Autumn is Time for Bulb Planting

Posted by Christine Eirschele Oct 20, 2009

If this sounds like a directive, I apologize. But really, hasn’t this become a truism teetering on the brink of a cliché. Just how many ways can one say, now is the time to plant bulbs you want to bloom first thing in spring.

Of course, these days there are advantages to promoting bulbs; we may have put aside in recent years, which make Narcissus, Allium, Muscari and tulips a better choice than ever. Bulbs are cheap, multiply quickly and, except for tulips, are not eaten up or relocated by deer, rabbits and rodents the world over.

Alliums Mucari and Narcissus Easy to Grow

I admit that Alliums are my ultimate favorite, next daffodils and Muscari and tulips the least of these. Rarely do I suggest tulips for low budget gardens or inexperienced gardeners bedazzled by the pallet of color, more on this later.

Alliums have too much to offer to be ignored; height and foliage variety, favored by songbirds and pollinators and drought tolerant verging on inclusion in sustainable or rooftop gardens where water is at a premium. Although the mammoth Globmaster or Gladiator bulbs are usually sold in single bags, the smaller alliums often are bagged by the economic handful.

But for maximum color punch my money is on Muscari. I admit to loving the color blue but these days Muscari also can be found in white, pink and bicolors. These minute sized bulbs are easy to plant and mix well with other low growing spring plants. Muscari foliage also does not require you to answer the age-old question, what do I do with that foliage after the bloom fades? Just leave it, as it stays green adding a bit of character to gardens the entire growing season.

Narcissus, or what we commoners like to call daffodils, are loved for their hardy, reliable contribution to all gardens. While they don’t flower in blues or reds, there are all shades of yellow and coral colors sometimes called pink. Anyway there is a bunch to choose from. So why on earth do we bother with tulips? Because we can!

Tulip Bulb Planting Strategies

Tulips bloom in all the colors the other bulbs do not. And that does not count the flower shapes, fluffy or straight and doubles or singles. Unfortunately, tulips do not thrive for multiple years in some environments. They dislike soggy soil for one, which can be the life of some gardens as winter snows melt. For many gardeners, tulips are done for after 2 or 3 years.

So, if you must have tulips, use them in special ways where they will be especially noticed and appreciated. I would suggest saving ¾ of the bulb budget for the types that multiply reliably year after year.

One strategy for planting tulips is to dig a hole large enough for two bulbs, one bulb a tulip and one something else for example an Allium or Muscari. This is no guarantee but it may persuade foraging characters from absconding with the more costly favorite.

I think bulb planting in fall is a measure of a true gardener. It indicates your willingness to plant in all types of weather and your vision for the possibilities next spring. So remember, autumn is time for bulb planting. Get out there and make your garden proud, it is sure to return the favor.