How to plant and care for flowering bulbs

Published 6:15 am Thursday, October 25, 2018

Elizabeth Waldrop

When buying bulbs, gardeners should look for those that are free of deep cuts or soft places. Choose bulbs that seem heavy and firm for their size.

When deciding where to plant bulbs, locate places that have well-drained soil and get at least six hours of full sun in the season when the bulb foliage will be up and green. Try not to plant them in rows. Most bulbs look much more natural in clumps or drifts. When planting, dig a hole that is twice the depth of the height of the bulb. If your bulb has no visible roots, set the bulb so the pointed end is facing up. With some bulbs it is difficult to tell which end is up, but don’t worry, the bulb will right itself in the ground. Spring and fall blooming bulbs don’t need fertilizer, as their energy is stored in the bulb. Adding blood or bone meal may encourage animals to dig up your bulbs and is not recommended. Summer blooming bulbs respond well to periodic fertilizing.

Resist the temptation to cut or braid bulb foliage after the flowers fade. It is vitally important that the foliage goes through its entire life cycle to ensure the bulb gets enough nutrition to feed it through its dormant stage. Once the foliage is mostly yellow and pulls away easily, it is time to release and discard it. To be safe, wait until at least Mother’s Day before cutting off foliage on spring and fall bulbs. Foliage can be cut from summer bulbs after the first frost or left on during the winter to provide insulating mulch.

As a rule, buy and plant spring and fall flowering bulbs in the fall and summer flowering bulbs in the spring. Most, however, can be planted out of season. They may lose a season’s bloom, but will survive and bloom the next year. Many gardeners divide large bulb clumps just as the foliage is dying away. It is easy to find them, and they are fully rejuvenated and ready to go dormant. Large bulb clumps that have had fewer blooms each year will profit from dividing. This is the time to share extras with friends or move a few bulbs to a new place.