groups of 12 or more for best impact.

Plant scattered clusters of early flowering bulbs like crocus or snowdrops throughout your lawn.

Experiment. Pick a flower on a whim and try a small planting. For example, a mix of ‘Apricot Beauty’ tulips with low-growing cobalt blue grape hyacinths. If it does well for you, add more next year.

We carry only top-sized bulbs from Holland. You can choose from hundreds of varieties of tulips and carcissus including Kaufmanniana and Fosteriana tulips for naturalizing and in rock gardens. Also, don’t forget crocus, hyacinths and specialty bulbs like allium and fritillaria.

     For Cutting: Anenome coronaria, Dutch Iris, Fritillaria, Grape Hyacinth, Narcissus, Scilla, Tulip

     For Fragrance: Double Daffodils, Freesia, Hyacinth

     To Repel Garden Pests:  Alliums, Fritillaria, Grape Hyacinth, Narciussus, Scilla

     For Poor Soil: Tulip Dasystemon Tarda

Planting Tips:

• You will get better results if you plant when there is a month of 40+ degree soil temperature (mid September to mid October in our area). This allows the bulbs to set strong roots that will give you better blooms.
• Fertilize bulbs when you plant them using compost, bulb food, dried blood, or bone meal. Cover the planting area with 2-3 inches of compost.
• With some bulbs it's difficult to tell the top from the bottom. The skin is loose at the top and attached at the bottom. If you can't tell, just plant them sideways!
• To deter moles, voles, and squirrels, ring the planting area witha mixture of soil and gravel or put small chicken wire between the bulbs and the soil surface. A hot pepper based spray will also be affective in deterring animals.
• Plant bulbs 2-3 times deeper for naturalizing varieties.