5 Best Bulbs To Plant In Spring

Fall gets all the glory as the time to plant bulbs, but some favorite summer-blooming bulbs prefer to be planted in spring. Here are five easy-to-grow bulbs, from familiar favorites like calla lilies and gladiolus to sturdy natives such as blazing star to plants like canna that add a lush, tropical look to your summer garden. Get the basics on these bulbs and how to grow them, and look for bulbs at your nursery or garden centers.

When to plant spring bulbs:

Planting spring bulbs isn’t difficult, but there are some rules of green thumb you should follow when you plant bulbs.

• First, be sure to plant them at the proper depth. Most bulbs do best when planted two-and-a-half to three times deeper than they are tall. In other words, if the bulb itself is two inches tall, the base of the bulb should be about six inches deep after planting.
• Next, the majority of bulbs prefer well-drained soils. Do not plant bulbs in boggy areas where they’re prone to rot.
• And finally, bulbs grow best in soil amended with compost or other organic matter. Work a few shovels of compost into the area before planting spring bulbs.

Asiatic Lilies

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Asiatic lilies differ greatly from their Oriental cousins mentioned above. They are earlier blooming, fragrance-free, and brighter colored. Their flowers aren’t typically as large as Oriental lilies and their stems are sturdier, so they don’t require extra support.

Oriental lilies

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The large, fragrant blooms of Oriental lilies are total show-stoppers in the garden. With scores of varieties available, there’s a broad range of colors and heights to choose from. Space Oriental lily bulbs about a foot apart, and be sure to stake the stems as they grow; their blossoms are heavy, and they’ll need the extra support.

Crocosmia

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Just like gladiolus and crocus, this perennial plant technically grows from corms (storage organs similar to bulbs). Reaching about three feet in height, the sword-like foliage is bright green. In mid-summer, stalks of arching flowers extend above the leaves. Common flower colors are red, orange, and yellow, depending on the variety. Crocosmia prefers full sun, and hummingbirds are frequently found dining on its nectar.

Calla Lily

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The sculptural “flowers” (which are actually bracts that hold a flower spike) of this South African native are equally at home in the garden or a flower arrangement. The common calla lily (Z. aethiopica) is the familiar white flower, which does well in the slightly colder temperatures of Zone 8.

Choose a location in light shade, though it can handle full sun where summers are cool. Plant rhizomes horizontally in well-amended, rich soil in early spring, setting them 4 inches deep and about a foot apart with the eyes facing upward. Feed with a lower-nitrogen fertilizer following recommended directions after planting to promote bloom.

Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season. Common calla lily is evergreen or semi-evergreen, so they cannot be dug up and stored.

Dahlia

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There’s something for everyone when it comes to dahlias. They can grow from 1 foot to over 7 feet fall, and flower forms are even more diverse, ranging in size from 2 to 10 inches across and in shapes from balls to pompoms to spiky orchid-like or novelty forms. Colors also run the gamut, from white to orange to purple.

Planting dahlias takes some preparation. Choose a spot in full sun, except in the hottest climates. A few weeks before planting, dig to about 1 foot and amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost.

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Source: smartpots.com

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