Make the McKenzie Connection!
Make the McKenzie Connection!
“You plant spring-flowering bulbs in fall; they grow over winter, flourish in spring, and go dormant in summer,” said Heather Stoven, a horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. “Once they’re in the ground, they do quite well over multiple years with little maintenance.”
On top of that, bulbs are drought-tolerant. “That’s one of the great things about them,” Stoven said. “Since they go dormant in summer, they don’t need to be watered.”
She said that if you plan to intermingle bulbs with perennials or place them near shrubs, pair them with plants that don’t need much irrigation. If the area gets regular water, make sure the soil drains well.
Bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, crocus, and hyacinth are planted in the fall because they need time to establish roots before pushing up to put on a spring show. Although October and November are ideal for planting, bulbs can go underground until mid-December.
When purchasing bulbs, choose large ones. The bigger the bulb, the bigger the bloom, Stoven said. Also, avoid those with mold or soft spots, which signal rot. Plant as soon as possible, but if something comes up to delay you, store bulbs in a cool, dim place such as an unlit garage.
Plan before buying
Make a plan before heading to the garden center. Decide on color combinations. Do a little research to choose early, mid-, and late-blooming varieties for a longer display. Think about what to plant together – a mix of different bulbs is an attractive option. A big swath of the same type and color bulbs will make a statement, too.
As you get ready to plant, dig holes to fit multiple bulbs rather than planting one at a time. This will create a more natural effect.
“Groupings are nice,” Stoven said. “You’ll get a mass of color.”
When digging the hole, it’s best to follow the directions on the package for planting depth, but a general rule of thumb is three times as deep as the bulb is wide. Add some organic material—compost, well-rotted manure, or mulch—to the bottom of the hole, place the bulb pointed side up, and cover with soil. Adding fertilizer is not necessary, but if you feel compelled, use superphosphate or a low-concentrated product labeled for bulbs, Stoven said.
There’s no need to dig bulbs up after flowering, but letting the foliage turn brown and die back is a good idea so that the nutrients contained in the leaves return to the bulb, which can then start the cycle again.
Stoven’s recommendations for uncommon spring-blooming bulbs
Fawn lily (Erythronium oregonum)
An Oregon native wildflower with dainty, nodding white or yellowish flowers and brown-stained leaves. It doesn’t mind shade and looks inviting in a woodland setting.
Grecian windflower (Anemone blanda)
Delicate, star-like flowers in blue, white, and pink bloom on frilly foliage that melt away soon after the bloom is over. They are best used in a mass. “Blue is especially nice to have as a contrast to yellow daffodils,” Stoven said.
Allium
Part of the garlic family, this deer-resistant bulb puts up a stem with one ball-shaped flower, usually in shades of purple, pink, and blue, more infrequently white. Sizes vary widely from the 10-inch flowers of ‘Globemaster’ to the tiny pops of 1-inch drumstick alliums.
Fritillaria
Another group of bulbs with wide variation. On crown imperial fritillaria (F. imperialis), bell-shaped flowers in orange or yellow hang in clusters from single stems up to 5 feet tall. The much smaller native checker lily (F. affinis) has dark purple flowers spotted irregularly with yellow.
Species tulips
Just like their big siblings, but shorter, hardier, and longer lasting. They come in many colors, and often, the flowers open wider than regular tulips. These bulbs will seed themselves, so they’ll naturalize and give years of enjoyment.
Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Flowers, shrubs, and trees.
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