Plant them now for a colourful spring
Months of flowering pleasure
Every bulb has its own flowering period. If you know when each one blooms, you can be delighted in the displays at the very outset of spring. Winter aconites and snowdrops are the traditional harbingers of spring, their bright yellow and white always promise of more to come. Close on their hells will be crocuses, glory of the snow (Chionodoxa), narcissi and the first early tulips. In April and May, it's time for grape hyacinths, later flowering tulips and the impressive Fritillaria. Ornamental onions flower from mid may far into July. As you can see, making the right choices can provide you with six months of glorious colour.
Floral Accents
Whether your garden is large or small, it's got room for bulbs somewhere. A good example is a perennial border. In general, these borders don't start blooming until after mid-May. Adding spring flowering bulbs makes such a border prettier much earlier than that. Give such bulbs as crocuses and spring Anenomes (Anenome blanda) a spot among low perennials at the edge of these borders. Amid the taller perennials, there is ofter room for tulips, cammasias and stately ornamental onions. And the more shay spots are just perfect for bulbs such as scilla, Chionodoxa, Erythronium and certain kinds of narcissi that provide a colourful accent among deciduous and evergreen shrubs. And who can resist a carpet of pink, white and blue bluebells at the foot of a tall tree.
Planting
Before planting, loosen the soil thoroughly and work some compost into it if needed. Dig a planting hole and place the bulbs in an upright position. Small bulbs can be scattered.
When to plant
Spring flowering bulbs can be planted from September to Frost.
Planting Depth
The general rule for planting depth is: plant a bulb twice as deep as it is tall. This means that the right depth for large bulbs such as narcissi, tulips and hyacinths is about 6-8" deep. The right depth for smaller bulbs such as snowdrops and crocus is around 5".
Distance Apart
Large flower bulbs need more space between them than small bulbs. Plant large bulbs leaving an average space between them of 5". Small bulbs need only an everage of 2-3" between them. The space between the bulbs (or the number of bulbs you plant in each square foot) depends on the visual effect you wish to achieve. For a casual, natural effect, plant the bulbs at unequal distances. You can safely plant one or two somewhat farther away. If what you want is an even field of colour, however, plant the bulbs at equal distances from one and other.
Soil type and drainage.
Rainwater is fairly easily drained from sandy soil. Clay soil, on the other hand, has the tendency to remain moist for a longer time. Bulbs don't like having wet feet, so if they are planted in clay soil, make sure the water can drain away. To make the soil somewhat more porous, add sand or compost to it.
Water and Frost
After planting, water the area well. This stimulates them to start producing roots. The earlier the roots are formed, the faster the bulb will be able to tolerate cold and frost. Watering can be discontinued when the autumn rains begin.
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