By Pam Erikson/Special to 91原创 Advance Times
September and October are the perfect months to plant bulbs that will brighten your early spring, after what is predicted to be another brutal winter.
Today, I鈥檓 giving you a list of which bulbs we particularly enjoy.
In order to achieve the best results from your bulbs, they should be planted as soon as you get them.
If you are storing for a couple of weeks, put them in a dry, cool, and dark place 鈥� but keep in mind that the sooner you plant, the more success you will have.
The soil temperatures are usually cooler by mid September, which is perfect for them. We highly recommend all bulbs to be in the ground before the end of October.
The same rules apply for all fall bulbs 鈥� make sure you are selecting an area that is well drained; be sure to turn over the soil so it is nice and loose, add some 2-9-6 bulb food to the planting area, plant, cover and water in.
If you are planting in containers, the most important factor is again the soil mix 鈥� lots of perlite should be in the mix to pull the moisture away from the bulbs during the very wet weather.
TULIPS AND NARCISSUS 鈥� Both tulips and narcissus should be planted about 5 to 6 inches deep, and about 3 to 4 inches between each bulb. Remember that a sunny location is best for both tulips and narcissus, but partial sun is fine too as long as there is good light.
HYACINTHS 鈥� We plant hyacinths a little deeper, usually about 6 inches deep and about 4 to 5 inches apart, as they are usually good sized bulbs. Of course, if you are planting in containers or in a smaller space, you can plant closer together 鈥� but just keep in mind you will have to separate every few years if they get too crowded. They also enjoy a sunny-to-part sunny location.
CROCUS 鈥� These are smaller bulbs so plant about 2 to 3 inches deep and about 3 inches apart. These look great mass planted and do multiply well. Crocus do well in full sun to part shade.
FRITILLARIA 鈥� Plant between 3 to 6 inches deep and 5 to 6 inches apart, depending on the variety. Full sun to part shade is fine 鈥� and a bonus for these bulbs is that deer do not like them.
ALLIUMS 鈥� Since the many varieties of alliums range in size from fist-sized to miniscule, planting depth is at your discretion 鈥� but between 4 to 8 inches deep is recommended and 4 to 8 inches apart. If you have a larger bulb, like the Globemaster, then go the 8 inches deep and 8 inches apart. Smaller bulbs like Sphaerocephalon (the drumstick allium) are normally planted about 3 to 4 inches deep. Alliums love full sun, so try to find a good open space for them but they also do very well with dappled light under trees.
CHIONODOXA 鈥� This is a great bulb to deter rodents, rabbits, deer etc. Plant this small bulb in masses, about 3 inches deep and 2 to 3 inches apart. They grow well in full sun to part shade. They are adorable flowers, either blue or white, and it鈥檚 a real bonus on how they deter critters.
MUSCARI 鈥� The common grape hyacinth now comes in such a lovely array of colours 鈥� from white to pink to baby blue and even some two toned. They thrive in full sun to part shade, and do particularly well under deciduous trees, adding a lovely splash of colour in spring. Plant about 2 to 3 inches deep.
LEUCOJUM 鈥� A relative of the snow drop, but much larger, plant about 4 to 5 inches deep and 4鈥� inches apart in full sun as they love light. They range in size from 6 inches tall to more than a foot tall, and are very striking in the very early spring.
Next spring, when all bulbs are in bloom, feed again with a 2-9-6 bulb food to help them replenish for the next year.
Also be sure to leave the foliage intact until the plant has completely died back as this also feeds the bulb, regenerating its strength and helping multiply for years to come.
We recommend planting bulbs in and around perennials that will cover over the decaying bulb foliage in the spring, keeping your garden looking lovely.
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鈥� Pam Erikson is owner of Erikson鈥檚 Daylily Gardens and Perennials and president of the 91原创 Garden Club.
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