Plant bulbs for spring color

By Ted Schaaf
Gardens at Spring Creek

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Springtime and its many blossoms may seem a long way off. Even so, there is a time for everything, and the time for planting bulbs is now.

Plant now so your bulbs will have time to make roots before winter sets in. Last fall, at the Gardens on Spring Creek, we planted over 1,000 bulbs in our Children's Garden. This spring, those same bulbs transformed that garden into a dazzling display of color. With a little planning now, you too can enjoy these spring beauties.

Designing for color

Using color combinations that work with bulbs has never been easier. Many bulb companies have premixed tulips into exciting color combinations. One purple and orange combination that worked very well for us at the gardens is called 'Stop the Car'. True to its name, this color combination is stunning.

To extend the season of color, keep in mind that different types of bulbs bloom at different times throughout the spring. Most bulbs are listed in one of three classifications, based on when they bloom. The classifications are early spring (mid-March), mid-spring (April) and late spring (early May).

Crocuses bloom first, often blooming while snow is still on the ground. The gardens used a fun mix called 'Hokus Crocus'. This is a blend of large goblet-shaped flowers in white, purple and white striped with purple.

Grape hyacinth is a great companion to early blooming tulips. A fun grape hyacinth to try has attractive two-tone colors - bright blue on top and deep purple on the bottom.

Daffodils are great fillers. I like to work them into drifts of tulips. My favorite daffodil is 'Mount Hood'. It has white petals holding a creamy trumpet in the center. 'Mount Hood' works well with just about any tulip combination. Daffodils are especially great choices for those living in areas that are visited by deer and rodents because these animals will leave them alone.

A perennial favorite for naturalizing beneath trees is the 'Blue Squill.' These tiny bluebells ring out that spring is here.

Planting

All bulbs require well-draining soil, so be sure to add compost to heavy clay soil before planting. As a general rule, bulbs should be planted four times as deep as the height of the bulb. I've found that an auger, designed specifically for bulb planting, works well. These augers attach easily to electric drills.

Although bulbs contain all the stored energy they need to bloom the following spring, each bulb will benefit from having super-phosphate added into its planting hole.

Try to plant bulbs with the point facing upward. If you make a mistake, though, don't worry. Bulbs know to send shoots up and roots down. Another thing you don't have to worry about is planting bulbs too close together. The closer they are planted to each other the greater the visual impact.

After planting your bulbs, if the soil is dry, be sure to water it well. Then spread a light layer of mulch over the top to help keep the soil moist. Mulch also assists with moderating soil temperatures so your bulbs won't bloom too early.

In the spring, if rain fails to appear, water your bulbs so they'll reach their full potential. Otherwise, their growth will be stunted and their bloom time will be shortened.

Where you buy your bulbs really is a matter of personal choice. Bulbs are available at local nurseries and through bulb companies. The advantage of buying directly from a nursery is that you get to hand pick your own bulbs, which is part of the fun. I've also had good luck with a mail-order company called Colorblends. Its colorful catalog is especially useful. The web site is www.colorblends.com.

Be sure to check out our bulbs at the Gardens on Spring Creek next spring.

Until next year, happy gardening.

Ted Schaaf is a horticulturist for the city's Gardens on Spring Creek, located off Centre Avenue about a half mile south of Prospect Road in Fort Collins.