Now is the time to plan your inspiring Spring garden. More than just beautiful, Spring flowers signal the end of what sometimes seems like a long and cold winter and the beginning of a new season of gardening. They also don’t have to share the spotlight with a garden full of other flowers. Each has its special moment to make its dramatic appearance, from the first early crocus to the whimsical late-spring alliums that ring in the summer garden. They create a succession of flowers with an amazing variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.
Classic favorites and new varieties of Spring bulbs are available in late summer at retail stores, through catalogs, or online. With planning and careful selection, you can craft a stunning and long-flowering display of bulbs. It’s important to consider sunlight and good drainage when planning your bulb garden. Consider the size of your borders for the appropriate number of bulbs. Keeping in mind plant heights can maximize your space. Planting taller flowers such as daffodils behind hyacinths gives weeks of color and a wonderful cottage-like visual harmony.
Bulbs can be planted in swathes through the border. Alternatively, if you are short on space, early bulbs can be planted in lawns. They can bloom and fade even before the lawn needs its first mowing of the season. Typically, bulbs are planted in groups together for the best effect, and the smaller the bulb, the more are needed to make a dramatic display. Plant groups of 3-6 or more. For maximum interest, plant mass clumps of two or three colors of bulbs throughout beds. With so many varieties to pick from, you can creatively mix and match to give yourself a long season of flowers and color to enjoy. This display can start in late February and dazzle through to early summer.
A classic display can start with snowdrops and crocuses, followed by daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips. The season can end with alliums. If you share your property with uninvited guests such as hungry bunnies or deer, consider mixing their favorite spring snack, tulips, with unappetizing daffodils and spraying new buds with organic animal repellent.
If you are ordering daffodils or tulips, select early, mid, and late types so you can enjoy their blooms for as long as possible. You can have a long-blooming display both in smaller borders and pots by planting your bulbs in layers, where the larger and later bulbs are planted underneath earlier, smaller ones, so they flower in succession for a long-lasting effect.
Many popular spring bulbs are perennials, including daffodils, alliums, crocus, and irises. Planting these allows you to enjoy their blooms for years, especially as they will multiply over time.
On Long Island, tulips and hyacinths may come back in consecutive years but may not bloom. Consider replanting them each fall. As you enjoy the lazy, long days of summer, remember that for Mother Nature, spring is just around the corner. If you take the time now to shop and plant, she’ll be happy to do the rest!
20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 