Fall Bulbs

It's that time of year again! No, I'm not talking about the kids going back to school. I'm referring to the fact that fall bulb season has arrived. It's time to think about tulips, daffodils, crocuses and scilla.  

These are hardy bulbs that are planted in the fall but bloom in the spring (no instant gratification with these bulbs - you must be patient, but they're worth the wait). Depending on the variety of flowering shrubs and perennials that you have in your garden, these could be the first blooms you enjoy after the snow disappears.

Here are a few tips I have learned about bulbs over the years:

- The smaller the bulbs, the more you should plant. Three larger bulbs, like tulips or daffodils , planted in a clump will show from a distance come spring, but three snowdrops or crocuses (smaller bulbs) will not make an impact. You will have to double or triple the number of bulbs to make them visible.

- If you are unsure what is the top or the bottom of the bulb, plant it on its side. That way, the leaves will grow up and the roots will grow down.

- After the bulbs have bloomed next spring, you must leave the foliage on to ripen (die naturally). Ripening or dying foliage in the garden is not my idea of "attractive"! My solution: plant these bulbs around perennials. Peonies, daylilies and hostas are perfect to hide the fading foliage of tulips, daffodils and narcissus. The smaller bulbs (crocus, snowdrops, scilla, etc., etc.) do not require hiding. They seem to fade away invisibly.

- If rodents or deer always help themselves to your bulbs or blooms, plant daffodils. They are rodent- and deer-proof. And there are many wonderful varieties available now besides the "old- fashioned" yellow ones. You can choose from pink, white, bi-colour and doubles, just to list a few.

- The larger the bulb, the deeper you should plant it. Daffodils should be about 6" deep and crocuses about 2 - 3" deep. And yes, you can even plant the smaller bulbs on top of the larger bulbs. Crocuses bloom before daffodils, so you can have double the pleasure in the same space.