Tulips

Tulips are very easy to grow. Perennial tulips are preferred over hybrids because these come back faithfully year after year. To ensure the highest level of performance from perennial tulips, plant the bulbs in well drained soil. This will help prevent disease and fungus directly on the bulbs. Be sure the bulbs are planted deep. If you measure from the base of the bulb, plant them about 6 inches deep. It is recommended that you water them after planting. This will ensure that the bulbs develop strong root system before going into their winter dormancy.

Daffodils

An old time favorite, daffodils bloom forever. It has been said that daffodils can bloom for up to 30 or even 50 years. That is awesome! To grow gorgeous daffodils, plant them in an area where the grass can be left un-mown until the foliage has matured. This area should be sunny and with good drainage. For a dramatic look, plant drifts of the same kind and the same color. You can do this by taking a handful of bulbs and throwing them about for a natural feeling distribution and just dig where the bulbs land.

Hyacinths

History tells us that Dutch bulb growers have cultivated hyacinths since the 17th century and more than 2,000 varieties were available by 1838. The unique upright shape of the flower spike and gorgeous colors made hyacinths a favorite for Victorian gardens. These are a member of the lily family and the only connection might be that hyacinths are tubular and very fragrant. For a dramatic look in your spring garden, plant an entire bed of the same hyacinth variety and color. Hyacinths return year after year adding beauty to a garden.

Lilies

Lilies are very easy to grow and those that ship in the fall are in the perennial family which means that they come back every year and require very little care. Lilies have beautiful robust flowers and you can get them in a wide array of colors, different shapes and sizes. If I was to describe lilies, I would say that the flowers are clump-forming with fibrous or tuberous roots. Lilies are also excellent as cut flowers and a favorite of most florists.

Crocus

Crocus usually blooms very early in the spring. It is amazing to see these beauties pop up in February from a mound of snow. Their timing is perfect and bloom well before any grass starts to grow. By the time the grass is ready to be mowed, the crocus are finished for the season. For an impressive look, plant them in masses. Choose a sunny area in the garden or even a lawn and plant large drifts using groupings of 30 bulbs spaced about 4 inches apart. According to many gardeners, crocus will thrive and bloom for 20 years or more and require very little care.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis is a beautiful flower that resembles a lily and usually thrives in the South but can be planted indoors in containers in colder regions. They come in many varieties and colors. Amaryllis flowers are very popular and favored by lots of gardeners because it blooms indoor in the winter months. Also, Amaryllis can be forced to bloom in about six weeks after planting. Yes, you can plant Amaryllis bulbs in a container indoors and force them to bloom in late winter by inducing a dormant period. Since Amaryllis stalks are quite heavy when it blooms, make sure the container you use is large enough so it will not tip over. Once the plant is established indoors, you can move them outdoors or even plant them in your garden when the danger of frost is past.

There are many bulbs that need to be planted now for spring flowering and the ones listed above are just some of the most popular. If you haven’t purchased bulbs yet, get to the local garden center and get them as soon as possible. Better yet, order them online from a reputable company like Breck’s for the best quality.

To get great tips and ideas on fall bulb planting check out an article from our friends over at The Gardeners Rake site.

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If you buy bulbs from a local gardening place, there are some things to look for when selecting them. Make sure that bulbs are firm but not dried out and free of mold, spots and anything that resembles fungus. Another thing to remember is that the bigger the bulb, the bigger the flower will be and a double bulb normally means that you will get two plants.

The companies that sell bulbs usually offer good information and advice about planting, storing, nurturing and propagating bulbs. However, the planting depth for your area really depends on where you live. For example, if the ground where you live does not freeze to any significant depth or for extended periods of time, you can plant bulbs about an inch shallower than the depth suggested by companies.

There are a few things that are a must before planting bulbs and at the top of the list is the soil. Unless you have good soil, your bulbs or other plants will not do well. Rich soil is the key to healthy plants and beautiful flowers. So be sure to prepare the soil by following the directions given with your purchase. Also be sure to note the best location to plant the bulbs. Some bulbs should be planted where there is full sun while others require a shady area or part sun.

Next decide how you want your garden to look when the bulbs are in full bloom. Spacing them is the key and you can follow recommendations given by the company where you bought them from or you can plant them closer together for a very beautiful and dramatic look. If in doubt, buy bulbs from a reputable company like Breck’s that has been bringing us quality bulbs from Holland since 1818. You will get all the advice you need from this company as well as top quality bulbs.

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Tulips come in an incredible variety of colors and different heights and shapes and are the flower emblem of Holland. Although tulips were first cultivated and hybridized by the Turks of the Ottoman Empire, these are grown on very large scale in the Netherlands where their history goes back to the sixteenth century thanks to Dutch gardener Carolus Clusius who introduced tulips to Holland. There are approximately 3 billion tulip bulbs produced in Holland annually.

It has been said that tulips represent grace and elegance and it is recognized as one the world’s most loved flower. I am not surprised because tulips are beautiful and favored by many gardeners today all over the world. According to gardeners, the standard meaning of tulips is perfect love and like many other flowers, different colors have been associated with a specific expression.

For example, red tulips are strongly associated with true love and purple ones symbolize royalty. Yellow tulips that once represented hopeless love are now associated with cheerful thoughts and sunshine. White tulips usually represent claim of worthiness and sometimes to send a message of forgiveness. Variegated tulips were once among the most popular varieties because of their striking color patters now represent beautiful eyes. With all the sentiments associated with tulips, it is no wonder that their popularity continues to endure through the years.

Tulip bulbs are usually planted in late summer and fall approximately 4-8 inches deep in soil. In areas where there is no cool spring and summer, bulbs can be planted at least 12 inches deep as this will provide protection from summer heat. This process can extend the usefulness of the plants in warmer areas longer. Just follow directions included in your purchase for planting depth for each tulip variety.

Some gardeners say that plant food should be applied above the bulbs but be careful as the plant food should not touch them. Also, tulips do best in loose, well-drained soil. Here is a sampling of some of my favorite tulips.

Tulip ‘Wendy Love’ – Botanical name is Tulipa Wendy Love

This tulip is in the ‘Triumph’ family and the beauty of it is that the blooms change from yellow to pink.  They open in a soft yellow color and gradually change to a rosy pink color. If you want to display a real show with these tulips, plant them in large quantities and watch the colors change. Wow! Blooms come up on 16-18 inch stems which makes ‘Wendy Love’ ideal as cut flowers. Grows well in zones 3-8.

Tulip ‘Sweet Desire’ – Botanical name is Tulipa Sweet Desire

Here is an early blooming tulip which resembles strawberries and cream and is absolutely stunning. The shape of the blooms is peony like flower while the tips of the petals turn inward making the entire flower resemble a wide bowl shape. The flowers come up on 16-18 inch stems and are among the first to arise. They have streaks of green on the petals, then shades of rose and pink to a cream center. Grows well in zones 3-8.

Tulip ‘Quebec’ – Botanical name is Tulipa Greigii Quebec

Here is a multi flowering tulip that looks awesome when planted in large groups that will produce masses of flowers year after year. Plant them as borders, beds or even rock gardens for a spectacular look. The stems are short but strong and are wind resistant. Each stem can produce up to 5 scarlet blooms each edged in creamy yellow with a canary yellow base. Grows well in zones 3-8.

Tulip ‘Groenland’ – Botanical name is Tulipa viridiflora Groenland

Groenland is a very exquisite tulip variety. The blooms are creamy violet-pink with a soft green strip that runs down the center of each petal. Beautiful! Plant them in full sun and at least 5 inches apart in well drained soil. These will reach up to 18 inches tall and grows well in zones 3-8.

To your beautiful tulip garden,
Diana

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