Home » Misc » Best spring bulbs to plant

Best spring bulbs to plant


12 Bulbs to Plant in Spring for Showstopping Summer Blooms

istockphoto.com

Add drama to flower beds and patio containers with colorful summer flowering bulbs.

Depending on your planting zone, some summer flower bulbs may require a little more work than the typical spring bulb because they are tender perennials that won’t survive freezing temperatures. If you want them to bloom again next summer, you’ll have to dig them up in the fall and store them through the winter until spring, which is when to plant summer bulbs.

Summer blooming bulbs—including corms, rhizomes, and tubers—are worth the trouble. They’re fast growers that provide color, fragrance, or texture to the midsummer/early autumn garden when other flowers are done blooming or look a little leggy.

1. Gladiola (Gladiolus)

istockphoto.com

Glads, aka sword lilies, are great for adding height to the garden—and to flower arrangements. Blooms of 3 inches (minis) to 5 inches (giants) grow in columns on upright plants reaching 2 to 5 feet tall. Taller varieties benefit from staking. Plant the corms in well-draining soil in sunny locations once danger of frost has passed in the spring. The flowers are hardy in Zones 8 and higher, but in northern zones, gardeners have to dig them up in fall after the first frost. In between, they’ll produce flowers in colors ranging from white, pink, red, yellow, lavender to deep purple, burgundy, and some multi-color varieties.

Get 10 Gladiolus bulbs from CZGrain on Etsy for $12.98

2. Dahlia

istockphoto.com

Dahlias exhibit extensive variety, from the little 2-inch “lollipop” pompoms to giant 15-inch “dinner plate” blooms in a wide selection of vibrant colors. Shapes mimic the flower’s relatives, daisies, chrysanthemums, and zinnias. Colors cover the spectrum of the rainbow. Blooms start appearing in midsummer and last until frost. Many varieties grow 4 to 5 feet tall. Hardy in Zones 8 and above, Dahlia tubers should be planted when soil is warm in northern climes. They like full sun, well-draining soil, and protection from wind. They make excellent cut flowers.

Advertisement

Get a Labyrinth Informal Decorative Dalia Tuber from BloomingHillFarm on Etsy for $14.99

3. Freesia 

istockphoto.com

A favorite for their intense, sweet fragrance, freesias grow 12 to 24 inches high, producing arching stems with sprays of trumpet-shaped flowers that face upward. They can benefit from staking due to their tendency to “flop” over. Sequential blooming ensures flowers for 6 weeks or more. Jewel-tone colors include white, yellow, orange, scarlet, pink, royal blue, lavender, and bicolor. They come in single- or double-petaled flowers. Plant these summer-flowering bulbs full sun and well-draining soil when danger of frost has passed. They’re hardy in Zones 9 and 10.

Get 15 Freesia Single Bi-Color Bulbs from EasytoGrow on Etsy for $10.99

4. Lily (Lilium)

istockphoto. com

There are several kinds of lily: Asiatic, Oriental, Border, Orienpet, Double, Longiflorum (Easter lilies), some of which are fragrant. Large, showy flowers bloom on erect stems with narrow leaves. Lilies like to have their “head in the sun, their feet in the shade.” Their roots like to be cool and planted in well-draining soil. This bulb is hardy to Zone 4. Asiatic lilies come in numerous vivid colors and bloom in early summer. Oriental lilies bloom later, but are fragrant. Lilies are toxic to cats.

Get 3 Oriental Lily ‘Josephine’ bulbs from StrawberryIslandUS on Etsy for $12.95

5. Canna 

istockphoto.com

Also called Canna lilies, these towering, tropical-looking plants can easily grow 8 feet or more, creating a screen for your yard or garden. Pollinators love their lily-shaped flowers in red, orange, or yellow. Foliage is usually green, but can be maroon, bronze, or variegated. Plant these rhizomes in full sun. While they prefer well-draining soil, they also do well as a bog plant in water gardens. They thrive in the heat of high summer and will bloom until hard frost. Plant them in spring when the soil is warm.

Get a Canna Lover’s Bundle of 12 rhizomes from Razorsharpplants on Etsy for $51+

Advertisement

6. Elephant Ear (Colocasia, Alocasia, Xanthosoma)

istockphoto.com

If you want to make a big statement in your garden, plant an Elephant Ear, so named for its massive foliage size, with leaves up to 3 feet long and 2 feet wide. Whether used as a backdrop for other plantings or as a specimen plant, the Elephant Ear draws attention. These garden giants that come as bulbs, corms, or tubers, depending on the species, prefer partial shade but can tolerate full sun. Plant large tubers in rich, moist soil or in a bog garden after danger of frost has passed and bring them in for the winter in areas colder than Zone 8. They are toxic to animals and humans.

Get 6 Elephant Ears bulbs from blacksporegardens on Etsy for $14. 99

7. Begonia 

istockphoto.com

Brighten up a shady area of your garden with cheerful begonias. With more than 2,000 species, there’s a Begonia for everyone. Suited to containers or beds that are protected from the strong afternoon sun, plant tubers in well-draining soil; waterlogged soil can kill them. Available in bright red, pink, coral, yellow, and orange, they typically have large flowers on either green or bronze foliage. Some cascade, and some are upright. Most remain compact, making them an excellent choice for beds, borders, and containers. These prolific bloomers will last until frost.

Get 3 Begonia Cascade Mix bulbs from Lawness on Etsy for $8.95

8. Caladium (Caladium bicolor)

istockphoto.com

Who needs flowers to add color to a shady or semi-shady garden? Caladium grow to about 18 to 24 inches tall and exhibit dazzling patterned blends of green, white, pink, and red on their large heart-shaped or lance-shaped leaves that can grow 12 inches long. Hardy in Zones 9 to 11, these tubers should be planted in spring in northern climates and dug after the first frost in the fall. They are toxic if ingested.

Get 2, 4, or 6 Caladium bulbs from BuddeFarms on Etsy for $7.99+

9. Crocosmia 

istockphoto.com

Crocosmia features sprays of small trumpet-shaped flowers in fiery scarlet, red, orange, and yellow that bloom for 5 to 8 weeks—starting in mid- to late summer—on slender, strap-like leaves. For best flowering, plant the corms in full sun, except in hot regions, where semi-shade will benefit them. A favorite of pollinators, they are deer resistant. Growing to be 3 to 4 feet tall, with a spread of 12 to 18 inches, they make an impact when planted en masse, as a focal point, or scattered around to look naturalized in the garden. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9, they’ll need to be dug up in the fall in northern zones. The corms will need to be divided every few years.

Advertisement

Get 5 Crocosmia ‘Mixture’ bulbs from Plantworld on Etsy for $16. 95

10. Naked Lady (Amaryllis belladonna)

istockphoto.com

Naked Lady, aka Surprise Lily, Resurrection Lily, Magic Lily, or Jersey Lily, is a fun addition to the garden because of the flower stems’ sudden appearance, sans foliage, in mid-August. After their spring foliage has died back, stalks reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet arise, producing pale pink lily-shaped flowers that are fragrant. Hardy in Zones 7 to 10 (although commonly grown as a perennial as far north as Zone 4), Naked Ladies do best in full sun with well-draining soil. Deer resistant and drought tolerant, they are toxic to animals and humans. Still, they add a delightful surprise in the garden each summer, and also make good cut flowers.

Get a Rare Rose Hot Pink Naked Lady bulb from mardeross on Etsy for $22.99

11. Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

istockphoto.com

The elegant calla lily in classic, creamy white is a favorite for bridal bouquets, but it also comes in yellow, orange, pink, rose, lavender, and dark maroon. In contrast to the simple lines of its flowers, the calla’s sword-shaped foliage features white spots, making it a plant of interest in the garden. The rhizome should be planted in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Hardy in Zones 8 to 10, it grows 1 to 2 feet tall and blooms from midsummer to early fall for about 3 to 8 weeks. Calla lily is great in containers and as a specimen plant.

Get 2 Red Alert Calla Lily bulbs from flowersandbulbs386 on Etsy for $13.99

12. Liatris (Liatris spicata)

istockphoto.com

From small corms grow tall stalks of lavender-headed Liatris, also known as Blazing Star and Gayfeather. Hardy in Zones 3 to 9, Liatris blooms from summer to early fall, creating a wispy backdrop for smaller plants. Reaching heights of 2 to 4 feet tall, it features bottlebrush-shaped flower heads that produce tiny star-like blossoms. Grass-like leaves stay closer to the ground, letting the spires take the spotlight. Plant in well-draining soil and full sun. These versatile beauties are a great addition to both cottage and rock gardens.

Advertisement

Get 5 Purple & White Liatris corms from Born2Bloom on Etsy for $6.50

Best spring bulbs: 10 spring bulbs to grow, when and how

(Image credit: Pashley Manor Garden/ Kate Wilson)

Spring bulbs are a joyous sight, bringing life and color back to the garden after the long, cold months of winter.

There is a wonderful choice of flowering spring bulbs that will carry the floral display in your backyard all the way through the season into the colourful riot of summer, so they are one of the best backyard ideas. 

There are lots of ways you can add spring bulbs to your garden, whether they are used to plug the gaps in herbaceous borders as flower bed ideas, or planted in pots to enliven patios and courtyards. 

'Many spring bulbs will naturalize in turf, while ‘tulips, daffodils and most other bulbs do well in containers planted to 1 ½ times their depth,’ advises Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at RHS Garden Wisley .

'If you're feeling ambitious, you can can try planting layers of different bulbs, with perhaps Anemone blanda for early flowers, grape hyacinths for mid-season and late tulips for May,' adds Guy.

Best spring bulbs

If you can't bear to wait until spring for a burst of color, you could even learn how to force bulbs for a winter treat of the likes of hyacinths, grape hyacinths, narcissus or crocus.

1. Crocus

(Image credit: Torsten Sukrow/SULUPRESS.DE/DPA/PA Images)

For spring bulbs to plant you can't go wrong with crocuses. These are one of the first bulbs to brighten up lawns and are excellent for naturalizing in grass. 

'Crocus like full sun, suiting rockeries, raised beds and turf where they can persist for many years, especially the large Dutch crocus. They are also charming for pots on sunny patios, too,' says Guy Barter.

Plant them in well-draining soil and let the foliage die back completely after flowering. 

Crocuses will multiply once established, so to propagate them, dig up large clumps in fall and split them into smaller ones.

2. Snowdrops – galanthus

(Image credit: Charlie McCormick)

With their dainty flowers that carpet gardens from late winter through to spring, snowdrops are available in myriad varieties.

Once you know how to plant snowdrops you can learn to recognize and enjoy their many different sizes, shapes, markings and colorings.

'Snowdrops grow well under deciduous trees and shrubs and can persist and spread,' explains Guy Barter.

 3. Alliums

(Image credit: National Trust Images/ Paul Harris)

Alliums make an amazing spring bulb for late spring into early summer displays, and come in shades from cerise and purple through to white. 

'They are reliably perennial and will bulk up well in most herbaceous borders,' explains Jess Evans.

A classic is Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’, which will flower around May and grow to about 40 inches (100cm) tall. 'They go well in a mixed herbaceous border or are often grown with roses as part of rose garden ideas,' Jess adds.  

'One of my favourite alliums is Allium cristophii. This has huge flower heads and stands at about 23 inches (60cm) tall. It is an almost metallic lilac color and the flower heads can be dried for winter decorations if they are cut and dried after the flowers have lost their color but before they start to drop,' she explains. 

She advises that due to the size of the flower heads they should be grown with plants that are low growing to get the best out of the flower head size. 

'Some of the taller flowering alliums tend to have long blue-green leaves that can look untidy, certainly as they begin to die down. To prevent this ruining a beautiful display in your garden, plant them further back into a border so that their leaves can be hidden by the other plants,' Jess says.

4. Daffodils – narcissus

(Image credit: Future)

A spring backyard would not be the same without the cheery nodding flowers heads of daffodils.

In the process of learning how to grow daffodils you'll become aware that they are among the easiest spring bulbs to grow, and also the huge variety there is to choose from – more than 25,000, if you're asking. They range from dwarf varieties lining pathways or brightening patios in containers, to giant daffodils planted en masse in beds and borders for real impact. 

'Daffodils bring the brightest and longest color to the spring garden. Fortunately they are also inexpensive and tolerate a wide range of conditions, although no bulb likes water-logged soil,' says Guy Barter.

Wonderfully obliging, daffodils are happy to grow just about anywhere.

'Extend the season with Narcissus cyclamineus, such ‘February Gold’ with later flowers from old pheasants' eye daffodils, Guy adds.

5. Tulips – tulipa

(Image credit: Pashley Manor Garden/ Kate Wilson)

One of the most popular spring bulbs, it is worth every gardener learning how to plant tulip bulbs.

'It's wonderful to see tulips create a spectacular show in spring after all the planning and planting and hard work,' says Greg Ovenden.

At Pashley Manor Garden they plant later flowering bulbs for the Tulip Festival, but there are varieties that will flower from early through to late spring. Check the flowering period when buying them and make sure you get the longest flowering period possible.

'We always look at heights as we are planting to create the effects we want in the displays and we would always advise using top quality bulbs,' says Greg.

Among some of his favorites that he has included in displays over the years are:

6.

Fritillary – fritillaria

(Image credit: National Trust Images/ Laurence Perry)

There are many different species of fritillaria that can be grown in the garden as spring bulbs. 

'One of the best known ones is the Crown Imperial, Fritillaria imperialis, which stands at around 30 inches (80cm) tall with a ring of yellow, orange or red flowers at the top,' explains Jess Evans.

'This one likes to be in a herbaceous border with good sun. it smells a bit foxy when it is in growth, which can put some people off, but the flower is definitely worth it,' she adds.  

Different fritillaries have different soil needs, so check the labels before planting them.

'One I have grown before alongside the Crown Imperial is Fritillaria persica. This one also likes sun and moist, free draining soil, so the two can grow well together. It has almost black bell-shaped flowers on a tall stem of about 80cm so contrasts well with the red or orange of the Crown Imperial ones,' advises Jess.

7. Snake's head fritillary – F. meleagris

(Image credit: National Trust Images/ John Millar)

Worthy of its own entry due to its beautiful flowers that can pepper lawns is the snake’s head fritillary. 

'They are possibly my favourite spring flowering bulb, the patterns on the petals are very intricate and detailed,' explains Jess.

The snake's head fritillary can be challenging to naturalize, but will like a damper soil. 

'While it can be naturalized into grassy areas or woodland garden style plantings, it can also be outcompeted so the grass or other plants need to be thinner or knocked back before the fritillaries will thrive,' Jess advises.

8. Dog’s tooth violets – erythroniums

(Image credit: National Trust Images/ Ray Dale)

Erythroniums, or dog’s tooth violets, are one of the loveliest spring bulbs to naturalize in your garden. 

'They will spread over years to create carpets in your borders. I particularly like Erythronium ‘Pagoda’, which is a little plant, up to around 8 inches (20cm) tall. The leaves are broad and can be marked with purple color markings, while the flowers have 5 reflexed yellow-green petals that stand up just above the leaves in April and hang downwards,' says Jess Evans.

Dog's tooth violets enjoy a slightly damper area in the garden with soil rich in organic humus so are well suited to a woodland garden type border. 'I would avoid planting them with too many other herbaceous plants so that they don’t get outcompeted, although they will handle some shade,' says Jess.

Jess also recommends the pink species Erythronium dens-canis 'which has a slightly more closed flower but is just as pretty.'

9. Lily – lilium

(Image credit: Getty Images)

'Lily bulbs are expensive, but arguably the finest bulbs,' explains Guy Barter.

They do very well in pots of rich, peat free potting compost, and should be planted as early as they become available, he advises. 

Lilium henryii – Henry's lily – is a good choice.

'Keep pots where they can be inspected regularly to allow lily beetles to be dealt with,' adds Guy.

10. Hyacinths

(Image credit: Getty Images)

These popular spring bulbs are prized for their impressive and fragrant spikes of flowers.

'Plant new bulbs every year or two to ensure a good display,' advises gardening writer Leigh Clapp.

Hyacinths are also ideal as potted plants and can be layered with other spring bulbs that flower at different times for 'lasagne planting', such as between tulips and daffodils.

'Wear gloves when planting hyacinths as they can irritate skin,' advises Leigh Clapp.

How to choose the best spring bulbs for your garden

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to flowering spring bulbs to plant. But bear in mind the weather and conditions in the zone where you live to try and carefully orchestrate a flowering bulb bonanza with a changeable display.

If you plan carefully and plant a succession of bulbs you can have a blooming display from late winter right through to summer.

To enjoy a burst of spring flowers, you need to plan ahead because spring bulbs must be planted in fall to early winter. 

'Bulbs are shipped when it's time to plant them, and choose varieties of early, mid and late-season bulbs to add color that will last until summer blooms take over,' advise the experts at American Meadows .

When buying bulbs from a nursery or garden center, check the flowering month to try and make sure you get the longest flowering period possible. 

'A challenge I really enjoy is trying to come up with a bulb planting scheme that will keep flowering for months but that will change color as the weeks go past,' says Jess Evans, head gardener at the National Trust's Knightshayes garden.

Different bulbs are planted at different depths, but generally three times their height, with the pointed growing tip facing upwards. 'In sandy soils go a little deeper to ensure bulbs find the summer moisture they need to thrive,' advises Guy Barter.

Make sure the beds are all well forked over before planting to make it easier to dig the holes.  

'Mulch the beds after planting, but before they start showing new growth  – especially if you mulch with manure, as it can burn the new tips of the foliage,' advises Greg Ovenden, head gardener at Pashley Manor Gardens .

If you're a busy or forgetful gardener, you will be pleased to know that a very great number and a fair range of well-grown potted bulbs are offered by nurseries and garden centers from January. 'These are generally inexpensive and can even be cheaper than buying and potting bulbs yourself in fall,' says Guy Barter.

'Some bulbs, such as snowdrops, aconites and anemones, don't like drying out and are also offered in leaf – ‘in-the-green’ – in the spring. Dried bulbs of these species can do well but bulbs in the green are preferable,' he adds.

When should spring bulbs be planted?

Spring bulbs should be planted in fall or early winter, between October to February depending on the variety. 

Order and plant your spring bulbs early. ‘Get them in before they start to shoot. If you can't plant bulbs soon after they are delivered, store them in a cool dark place until you are ready to plant them,’ advises Greg Ovenden.

When to plant spring bulbs will obviously differ slightly depending on the zone where you live. If you live in a cooler area, 'plant them by late September for the best results, although flowering of October planted bulbs is usually satisfactory. November planted tulips and hyacinths are also satisfactory and arguably better than earlier planted ones,' advises Guy Barter.

Which spring bulbs come back year after year?

Many spring bulbs, such as daffodil, narcissus, crocus, snowflakes, anemones, fritillaries and others, will naturalize in turf, coming back year after year,' advises Guy Bater.

Most bulbs are, by definition, are perennials, but you need to ensure that they enjoy the right soil, climatic and other conditions to perform well.

There are some bulbs that need lifting and storing, such as tulips, 'while the rest need clumps divided the replanted in the green,' advises gardening writer Leigh Clapp.  

'The dense clumps won’t flower as prolifically and may create large empty patches in your bed with they die down,' adds Jess Evans.

It is easy to learn how to divide plants to keep them healthy and fill your garden with color year after year.

Do you soak bulbs before you plant them?

You do not need to soak most bulbs before you plant them, although make sure the bulbs have not completely dried out or they will not take.

The exception to this is small anemone bulbs which should always be soaked before planting to soften them up, as it gives a much better chance of growth.

Some bulbs, such as snake's head fritillaries, need damp soil to thrive, but most will rot if they are left sitting in water. 

For large bulbs, such as tulips, try adding a scoop of grit into the bottom of the planting hole, to help drainage.  

Rachel is senior content editor, and writes and commissions gardening content for homesandgardens.com, Homes & Gardens magazine, and its sister titles Period Living Magazine and Country Homes & Interiors.  She has written for lifestyle magazines for many years, with a particular focus on gardening, historic houses and arts and crafts, but started out her journalism career in BBC radio, where she enjoyed reporting on and writing programme scripts for all manner of stories. Rachel then moved into regional lifestyle magazines, where the topics she wrote about, and people she interviewed, were as varied and eclectic as they were on radio. Always harboring a passion for homes and gardens, she jumped at the opportunity to work on The English Home and The English Garden magazines for a number of years, before joining the Period Living team, then the wider Homes & Gardens team, specializing in gardens.

15 fantastically beautiful bulbs planted in spring

We have compiled for you a list of the most unusual bulbs that can be planted in open ground, starting from the end of April. I bet you haven't even heard of some of them?

If you want to enjoy the flowering of bulbs not only in spring, but also in summer and even in autumn, allocate a corner on your site for these delightful crops that are planted in April-May.

1. Amaryllis belladonna

Amaryllis belladonna is a beauty with bright pink, lily-like flowers. This plant is native to South Africa.

Amaryllis bulbs are planted in April. In May, after the awakening of the bulb, leaves appear on the plant, which die off in June. Two months later, flower stalks and buds are formed on the stem, which bloom at the end of summer.

In warm and temperate climates, Amaryllis belladonna can overwinter in mulched soil. If your area experiences harsh winters, the bulb should be dug up after the aerial part of the plant has died and stored indoors at 13°C.

Flowering August-September
Plant height
60-90 cm
Planting depth
about 10 cm (the neck of the bulb should protrude slightly from the ground)
Distance between bulbs
20 cm
Underground bulb
Light requirements

Purpose

2.

Striped bletilla

This orchid comes from Asia, but it has taken root well in our area. The most common color of bletilla is rich pink (for example, in varieties such as Bletilla striped Hyacinth or Gebina), but there are also varieties with white flowers (Alba - completely white and Albostriata - with white stripes).

Bletilla can be propagated by both seeds and root division. In the second case, a part with four pseudo-bulbs is separated from the root system and planted in a separate container.

Plants need to be repotted every 2-3 years.

Flowering June-July
Plant height 20 cm
Planting depth 3 cm
Distance between bulbs 10 cm
Underground pseudobulb
Light requirements

Purpose

3.

Whitish galtonia

Another name for this South African plant is whitish hyacinth. This is a tall snow-white flower that will fill the garden with a delicate aroma. One or two dozen bell-shaped inflorescences are formed on one plant.

Galtonia is perfect for flowerbeds, mixborders or container plantings.

Galtonia does not like transplants very much and blooms well in one place for 4 seasons.

Flowering July-September
Plant height 90-120 cm
Planting depth 15 cm (for bulb height)
Distance between bulbs 20 cm
Underground pseudobulb
Light requirements
Purpose

4.

Hymenocallis

This native of Peru has many names: hymenocallis, summer/sea/Peruvian daffodil, Nile lily, spider lily. Such an abundance of names was awarded to a fragrant flower with white-yellow flowers of a bizarre shape on a long stem without leaves.

Hymenocallis loves sunny, sheltered areas. When grown in containers, one plant requires a 13 cm pot. This flower also looks great in bouquets.

The most popular varieties of hymenocallis have white flowers : Advance, festalis Zvanenburg, Harrisiana . Decent variety with creamy yellow flowers - Salfur Queen .

Flowering June-July
Plant height 30-60 cm
Planting depth approx. 10 cm (bulb should protrude from the ground)
Distance between bulbs 20 cm
Underground bulb
Light requirements

Purpose

5.

Crinum

Crinum is a late flowering bulbous plant native to South Africa. Crinum inflorescences are most often dark pink or white.

This plant is quite heat-loving, so it is most often grown in pots, covering or bringing it indoors during frosts. When grown in the ground, it is planted separately from the "relatives" - krinum loves solitude.

The most popular varieties are Powella (pink) and Powella Alba (white).

Flowering August-September
Plant height 60-120 cm
Planting depth 15-20 cm (bulb neck should remain above the ground)
Distance between bulbs 45 cm
Underground bulb
Light requirements

Purpose

6.

Levkokorina

Levkokorina comes from Chile, but her name is Greek - in translation it means "white mace". Although its inflorescences are not only white, but also purple. Levkokorina in many ways resembles freesia.

In warm climates, this bulbous plant is grown in flowerbeds and in group plantings, in cold climates - more often in containers. Levkokorina is also great for bouquets.

Of the 12 known species of levcocorina, 7 are the most common: Ixioid, Cokimbensis, Macropetala, Purple, Alliacia, Angustipetala, Appendiculata.

Flowering August-September
Plant height 50 cm
Planting depth 3-4 cm
Distance between bulbs 1.5-2 cm (10 bulbs per 15 cm pot)
Underground small bulbs
Light requirements

Purpose

7.

Lily

Lily is one of the most ancient flowers known in Europe and Asia. For several millennia, she has delighted flower growers with her appearance and delicate aroma.

Lilies look beautiful in single plantings, but they are most effective when planted in groups against a background of dark green shrubs or in a mixborder with dark blue and purple flowers. Given that in nature these plants often grow in the mountains, they are suitable for growing in a rocky garden at the foot of a rockery. If desired, the lily can also be grown in containers.

If the lily does well in your flower garden, it can grow in one place for many years.

The most popular lily varieties are Asian hybrids : Alaska (white), Compass (orange), London (yellow), Tuscany (pink), Gran Paradiso 9024 and etc. From the group Oriental hybrids , the following varieties are often grown: Acapulco (hot pink), Casa Blanca (white), Mona Lisa (pink), etc. There are also various varieties of North American hybrids, Tubular, Curly, Longiflorum lilies, which are less common with us.

Flowering June-August
Plant height 70-100 cm
Planting depth 15 cm
Distance between bulbs 30 cm
Underground bulb
Light requirements
Purpose

8. Nerine (Narina)

Nerine was brought to Europe from South Africa, although one of its names - Guernsey Lily - was given in honor of the British island in the English Channel.

This bulbous plant likes sunny windless areas and can be grown in containers or border plantings. Great for bouquets.

The color of nerina petals can be varied: white, yellow, orange, red, pink.

The two most popular types of nerine are Bowden and Sarnian . Both of them bloom in September-October, but in Nerine Bowden's plants, the leaves are already drying up by this moment, and in Nerine Sarnia, the foliage begins to grow only after flowering has ended.

Flowering September-October
Plant height 35-90 cm
Planting depth approx. 15 cm (bulb neck must remain above the ground)
Distance between bulbs 20 cm
Underground bulb
Light requirements

Purpose

9.

Ornithogalum

Alternative names - birdman, Star of Bethlehem, Chincherinchiz.

This South African bulb does not tolerate low temperatures very well and is therefore recommended for growing in warm regions. Ornithogalum blooms profusely for several months and remains fresh for a long time when cut, so it is ideal for bouquets.

The flowers of this plant are white.

The most common tall varieties are Arabicum (80 cm) and Saundersea (100 cm). In plants of these varieties, the flowers are collected in a pyramidal brush. In addition, Arabicum has a black ovary. Another popular variety is Thyrsoid (35 cm).

Flowering Jun-Oct
Plant height 10-100 cm (depending on species)
Planting depth 5-10 cm (to bulb height)
Distance between bulbs 8-12 cm (depending on bulb size)
Underground bulb
Light requirements

Purpose

10.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus is called the Persian (or Asian) ranunculus. This is a favorite flower of florists, who use it in a variety of compositions, especially peony and double varieties.

This charming plant blooms all summer. It can be grown in flower beds, as a border in well-lit areas.

Before planting, ranunculus corms are soaked in water for an hour, and after planting, the ground is well watered.

Flowering June-August
Plant height 30-60 cm
Planting depth 2-5 cm
Distance between bulbs 8 cm
Underground corms with tubers
Light requirements

Purpose

11.

Sauromatum

Sauromatum is a very unusual plant that came to us from tropical Africa. It blooms with yellow-orange flowers with purple dots.

This bulbous exotic is grown in containers or individual pots. It is best to place sauromatum on verandas, balconies, patios away from direct sunlight. This bulbous prefers soft diffused light.

Sauromatum, like any tropical plant, likes moist, well-drained and organic soil.

Flowering late May - June
Plant height 45 cm
Planting depth 15-20 cm
Distance between bulbs 8 cm
Underground large tuber
Light requirements

Purpose

12.

Tigridia

This Mexican bulb was so named because of its characteristic "brindle" coloration. Moreover, the color of the outer petals may vary depending on the variety: cream, white, yellow, red, pink. But the core of the flowers seems to be strewn with variegated spots.

An interesting feature of tigridia is that the flowering of each flower lasts only 1 day. Fortunately, several buds are formed on one plant.

People also call this plant the tiger flower.

Flowering July-October
Plant height 45-60 cm
Planting depth 8 cm
Distance between bulbs 10-14 cm
Underground corm
Light requirements

Purpose

13.

Tritonia

This South American plant loves warm, well-lit areas. In the southern regions, it can be grown in border plantings or flower beds without digging up the bulb for the winter. In colder climates, it is best to plant tritonia in containers.

This is a very beautiful flower, the color of the petals of which varies depending on the variety, but most often red-orange shades predominate.

Tritonia bulb may rot due to overwatering.

Flowering June-August, in nature September-November
Plant height 30 cm
Planting depth 5 cm
Distance between bulbs 8-10 cm
Underground bulb
Light requirements

Purpose

14.

Eucomis

The small flowers of this bulbous are collected in a long cylindrical raceme, which is crowned with a green "comb" of leaves.

It is best to grow eucomis in individual pots or large containers of several plants in order to be able to bring the container indoors for the winter. The bulb does not need to be dug. During the dormant period, the plant, like other bulbs, does not need to be watered.

In its homeland, South Africa, Eucomis grows on wet mountain slopes, therefore, during the period of active growth and flowering, it needs good moisture, as well as regular top dressing.

If you live in the south, you can easily afford to grow eucomis in border plantings, in rocky gardens, in a flower bed.

Among flower growers the most demanded are Eukomis bicolor (green), Eukomis bicolor alba (white), Eukomis comosa , aka crested (mixed green and white).

Flowering July-August
Plant height 30-60 cm
Planting depth 5-6 cm (bulb must be completely covered with soil)
Distance between bulbs 8-10 cm
Underground bulb
Light requirements

Purpose

15.

Eucharis

Eucharis is a snow-white flower with South American "citizenship". It will delight you with its flowering all season.

If you plant the bulb in the spring (April - early May), the plant will flower in June. If the bulb hibernated in the ground, euharis will bloom buds at the end of May.

It is preferable to grow this bulb in containers (no more than 6 bulbs per container with a diameter of 30 cm). Since euharis does not like transplants, they change his "registration" every two years.

Eucharis species favored by flower growers - Candida (two waves of flowering per summer), Grandiflora (large white flowers, may bloom in winter), Bankeriana (white flowers with a green spot at the base).

Flowering May-October
Plant height up to 60 cm
Planting depth 5-6 cm (bulb must be completely covered with soil)
Distance between bulbs 5-10 cm
Underground bulb
Light requirements

Purpose

If you love bulbs as much as we do and decide to plant plants from our list in your flower garden, do not forget to share photos of flowers on our forum!

According to ibulb. org

all about proper bulb planting

We will tell you about the basic rules for planting bulbs, which will ensure their healthy growth and long lush flowering. We plant bulbs correctly in spring and autumn, depending on the type!

We plant bulbs in spring and autumn correctly

The unsurpassed brightness, tenderness and beauty of bulbous plants make them one of the most spectacular decorations of any garden, and a huge variety of species and varieties allows you to admire magnificent fragrant flowers from spring to late autumn. Fast growth, long flowering and unpretentiousness in care allow the use of bulbs as one of the simplest and most reliable elements in the floral decor of any site.

In the middle lane, the time has come for the autumn planting of bulbs, the shelves of garden centers amaze the imagination with the beauty and variety of varieties, and we talk in detail about how to properly plant these wonderful plants.

Contents:

  • Landing site
  • Landing time
  • Planting depth
  • Soil
  • Bulb preparation
  • Fit technology

Place for planting

Bulbous plants love sunny places and openwork penumbra, prefer light fertile soils and are afraid of stagnant moisture and strong winds. They do well on hills and sunny slopes. Depending on the type and size of plants, they can be planted in alpine gardens, front beds and mixed flower beds, along paths or around trees.

Planting time

The most optimal time for planting most bulbous flowers is the period from mid-September to mid-October: before winter, the bulbs have time to take root well, but do not germinate until the onset of cold weather.

Some types of heat-loving bulbs are planted in spring - these are dahlias, gladioli, begonias, ranunculus and anemones. Lily bulbs can be planted in a flower garden in autumn or bought in early spring, germinated at home in 500 ml plastic cups and planted in open ground in May already with buds.

Planting depth

There is a general rule that can be applied to most bulbous plants: the depth of the planting hole should be three times the height of the bulb. On too light sandy soils, the planting depth can be increased, and on very heavy clay soils, slightly reduced.

Tall large-flowered lilies are able to form many roots from the stem, so they are best planted at a depth of 20-25 cm. Such a deep planting will provide large plants with the necessary stability, the development of a healthy root system and more reliable protection against freezing in winter. Since lilies do not need annual digging and transplanting, their location between roses is considered a very good option: under the winter shelter for roses, lily bushes do not freeze, grow quickly and delight with their magnificent flowering for many years.

Soil

Bulb plants prefer light, fertile, well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. It is advisable to prepare a place for bulbous flowers a few weeks before planting by digging up the ground and adding sand, peat, humus and complex granular fertilizers for garden flowers to it.

Preparing the bulbs

Before planting, the bulbs must be carefully inspected and rotten and diseased specimens must be discarded without regret, otherwise they will infect the entire flower bed. If there is mechanical damage on a dense healthy bulb, they are carefully treated with brilliant green and dried.

Dry anemone and ranunculus bulbs are soaked for 2-3 hours before spring planting in warm water with the addition of any growth stimulator.

Planting technique

Planting holes or rows of the required depth are dug in the prepared soil. The bottom of the hole is lightly tamped by hand so that the soil under the bulb does not settle and its young roots are not damaged. A layer of sand 2-3 cm thick is poured at the bottom for good drainage. Even better, mix sand with ash in a ratio of 1:10 (one part ash to ten parts sand) - this will give the flowers additional nutrients and protect them from pests and diseases.

Pour warm water over the sandy "cushion" and put the bottom of the bulb on it, without pressing it into the sand, so as not to damage the small roots. Sand or a mixture of sand and ash is poured around the bulb to form a so-called "sand jacket" that protects the plant from moisture stagnation and disease. A layer of light fertile soil is poured on top and the landing site is lightly crushed with hands so that the soil settles better.

If the weather is dry, warm and sunny, water the planting site - then the bulb will take root faster. In cold and rainy weather, plantings are not watered from above so that the bulb does not rot from excessive moisture - for the development of roots it will be quite enough to water only the bottom of the planting hole.

Bulbs of plants that require annual digging (hyacinths, decorative onions, gladioli, dahlias, ranunculus, anemones) can be planted at a small distance from each other to make the flower bed look more magnificent. For bulbs that are not dug for several years (tulips, daffodils, crocuses, lilies, muscari, snowdrops), it is necessary to leave enough space for the growth of a strong bush and the formation of children.

For quick planting of the bulbs, you can use a special tool - a “planter”: make the same holes of the required depth with it, water the bottom of them, lower the bulbs there and cover them with earth from above.

Bulb Baskets

To protect against moles, mice and slugs, bulbs can be planted in the ground in special plastic baskets available at garden centers and flower shops.

The technology of planting in baskets is no different from the usual one: the basket is placed on the bottom of the planting hole with well-prepared soil. A layer of sand is poured at the bottom of the basket, warm water is poured over it and bulbs are placed on it. The basket is covered with sand to the top edge, then with earth to the top of the landing pit.

Quartblog Digest

To know and be able to: forcing bulbs at home - Forcing, that is, artificial stimulation of the accelerated growth and development of bulbs of bulbous plants at home: we will talk about 3 simple ways.

To know and be able to grow hyacinths. Part 1 - Today we will tell you how to grow hyacinths at home, how to care for these wonderful plants and what to do with faded bulbs.

Learn more