Favorite Bulbs for New Year Garden Colors

If a garden is producing a fine display of spring color from bulbs planted during the previous year it is most likely to be situated in a temperate zone. Temperate zones are where the summers are warm and the winters are cool, where a certain amount of frost and possibly snow can be expected, even for a short time each year. Bulbs need twelve to fifteen weeks of a cool dormant period each winter to perform at their best and as bulbs can start blooming as early as Christmas it is wise to consider planting some winter bulbs.

Winter Bulbs

Winter bulbs are particularly welcome so having some planted close to the house, or at least in view from the main windows, is a good idea and some favorites are:

• Winter Aconites. 4″High. Looking like buttercups they can brighten any day. Plant in the fall, in any soil type and in the sun or shade.

• Crocus. 4″High. The crocus is ideal for growing at the front of flower beds, in crevices in rockeries and for naturalizing into grassy banks. Available in many colors, yellow, white, lilac and most popular of all, mauve. A mixed planting is a spectacular sight from a kitchen window. If planted in grass delay mowing until the foliage has died down.

• Snowdrops. 4″High. Delicate white drops of snow on a slim green stalk from a bulb which will grow in any soil just like the aconite. For naturalizing, aconites and snowdrops should be lifted and transplanted just after flowering.

Early Spring Bulbs

To follow on from the common snowdrop and to lead into early spring bloom plant the “Spring Snowflake” which grows about 6-8inches tall and blooms from early spring until early summer. Other early spring bulbs are:

• Dwarf Narcissus. 8″High. ‚”February Gold” is a good choice. It is similar to the original daffodil and being a little bit taller it looks well planted with the early winter bulbs above. Plant in the fall.

• Daffodils. Up to 24″High. A host of golden daffodils are available in a vast range of colors, yellow, white, gold, apricot and mixed. Plant in the fall and once the flowering has ended resist the temptation to knot the foliage for neatness, this will prevent essential nutrients getting to the bulb which will already be starting the flowering process all over again.

• Grape Hyacinth. 10″High. This lovely blue flower, which isn’t a hyacinth at all, will grow in most soils and will bloom in March. Plant in the fall and they will tolerate even severe winters.

Late Spring Bulbs

Tulips are the most popular late spring bulbs and they grow between 8″ to 30″ high. So with a breathtaking range of colors available, plus single and double blooms and heights to suit every situation the only problem is choosing which one for where. Some favorites are:

• Beauty Queen. Pink/Salmon, tall stem, flowers mid-season.

• Oscar. Deep red, 2 ft. tall, flowers mid to late season.

• Golden Parade. Classic yellow, over 2ft. tall and blooms in late spring.

The largest tulip bulbs will give the largest flowers. Plant the bulbs in light sandy soil and sunshine. Because of their eventual height protect from strong winds and for some prized two-tone beauties like ‚”Burning Heart”, at 30″ tall staking with light bamboo canes is advised. Also protect all tulip bulbs from slugs by using commercial slug pellets.

Eye-catching Focal Plants

For eye-catching focal plants on a patio start with a planting of spring bulbs in a large terracotta pot and a mixed planting is best. Begin the planting with large tulip bulbs for late blooming. Follow this with dwarf narcissus for mid-season bloom and finish the planting with crocuses and snowdrops for early spring flowers.

These popular bulbs are ideal for winter planting to ensure spring blooms. Spring bulbs also naturalize perfectly underneath deciduous shrubs like Viburnum.