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Bulbs And Tubers
When you add bulbs to the summer flower garden, you add a long season of color and dazzling blooms. Depending on the type and the variety, they will bloom from late spring until early fall, providing a strong backdrop in mixed borders.
An underground leaf bud with fleshy scales and a short axis. Plant spring
flowering bulbs in the fall, before frost hardens the ground. This may be as early as September in colder climates or as late as November in warmer regions. In areas with extremely cold winter temperatures, some kinds of bulbs planted late will produce smaller flowers or weaker plants. For most hardy bulbs, the best planting site is an area that gets light shade during the warmest part of the day. Afternoon shade can prolong the lives of the flowers and help retain their deep color. Bulbs planted in a south-facing bed will flower earlier than those planted in a north facing one.
Plant the bulbs in spring or fall. Plant spring-flowering bulbs in the fall,
before frost hardens the ground. This may be as early as September in colder climates or as late as November in warmer regions. In areas with extremely cold winter temperatures, some kinds of bulbs planted late will produce smaller flowers or weaker plants. For most hardy bulbs, the best planting site is an area that gets light shade during the warmest part of the day. Afternoon shade can prolong the lives of the flowers and help retain their deep color. Bulbs planted in a south-facing bed will flower earlier than those planted in a north-facing one.
Bulbs require a soil that has good drainage. Heavy, compact soil prevents good root growth; Waterlogged soil will make the bulbs rot. To improve soil drainage, spade the area to be planted to a depth of 12". Work in a generous amount of well rotted manure or compost, or sphagnum peat moss. Although bulbs contain their first season's food supply, fertilizing is recomended to foster future growth. Before planting bulbs in the fall, spade in a fertilizer high in phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. Or work phophorus-rich bonemeal into the soil at the bottom of the planting hole or bed you've dug. Compost will give an extra boost, too.
For the most spectacular spring show, mass at least 20 bulbs of the same
variety and color together. To plant a clump of bulbs, dig a hole with the
loose soil until the depth is correct for your bulbs. For a solid color
effect, space tulips and other big bulbs 5" or 6" apart; smaller bulbs can
be placed closer together. Set each bulb point up, and press gently into the soil. Cover with enough soil to fill the hole. After planting bulbs in the
fall, cover the bed with a 3" to 4" layer of mulch, such as straw, wood chips or compost. Mulch insulates the soil to prevent extreme temperature fluctuation during the winter months. The mulch also helps conserve soil moisture. Remove the mulch as soon as the bulb foliage begins in the spring.
Field mice, squirrels and chipmunks like to feast on newly planted bulbs. To reduce the threat from rodents, plant bulbs away from garden walls or house foundations where the animals make runs. You can also cover the beds with a layer of chicken wire.
Bulbs get nourishment for next spring's display from this season's foliage. To let the leaves ripen naturally, avoid cutting or mowing the foliage until it has died back. Yellowing bulb foliage can be camouflaged by sowing seeds of annual flowers such as zinnias and marigolds in the open areas between the clumps. When preparing the soil to plant the annual seeds, do not disturb the bulbs. Some bulbs are never as vigorous in the second season. Thats why many gardeners dig up and discard these bulbs after they bloom. If time and your budget don't allow you to replace your bulb each year, these hardy bulbs will still produce beautiful blossoms for a few more years. Bulbs will grow stronger and spread with each bloom period. These bulbs should be left in place after they bloom. To prevent overcrowding, however, divide them every few years.
Source Unknown
Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there. ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732
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In warm areas, prune summer-blooming shrubs such as buddleia. Pruning stimulates new growth that produces the summer flowers. Prune out any dead or damaged branches and older wood that is less productive.
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