How to Plan a Bulb Garden

Lawn & Garden

Many people believe that the flowering season only lasts from late spring to early fall, but it can actually go on much longer. There are numerous plants that bloom throughout the “off season.” While a few of these are shrubs, most of them are robust bulbs. This article will explore planning a bulb garden, defining bulbs, and explaining bulb tubers and rhizomes.

Bulb Gardens Image Gallery

Bulbs are intriguing plants. While other plants go dormant during winter, bulbs grow actively underground. In winter, they send their roots deep into the soil and start to sprout. Then, in early spring, while other plants are just starting to awaken, bulbs burst into bloom. When the sun is abundant in summer, other plants enjoy their prime, but bulbs lose their leaves and become completely dormant.

Bulbs are usually planted in other flower beds. Miniature ones can be found in rock gardens, while tulips, narcissi, crocus, and lilies can be seen in almost every perennial border. But for those who love cultivating bulbs, nothing beats giving them their own garden. From the earliest bulbs of late winter and spring to the alliums of early summer, and a variety of lilies throughout summer to fall-flowering bulbs of autumn, one can have bulbs in bloom almost every month of the year.

Read on to learn about planning a bulb garden.

Want to know more about bulb gardens? Try these:

• Planting Bulbs: Learn how to plant bulbs in your garden.
• Bulb Garden Care: Find out the ins and outs of caring for a bulb garden.
• Tips for Growing Bulbs: Check out tips for growing these unique plants.
• Bulbs: Discover all you need to know about bulbs in this article.
• Bulb Gardens: Learn how bulbs can create a lovely garden.
• Gardening: We answer all of your general gardening questions in this section.

Planning the Bulb Garden

Any garden created to showcase bulbs needs special planning; otherwise, there will be brief bursts of flowering followed by long periods with no bloom.

Bulbs are classified according to their flowering season: late-winter and spring flowering, summer flowering, and fall flowering. Within each seasonal group, there are early, mid-season, and late bloomers. Among spring-flowering bulbs, for instance, late-winter flowering bulbs, such as snowdrops and Iris reticulata, are followed by early spring bulbs such as Dutch crocus and Siberian squill.

By mid to late season, bulbs like narcissi and tulips are blooming, followed by very late season bulbs like alliums. Within each bulb category, there are further divisions. Tulips, for example, come in early, mid-season, and late varieties. Similarly, among the summer bloomers, there are early, mid-season, and late lilies. In fact, a bulb garden composed entirely of lilies can bloom right through the summer if one is careful in selecting varieties.

Bulbs have the advantage of being adaptable compared to other plants in the garden. Although most bulbs thrive in full sun or light shade, their leaves usually sprout in early spring before deciduous trees and shrubs leaf out. This means that some bulbs, especially those that bloom in spring, can be grown successfully in areas that are mostly shady throughout the year. Bulbs can grow in almost any soil, although it is wise to add organic matter to poor soils.

The only thing bulbs cannot tolerate is waterlogged soil. If the chosen site stays moist or wet for long periods, it is advisable to plant bulbs in raised beds to ensure adequate drainage. Bulbs can also be easily grown in containers, provided that they are placed where they will not freeze solid during the winter.

Most hardy bulbs lose their leaves in early summer, so it is important to plan ahead to fill the gaps. Clusters of perennials and annuals, for example, can be interplanted among groups of bulbs. Ground covers and bulbs also complement each other very well: bulbs can grow right through the ground cover, bloom, and then disappear from sight until the following year. It is best to choose an open, shallow-rooted ground cover to minimize competition with the bulbs.

Bulbs look best planted in groups rather than randomly scattered throughout the garden or planted in straight rows. Clusters of at least 3 to 5 large bulbs, such as lilies, 7 to 10 medium-sized bulbs, such as tulips, narcissi, or hyacinths, and 12 or more small bulbs, such as crocuses or Siberian squills, are preferable. Mixing bulbs should be avoided, as they rarely give an interesting display. Spaces should be left between each cluster of bulbs to interplant ground covers, annuals, or perennials, which will help cover up the foliage of the bulbs as they fade.

Tall-growing bulbs are usually planted at the back of the border or in the middle of the bed, with smaller bulbs in front and medium-high ones in between. However, it is also possible to grow bulbs of all sizes in a single space. Tall bulbs need deep planting, so they should be put in first. Then add a layer of soil, and place medium-high bulbs directly over them; finally, another layer of soil and then small bulbs. Since small bulbs flower first, the same spot will offer a succession of bloom. A good combination would be early crocuses, midseason hyacinths, and late tulips.

Massive formal plantings of spring bulbs, as commonly seen in public gardens, are also possible in the home garden but require some effort. In such cases, a hundred or more of the same bulb may be required to fill the bed. After blooming, either treat the bulbs as temporary visitors by composting them and replanting the bed with summer flowers, or remove the fading bulbs to an out-of-the-way spot where they can ripen. They can then be replanted in the formal bed the following autumn after the summer flowers have finished their display.

The most beautiful bulb gardens are often naturalized plantings, rather than formal beds or mixed borders. In such cases, bulbs are chosen to suit the present conditions and are then planted permanently so they seem to have always been part of the landscape. In such cases, the elaborately colored, fully double hybrid varieties are usually forsaken for bulbs that more closely resemble wildflowers. Bulbs that are inherently tough and spread on their own are ideal choices.

When creating a naturalized garden, it’s best to avoid rigidly formal plantings. Instead, a popular method is to toss bulbs into the air and plant them wherever they land. Another option is to lay out a garden hose in an irregular pattern, resembling a meandering stream, and plant bulbs within the limits of the hose.

Bulbs are an excellent choice for gardeners who enjoy multiplying plants. They tend to increase in number on their own, and disturbing a bulb will often yield numerous bulbs of various sizes. The larger bulbs can be replanted immediately and will bloom the following year, while the smaller ones can be grown in an out-of-the-way spot until they reach flowering size. Naturalized bulbs will also multiply prolifically, although it may take some time for seedlings to reach flowering size. Rhizomes, tubers, and tuberous roots can also be divided by cutting them into sections, as long as each section has at least one eye.

This discussion has primarily focused on hardy bulbs, but there are also a variety of tender bulbs that are only hardy in the warmest parts of the United States. In other areas, they are typically treated as annuals or dug up and stored indoors in a cool, dry, and frost-free spot over the winter.

If you’re interested in learning more about bulb gardens, be sure to check out the resources listed below. In the next section, we’ll define different types of bulbs.

Want more information about bulb gardens? Try these:

• Planting Bulbs: Learn how to plant bulbs in your garden.
• Bulb Garden Care: Find out the ins and outs of caring for a bulb garden.
• Tips for Growing Bulbs: Check out tips for growing these unique plants.
• Bulbs: Discover all you need to know about bulbs in this article.
• Bulb Gardens: Learn how bulbs can create a lovely garden.
• Gardening: We answer all of your general gardening questions in this section.

Bulb Definitions

Although gardeners often refer to any plant with an underground storage organ as a bulb, there are actually many different categories. True bulbs consist of modified leaves attached to a flat basal plate that surround the following season’s bud. Some true bulbs, like tulips and narcissi, are surrounded by a papery outer tunic, while others, like lilies and fritillarias, have fleshy scales covering the bulb.

Corms resemble bulbs on the outside, with a flat basal plate and a papery tunic. However, when cut open, they reveal a solid starchy interior stem. Crocuses are an example of typical corms.

In the final section, we’ll define tubers and rhizomes.

Looking for more information about bulb gardens? Here are some resources:

• Planting Bulbs: A guide on how to plant bulbs in your garden.
• Bulb Garden Care: Tips on how to care for a bulb garden.
• Tips for Growing Bulbs: Advice on how to grow these unique plants.
• Bulbs: An article that covers everything you need to know about bulbs.
• Bulb Gardens: Learn how to create a beautiful garden with bulbs.
• Gardening: Answers to your general gardening questions can be found in this section.

Understanding Tubers and Rhizomes

Tubers and rhizomes have similarities to true bulbs and corms, but also have some notable differences.

A tuber is a modified stem with a starchy interior but no basal plate or tunic. Both roots and shoots grow from the same growth buds, known as eyes. The potato is an example of a tuber. Tuberous roots are similar to tubers but are actually swollen roots. Dahlias produce tuberous roots.

Rhizomes are thickened underground stems that grow horizontally and sprout new sections as they go. The bearded iris (Iris germanica) is a typical example of a rhizome.

Looking for more information about bulb gardens? Here are some resources:

• Planting Bulbs: A guide on how to plant bulbs in your garden.
• Bulb Garden Care: Tips on how to care for a bulb garden.
• Tips for Growing Bulbs: Advice on how to grow these unique plants.
• Bulbs: An article that covers everything you need to know about bulbs.
• Bulb Gardens: Learn how to create a beautiful garden with bulbs.
• Gardening: Answers to your general gardening questions can be found in this section.

FAQ

1. What is a bulb garden?

A bulb garden is a type of garden that is planted with bulbs of various flowering plants. These bulbs are planted in the fall and will bloom in the spring. They are a great way to add color and variety to your landscape.

2. When is the best time to plant a bulb garden?

The best time to plant a bulb garden is in the fall, before the ground freezes. This allows the bulbs to establish roots before winter and they will be ready to bloom in the spring when the weather warms up.

3. How do I choose which bulbs to plant in my garden?

You should choose bulbs based on your personal preference and the growing conditions in your area. Some popular bulbs for bulb gardens include tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths. Make sure to choose bulbs that will thrive in your climate and soil type.

4. How deep should I plant my bulbs?

The depth at which you should plant your bulbs will vary depending on the type of bulb. As a general rule, you should plant bulbs at a depth that is three times the height of the bulb. For example, if you have a bulb that is two inches tall, you should plant it six inches deep.

5. How far apart should I plant my bulbs?

The spacing between bulbs will depend on the size of the bulb. As a general rule, you should plant bulbs about two to three times their width apart. This will allow them to grow and bloom without overcrowding each other.

6. How do I care for my bulb garden after planting?

After planting your bulb garden, you should water it thoroughly. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Once the bulbs start to sprout, you can fertilize them with a bulb-specific fertilizer. After they have finished blooming, allow the foliage to die back naturally before removing it.

7. Can I plant other plants in my bulb garden?

Yes, you can plant other plants in your bulb garden as long as they do not compete with the bulbs for nutrients and sunlight. Some good options include groundcovers, annuals, and perennials.

8. How can I extend the blooming season of my bulb garden?

You can extend the blooming season of your bulb garden by planting bulbs that bloom at different times. For example, you could plant early blooming bulbs like crocuses, mid-season bulbs like daffodils, and late-season bulbs like alliums. This will ensure that you have a colorful display throughout the spring.