Bulbs: Continuing the Bloom

The art of having a bulb garden is learning to design with them. What this boils down to is considering when each variety blooms.

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  • Topics: Bulbs, Garden Design
  • Author: Cindy Bellinger
  • Keywords: Designing with Bulbs, Planting Bulbs
  • Date: November 2006

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Fall is the time to get those bulbs in the ground. The art of having a bulb garden is learning to design with them. What this boils down to is considering when each variety blooms. The goal is to keep drifts of bulbs showy and bright throughout the season.

When choosing bulbs, keep their bloom time in mind and plan where you want them to come up. Following is a guide for bulb blooms.

Early bloomers

Mid-spring bloomers

Late spring bloomers

Summer bloomers

Be sure to use enough of a single color and variety to make a definite impact. One bulb won’t give a very strong presence on its own. Bulbs usually look best placed in clumps of 5 to 7 of a single variety. For bigger areas consider planting a blooming carpet. To achieve this plant groups of bulbs close together. This is referred to as ‘drift.’

To start your bulb season early, try forcing bulbs for late winter indoor color – see more at these HCG library articles:
Forcing Bulbs for Early Indoor Color
Make Spring Happen: Force a Bulb