Spring Bulbs You Need in Your Garden
Spring Bulbs, also called hardy bulbs are planted in the fall and flower in spring. These bulbs need several weeks of cold temps to break their dormancy and flower. As the winter snow begins to melt and the ground starts to thaw, these bulbs awaken from their slumber, ready to burst forth with vibrant colors and delicate blooms. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses are just a few examples of spring bulbs that can transform a garden into a lively tapestry of beauty.
Planting these bulbs is like planting a little promise that blooms into a beautiful surprise. Just pop them into well-drained soil, give them some sun, and watch the magic happen. Once they’re settled in, they’re pretty low-maintenance – just a cozy blanket of mulch in winter and they’ll be good to go.
When spring rolls around, your garden will be the envy of the neighborhood, throwing a dazzling spring bash that says, “So long, winter!” and “Hello, sunshine!”
Must Have Bulbs
Tulips
The most popular of the spring bulbs! Tulips come in dozens of colours and petal varieties to make these bulbs the shining jewels of any garden. They are also tasty to many critters, such as deer, mice, and rabbits, so take care where you plant them.
Irises
The Iris is a gorgeous bloom, with an orchid-like bloom, coming in a huge variety of colours. Irises are also deer resistant, so if you have trouble with tulips, try an iris! Iris do best when dug up to rest over summer and then replanted in fall.
Daffodils
A highly recognizable spring plant by their distinctive shape, colours, and known hardiness and deer resistance. Plant daffodils (narcissus) anywhere you need to bring lift to in early spring.
Hyacinth
A wonderful burst of colour and scent! Hyacinths are a low growing big bloom which provides not only a beautiful look, but they give off an amazing fragrance which will fill your spring garden right up!
Allium
Alliums are one of the most unique looking bulbs for any garden. Reaching up to 3’ tall with a large round bloom, these bulbs should be planted where you need they eye to go. Plant among your evergreen bushes to give an interesting spring contrast.
Crocus
Crocuses are the first to emerge, often seen peeking up in snow. Lovely tiny blooms to chase away the last of cold winter! Plant in borders or clusters in lawns for a bright and cheery spring. Crocus are finished in time for lawns to begin growing so lawns are safe!
Ranunculus
Ranunculus will give you picture perfect blooms perfect for cutting! Grown from corms, not bulbs, ranunculus also need to be dug up in summer as they do not do well in cold temps over winter. Coming in reds, pinks, yellows, golds, apricots, and burgundies, there is a ranunculus for everyone!
Snowdrops
Known as the “Fair Maid of February” snowdrops will often be seen poking up from the snow showing their delicate white blooms. A snowdrop is a sure way to know spring is finally springing! Deer and small animal resistant, they are perfect for all gardens.
Grape Hyacinth
Another low growing early spring bulb. Cheery purple blooms which pop up just when you need to see colour. Best of all, for deer problems, grape hyacinth are deer resistant!
Anemone
Also grown from corms, anemone are also known as Grecian Windflowers, as the Greek word “anemos” translates as “wind”. They are a beautiful daisy-like flower which blooms in early spring. They are low growing, 2 – 3 feet tall only, so plant to plant them in the front of garden areas.
Bulb Planting 101
September and October are the best times to plant your spring bulbs, before the first frost and after temperatures have cooled down to below 12°C/55°F. Plan your planting area in a sunny spot which has good drainage. Dig a hole two to three times deeper than the bulb’s height, place the bulb pointy side up, and cover it with soil. Water the area thoroughly to settle the soil around the bulbs. You can add bone meal and bulb fertilizer into the bulb hole as well. Bone meal is an essential mineral for root development and increases phosphorus. Newly planted bulbs will use the bone meal throughout the winter to grow strong healthy roots, which will nurture and feed the blooms when they emerge in spring. Bulb fertilizer will give the bulb the nourishment it will need to push new sprouts up into the world. Once your new sprouts have emerged you can give another feeding of bulb fertilizer, this will help you bulb to have strong and vibrant flowers.
Give your bulbs some soil amenders as well, such as aged manure, aged compost, worm castings, and insect frass. You can mix into the soil at the time of planting and again use soil amenders as a top dressing once the bulbs sprout.
Why Bulbs?
Bulbs are so easy to plant and care for, they will bloom for any gardener from novice to experienced, and there is nothing quite like planting something in the fall, forgetting about it all winter and then enjoying the most spectacular blooms in early spring before the rest of your garden is even awake! Give bulbs a try this year, plant in gardens, pots, and borders. You will be so happy next spring you did it!
Stay in Touch With Us!
Be the first to find out about new arrivals, in store only specials, flyer sales, workshops and more! Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.