Buried Treasures

In the late winter and early spring, nothing is more satisfying than seeing the fresh green shoots and colorful flowers of bulbs emerge. Especially after a long, wet Pacific Northwest winter.

Fall is the time to plant bulbs. The soil is still soft enough for digging and the bulbs have all winter long to take root and thrive. As you get ready to put spade to dirt, keep these bulb-planting tips in mind:

1. Choose healthy bulbs.
 “When selecting bulbs, look for firm bulbs with uniform color,” explains Paul Dever, Molbak’s bulb buyer. “Avoid mold or soft spots, and consider size too. Bigger bulbs produce bigger blooms. They may cost a little more, but it’s worth it for the powerful impact the large blooms make in the garden.”

2. Location. Location. Location.
Most bulbs prefer full sun and rich, well-draining soil. This may be found in a container garden, under a spring deciduous tree, in a field, or in between perennials in beds and borders. If your garden is short on sunshine, consider crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths which will flower in partial shade. Proper drainage is also crucial since bulbs may rot in wet conditions, so be sure to add compost if you need to improve drainage in your soil.

3. Plant a variety of bulbs for long-lasting beauty.
To keep bulbs blooming in your yard for months on end, plant an assortment of early, middle and late spring bloomers. Early season bloomers include: snowdrops, crocus; some daffodils, tulips and muscari. Mid-season bloomers include: most daffodils, hyacinth, scilla, chiondoxa; some tulips and muscari. Late season bloomers include: most tulips, anemones, and some daffodils.

4. Plant in groups.
To create an eye-catching show of blooms, plant bulbs in groups. For smaller spaces, consider grouping 6-12 bulbs together, in larger areas, 12-24 bulbs will do the job. For added visual interest and longer bloom periods, also try layering bulbs, and planting bulbs that produce blooms of varying heights. (You can find information on bloom times and expected heights on the bulb packaging.)

5. Pointed side up.
Carefully read the instructions provided on planting depth and be sure to plant the pointed end right side up. If you aren’t sure which end is up, place the bulb on its side and it will right itself. When planting bulbs in the ground, mix bulb food into the soil to ensure a healthy plant.

Try these ideas for a fresh look in the garden:

• Plant miniature daffodils and scilla in the rock garden for a great combo.
• Mix daffodils and alliums in with ornamental grasses for early color and summer color.
• Layer daffodils, tulips, crocus and grape hyacinths into a large container and put in a sunny location for portable spring color.
• Naturalize crocus, scilla, fritillaria or miniature daffodils in your lawn. (Choose early season blooming bulbs, so when it’s time to mow you’ve already enjoyed their blooms.)
• Plant some tulips in the back of the garden just for cutting.
• Cut Casa Blanca or Stargazer lilies, hyacinths and freesia and bring in the house and before long the rooms will be filled with wonderful scents.

Once bulbs have finished their show in the garden, overplant with annuals. This helps to hide the fading bulb foliage and is a great way to keep the garden alive with color. Bulbs can be an easy, low-maintenance addition to the garden, and most will return with brilliant blooms, year after year!