When to Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs

Artists at Longwood Gardens

 

Comparing varieties at Longwood

When asked about the best time to plant bulbs, my short answer is to buy them early (now) to get the best selection but wait until late October-November to plant them. A message from Colorblend Bulbs recently opened on my computer with this statement: "You now it's fall planting time when...

Love the color combinations

• Fall nighttime temperatures are between 40 and 50 degrees F
• The fall foliage has moved just past its peak
• Soil temperatures are approaching 55 degrees F
• There is frost on your windshield some mornings
• You start turning on the heat in your car
• You get your first killing frost
• You start taking blankets to the football game

• 

  Frittalaria

• The hummingbirds are gone
• Winesap apples are starting to turn red
• You don't hear crickets any more
• Squirrels are digging in acorns as fast as they can"
• and so on

Early crocus perfect for early pollinators

I am a procrastinator everywhere, including in my own garden. Most bulbs need 12-14 weeks of dormancy to bloom in spring. It was January last year when I planted the last of the daffodils. Luckily, they had been in an unheated area before then. They bloomed beautifully. 

Bulb planting time coincides with hosta leaves browning and laying down.  Because I've learned to let leaves and foliage be for the wildlife and beneficial insects in my yard, the garden never gets a thorough cleaning. 

A river of Grape Hyacinths at world-famous Keukenhof Gardens

Bulbs make more of a statement when planted in masses, drifts or clusters. Mixing varieties together can be fun, just watch to see that the bulbs planted will bloom together or apart, according to your plan. There is some wonderful information at Dig.Drop.Done about bulbs from our friends in The Netherlands. 

Mixtures of tulips, columbine in beds