Spring Flowering Bulbs

Spring flowering bulbs are the first flowers to awaken in the spring to brighten the drab colors of winter. These mostly perennial bulbs begin blooming early in the season when the snowdrop and crocus first poke their heads out of the ground.

The show continues with the later appearance of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. Flowering spring bulbs are usually fairly long lived in the average garden, lasting many seasons. The exception in the north is the tulip, which usually disappears after a season or two. Indeed, here in southern Indiana I have given up on tulips entirely in my country garden. Mice and chipmunks usually find them and feast heartily on what was supposed to be my spring flower show.

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The show from spring flowering bulbs in the garden begins in the fall. The bulbs are planted in the months of August through October. The bulbs can be planted as late as January and still flower, if you can get them into the ground. Most of the bulbs need about sixty days of cold for them to flower. Any less and they will begin growth in the spring, but not flower until the following year. If the bulbs are stored in a cool garage or other area and planted somewhat later in the winter, they may still flower.

If you have some of the spring flowering bulbs already and want more, propagation of the bulbs is an easy project. While the flowers are blooming in the spring, mark them with a stake or other marker. You may also wish to photograph them, and label both the marker and photograph so you know the color and type of bulb it is.

In June or July, when the bulb has stopped blooming and the greenery has died down, carefully dig the bulbs out of the ground. Lay them in a dry area on paper or an old blanket and allow them to dry out. When they have dried, shake the dirt off the roots and store in a cool, dry area in a paper or mesh bag, some old nylon hose or similar container which will allow air to access the bulbs.

Don’t store in a closed container, as the bulbs are living plants and need to breathe. In the fall the bulbs may be planted. This process is the same for all spring bulbs, tulips, daffodils, crocus or hyacinth.

The Daffodil Growing Season – When Do Daffodils Bloom?
Caring for Daffodils

Daffodil Care

Daffodil or Narcissus

Tulip

Crocus

Grape Hyacinth

Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs in the Fall

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February 15, 2011 · Administrator · No Comments
Tags: Full Sun, Perennial Flowers, Spring Flowering Bulbs · Posted in: Flower Gardening, Spring Flowering Bulb