Van Bourgondien

Garden Guide Bulbs and Tubers

Near effortless planting preparation produces spectacular rewards. No other types of plants will give the gardener more beauty, or a wider range of variety, color and flowering times than flowering bulbs. They will produce flowers of incredible colors from one end of the growing season to the other. Nothing else will reward you with so much pleasure for so little effort.

Color and time of bloom are two of the most important elements to consider when planning your bulb and garden planting. It can be very helpful to make a sketch of your garden before planting. Consider which bulbs to plant and where based upon height,sunlight, color and blooming time. Remember, some bulbs (most of the bulbs you plant in fall) are hardy and can remain undisturbed for years while others (most of the bulbs you plant in spring) are tender and must be dug up and stored before cold weather sets in.

Good soil preparation is the first step to successful bulb gardening. Make sure the soil is loose and porous. Well-drained soil is a must or bulbs will rot.The soil should be turned over and organic matter or peat moss should be worked through so that good root development can be formed.

To encourage root development work a bulb nutrient such as Bulb Buddy^TM into the soil. The depth of planting for bulbs depends on their size. A good rule of thumb is that the depth should be three times the diameter of the bulb. Small bulbs should be covered with 1–2" of soil while large bulbs should be planted 6–8" deep (see individual listings for specifics). In the South, plant large bulbs 2" deeper than the normal recommendations.

The spacing of bulbs depends largely on the effect you are trying to achieve. The most effective planting technique is to plant most bulbs in clumps rather than in individual lines. Space bulbs according to color with the softer colors in the front and the more vibrant in the background. Group bulbs according to height and in sequential bloom pattern for a long-lasting show of color.

Plant with the pointy side facing up. If you can’t tell which is the rooting side and which is the sprouting side, plant the bulb on its side. It will figure out which way is up!

Varieties

Abyssinian Gladiolus

See Acidanthera bicolor 'murielae'

Achimenes grandiflora

(Star of India) Start rhizomes indoors between January and April. Plant 1/2" deep and 1" apart in a mixture of moist peat moss and sand. Keep them in a warm (60–65°F), lightly shaded location. Do not overwater since rhizomes may rot. Give plants more light (never hot direct sunlight) as growth appears. Feed when actively growing. Grows 6-10" tall and blooms July-August. Dig and dry at end of growing season and store in a cool dry place. Outdoors After danger of frost has passed and plants started indoors are 3" high, transplant them into a shady garden. Instead of garden soil, use a loose mixture of peat moss, sand or perlite and leaf mold. Fertilize once a month and protect from direct sun and wind. Can be used as a hanging basket plant.

Acidanthera bicolor 'murielae'

(Abyssinian Gladiolus) Plant in spring in a sunny, well-drained area. Space bulbs 6" apart and 3–4" deep. Water well throughout the growing season. They grow 24-36" tall and flower from August through September and are especially fragrant. Dig and store indoors for the winter in zones 3–7. Hardy in zones 8–10. Now classified as Gladiolus oallianthus 'murielae'.

Allium

Plant all varieties of Allium in rich, welldrained soil in full sun in early fall. The smaller varieties of Allium should be planted 4" deep and the larger varieties 7–8" deep. Alliums are members of the onion family, so their fragrance may be rather pungent. Zones 4–10.

Alocasia

See Colocasia

Alpine Hyacinth

See Brimeura amethystina

Amarcrinum howardii

Plant bulbs so the bulb 'nose' is 2" below soil surface in the spring after all chance of frost has passed. Plant in well-drained, fertile soil in sun to light shade. Keep soli moist, but not wet throughout the growing season. Can grown in containers on the patio so the sweet fragrance may be enjoyed.

Amaryllis Belladonna

(Belladonna Lily) Choose a sunny, well-drained location. Dig to a depth of 12–15" and enrich the soil with organic matter. Replace about 9" of soil and plant the bulbs 4–6" apart. (In zones 9–10, plant bulbs only 1–2" deep). They do not like to be disturbed once planted. May be grown indoors as a potted plant with the culture the same as Hippeastrum. Grows 18" tall. Zones 9–10.

Anemone blanda

(Greek windflowers) Soak corms for 24 hours in tepid water before planting. Plant early in the fall 2" deep and 2" apart in full sun. Flowers may not open in shade. They grow about 6" tall and bloom April-May. Ideal for naturalizing. Hardy in zones 5–9.

Anemone coronaria 'De Caen'

Soak corms in tepid water overnight before planting. Plant the corms in a sunny area 2" deep and 4–6" apart with the rounded side facing upward. Grows 12" tall. Blooms June-August. From zone 8 south, plant outdoors in early fall. In zones 4–7, bulbs must be protected with a heavy winter cover of leaves or straw. In zones 2 and 3, plant in early spring after all danger of frost has passed. Hardy in zones 8-10.