The Beauty of Flowering Bulbs

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For a formal bed of flowering bulbs, clear away topsoil—from a level area—to the bulbs' planting depth. Note the layer of mulch that helps to retain moisture and keeps mud off the flowers.
For a formal bed of flowering bulbs, clear away topsoil—from a level area—to the bulbs' planting depth. Note the layer of mulch that helps to retain moisture and keeps mud off the flowers.
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By planting different tulip varieties, you can enjoy a rainbow of colors all through April and May.
By planting different tulip varieties, you can enjoy a rainbow of colors all through April and May.
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Artful naturalizing makes your planting look as if Mother Nature had strewn the bulbs out.
Artful naturalizing makes your planting look as if Mother Nature had strewn the bulbs out.
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Iris can be hardly and colorful addition to your yard.
Iris can be hardly and colorful addition to your yard.
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Hyacinths, one of spring's earliest and sweetest-scented blossoms, are also good for winter forcing.
Hyacinths, one of spring's earliest and sweetest-scented blossoms, are also good for winter forcing.
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A bulb planter speeds the setting-out process.
A bulb planter speeds the setting-out process.
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Daffodils defy late frosts.
Daffodils defy late frosts.
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To add nice spots of color ti your yard, you can dig small beds or closely spaced individual holes.
To add nice spots of color ti your yard, you can dig small beds or closely spaced individual holes.

There’s nothing quite so welcome after a long, bleak winter as small crocuses pushing up through the newly thawed earth, bright yellow daffodils defying late frosts, or proud tulips bursting forth throwing living rainbows across the sleeping landscape. And all of these delightful harbingers of spring (plus many more) can reward any gardener who plants those remarkable storehouses of beauty: flowering bulbs.  

These thick, modified stems or roots (the group actually comprises corms, tubers, tuberous roots, and rhizomes as well as true bulbs) allow their plants to be food self-sufficient while the feeder roots have time to develop. Therefore, even no-luck gardeners who try growing bulbs can to produce a beautiful flower crop at least for one season. However, if you take the time to cultivate bulbs with care, you’ll be delighted at the wonderful ease with which you can make your yard continue to burst forth in ever-multiplying blooms, year after year.

Judicious Choices

Folks who want bulbs that can be planted with little work (and anticipated with little worry) should begin by growing hardy types, which can survive cold winters in the ground. This category includes some of our most beautiful flowers: narcissus (the family name for hundreds of daffodils and jonquils), tulip, crocus, allium, anemone, camassia, lily of the valley, grape hyacinth, snowdrop, iris, snowflake, a large number of lilies …and many less-well-known blooms.

Hall-hardy bulbs–hyacinth, amaryllis, canna, cyclamen, and gladiolus, for example–will need to be covered with layers of mulch (the depth will depend upon the harshness of the winter) if they’re to survive outdoors in a cold climate. And the tender (but very beautiful) types such as kaffir lily, cooperia, sparaxis, and heavily scented freesia may have to be taken up each year. (In mild climates, most bulbs can be treated as hardy or half-hardy …as can even especially tender varieties in areas without frosts.)

  • Published on Sep 1, 1981
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