When the atmosphere has shifted and our thoughts are more focused on being indoors rather than the outdoors. It is a good time to visualize the next planting season and recreate the garden for a full bust of spring flowers, and this can be done quickly with the help of bulbs. They are usually the plants that seem to burst with colours and never need too much human intervention to get started. Getting a head start in autumn will guarantee a tremendous new season ahead. In this post we will look at some of the best bulbs to plant and included will be some practical tips to make your garden outstanding.
Why Plant Bulbs in Autumn
The autumn season is cool and moist allowing the plants to adjust easily before the cold temperatures arrive. This gives the root system the time it needs to become strong and able to endure the winter season. Tulips and other bulbs require a cooling period which helps them to bloom in the spring. Generally, no other care is needed once they are in the ground where nature will do the rest of the work for you. One of the easiest ways that the garden signals that spring has arrived is when these bulbs have begun to be awakened with their first bloom.
Make your Garden a Showstopper with these Bulbs
Tulips
Known for their bright colours and shapes with a variety of colours and many blends. They are considered quite valuable by the Dutch. In Niagara Falls, Canada there is a Springtime festival which features over 3 million tulips. It provides access to the vast varieties of this plant, and visitors are able to stroll along paths of tulips enjoying the day as a family event or a picnic. It is quite popular and attracts many visitors to the region each year. Most purchase tickets online which is the best way. Unfortunately, I waited until the last minute and was unable to attend because this attraction was sold out quite fast.
Tulips need to be planted in deep holes going as far as 10 inches for the best recovery in the next season. Some recommended types are Darwin Hybrids, Triumph and Parrot Tulips. The Darwin Hybrids are known for its shape, stems and reliability. Triumph tulips are ideal for growing indoors before the spring season begins and they are wonderful as cut flowers. Parrot tulips will bloom late in the season with variegated flowers, and the ends resembles the feathers of a parrot. Tulip plants will thrive in well-drained soil with sun and also some shade. To create some excitement in the garden. Plant them in groups and allow for consideration of those that will bloom later in the season. Grow in clusters and drifts for a beautiful arrangement.
Daffodils
These plants have been known to survive over fifty years if given the right conditions. They are found in colours of white, yellow, orange and pink. While these beautiful plant will create beauty with its colours in the garden it is very toxic to humans and pets. Despite this fact the plant has been used today in modern medicine as a treatment for disease. When used in floral arrangement the sap needs to be soaked in water before blending with other cut flowers to avoid wilting of the other plants. The daffodil has been used as a symbol in Canada and the USA as a symbol of hope for Cancer. There are over 40 species of this plant and they will be one of the early bloomers in your garden. It is a great way to deter pests like rodents.
The deer does not like this plant and this can be a great solution as a deterrent in the garden. Growing them in clusters will create beauty and allow you to enjoy these colours together making the space elegant. Plant them in full to partial sunshine with a well-drained soil before the ground freezes which can make planting impossible. Some varieties like Ice follies are popular with large white petals and yellow they will help to spread and expand the garden. Jonquil daffodils add fragrance to the garden and are drought-tolerant making them also ideal as cut flowers for your indoor space.
Hyacinth
A beautiful fragrant flower that will add beauty to any garden space or even on walkways. often used in making perfumes. They can be found in a variety of colours, and a popular colour is purple and sometimes have been used to express grief at funerals. They can be grown indoors in containers with a good drainage and enough moisture to keep them happy. Avoid overwatering to deter damage to the root system. This plant is best handled with gloves to avoid any skin irritation.
Some varieties of interest are Delft Blue, Carnegie and Pink Pearl. The delft blue is a popular dense, highly fragrant flower and is great when used as an arrangement of cut flowers. The Carnegie offers dense white fragrant flowers and blooms in the spring season. Pink pearl is chosen many times by gardeners for its beautiful pink colour and its long-lasting bloom. A good addition to begin indoors for the winter season.
Crocuses
An interesting fact is this specie of plant known as Crocus Sativus producing one of the most expensive spices in the world from which saffron is harvested. The stigma of the plant is dried and used in many countries like India, Spain, Greece and Iran for many cuisines and for traditional medicine. Crocuses are unique because usually when nothing else is blooming they are the ones to begin the season with some varieties blooming in the winter season. Some are known to bloom in Autumn making the blooming season extended. They make excellent garden beds, rock gardens and beautiful edges for the garden. Plant them in a well-drained soil and partial to full sunshine. At nighttime the flowers close as if going to bed and they are awakened opening with sunshine.
Snow Drops (Galanthus nivalis)
Generally busting forth in the snow signalling that spring is in the air. They are one of the first plants to begin shooting out of the ground while the snow is still on the ground. These bell-shaped flowers are certainly a sign of endurance even in harsh cold winters. Their ability to bloom in icy conditions is truly amazing because the inner cells are equipped with an anti-freeze protein that prevents freezing even when temperatures are below zero.
They also have the ability to raise their own temperature melting the snow around them. This is truly remarkable. You only need to plant them once and they will multiply. Creating a history left behind for generations to see and enjoy. Plant them in a well-drained soil with moisture. Placing them in full or partial sunshine is best method to care for them. Snow drops have also been used in medication to treat illnesses with memory loss.
Allium
Alliums belong to the ornamental onion family creating stunning blooms that are known for attracting pollinators. Globe Master, Mount Everest and Purple Sensation are known to create that sensational space gardeners love. The globe master can create giant purple flower balls growing up to ten inches wide producing the largest flower head of the specie. They can bloom as long as four weeks. Once dried they are sometimes used by florist in many dried arrangements.
Use the purple sensation to layer the garden and for attracting bees. They will grow up to thirty inches and works well when blended with other flowers. Mount Everest will produce white flowers and compliments the space when contrasted with the purple colours. They will grow to four feet in height which makes them excellent for layering.
Gardeners choose alliums because of their beautiful foliage, their bright colours, their ability to attract pollinators especially bees. They are low- maintenance and will return season after season.
Japanese Irises
The iris plant is found in hundreds of species. There are some that stand out and may be of interest to you like Bearded Irises found in purple hues and has a perfume smell that can be compared to the vanilla sent or some type of grape drink. Known for its fuzzy beard. Siberian Irises produces grass like foliage and is best kept in damp soils. Dutch Irises blooms in late spring and are used for cut flowers especially due to the long stems that it produces. The Japanese Irises produces large flat shaped flowers which can be up to twelve inches wide with petals that overlap. The flower can be compared to a water lily in a pond setting. They are excellent plants that love in soggy or marsh conditions. They would be an excellent addition if you were to create a water garden and plant them close to the water.
They are found in a variety of shades like purple, blue, white, with variations of artistic patterns. It is recommended to plant them in late summer or early fall giving them at least six hours of sunshine. Plant in a rich compost soil keeping the soil moist. The Japanese Iris are highly prized in their culture, and they are considered the orchid of the iris world. They are featured in many of their paintings and their gardens.
Design Ideas for a Show-Stopping Garden
The secret on how to create this space is the uniqueness of the bulbs planted and its positioning. The design must incorporate textures, colours and contrast to create its breathtaking effect. Use the space like a puzzle you aren’t sure where the pieces will fall just yet at the beginning stage but with some creativity you can produce the masterpiece that all will play their part in making the space breathtaking. A poorly arranged space will leave the plants scattered and uninspiring. These tips will help to make the space inviting whether it a small area or a larger space this will enable the garden to flow with artistry.
· Include unusual and rare bulbs to create uniqueness to the space. In this way the garden will not be similar to other gardens.
· Use clusters and drifts formation. Planting them in rows will not create originality.
· Use bulbs in group planting allowing the small gardens with 7 bulbs, medium at least 10 and larger garden can include up to 20 bulbs.
· Unforgettable gardens are those that display an expanse of colours that you can see from a distance.
· Consider bulbs that are great pollinator attractors and have extended blooming season.
· Use layering for height to create a professional look. Tall bulbs like alliums will be at the back, daffodils are medium and the low growing snowdrops will form the front layer.
· Use a planner to refine the growing period early spring will be the crocus, mid-spring will include hyacinth and late spring alliums and tulips.
· Use a colour chart to plan the space. Create liveness in the garden with colours of purple and yellow. Or yellow, orange and white. It may be that you prefer an all-white garden for the spring season.
Using your own creativity with your own preferred colours and design will create a space that is welcoming and set the mood you wish to have in your garden journey. Taking pictures are a good way to remember how the garden was created and making notes for future strategies of enhancement to help with planning for the next growing season. Sharing ideas with others and methods of improvement are always useful.
Design Style for Formal Garden
Using symmetry is a method to achieve precision and formality. This is done by using a focal point, pathway, front entrances or flower beds. The design mirrors what is done on one side to create the same on the other. You can achieve this by designing a pathway with bright red coloured tulips with white hyacinth or alliums. Your eyes are naturally drawn to these contrasting colours giving the space beauty and balance.
Design Using the Lasagne Method
This method is ideal for small garden beds and container gardening. The bulbs are placed in layers with the small ones at the top and the large on the bottom. This produces blooms which are produced in sections in early, mid and late spring allowing the garden to continually produce flowers.
Contemporary Style
This style emphasizes clean lines and is specific with colours like dark purple contrasted with white. Your choice is to be selective with a limit on the colour pallet and plant repeating this pattern until the area is complete.
Cottage Style
Plant using an abundance of bulbs with variations of colours. Included bloom times so the garden stays alive and vibrant with colours. These can be included with other perennials to make the space filled with life and exuberance.
Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
· Plant bulbs in deep soil
· Use well-drained soil
· Use a bulb fertilizer
· Secure bulbs with protective layer to prevent animals from devouring them
· Plant generously and water and leave them.
Mistakes to Avoid
· Not planting enough bulbs
· Planting bulbs too far apart
· Planting only one bloom time and mixing too many colours
Your masterpiece has now begun the process of coming to life. With careful organization and creative ideas into its planning your garden will become that special showpiece that you have imagined. With these concepts you can look forward to a fantastic spring with a renewed hope and celebrate with this new season.
Image generated with the help of AI using ChatGPT by OpenAI.