Plants to Plant In Fall for Spring Rewards

The fall season here in my Zone 6 garden in SW Ohio has been beautiful.  Sufficient rainfall, and extremely mild temperatures have blessed us for several weeks.   It was because of this wonderful weather, that I had to do a double take when I realized that calendar had moved ahead and now I have to hustle to get some fall chores done.

One chore is to select and plant spring flowering bulbs.  Tulips, Hyacinths, Daffodils, and Crocus had completely slipped my mind.  So, getting a good selection of bulbs is timely.  The longer the bulbs sit at the garden center, the more dried out and moldy they can become.

bulb planter

Select firm bulbs. If they are mushy, the bulb will struggle to get established and may rot over winter.  The ideal time to plant spring flowering bulbs is October until the ground freezes.  I have successfully planted daffodil bulbs in December in my garden. I rarely endure a spring bonanza of color without regretting that I did not plant more bulbs in the fall. 

Soil depths of bulbs depends on the diameter of the bulb.  Large tulip and daffodil bulbs need to be 6” – to 8” deep.  Where smaller crocus or muscari bulbs (grape hyacinths)  need to be planted about 2 times (2x) the bulb’s diameter.


Bulbs can be used in containers also.  They need the same depth as if it was going into the ground.  Layering the bulbs will give an extended bloom time for the different bulbs.  This bouquet is lovely at a doorway or on a patio.

The small secondary, or minor bulbs and corms need a place in the garden too.  Tuck into the beds around other established plants small bulbs or corms like Anemone, Scilla, Glory in the Snow, or Snowdrops.

Anemone

Scilla

Glory in the Snow

Snow Drops

Since these blooms appear in the early spring, the sun/shade factor is of minimal concern, because the deciduous trees and shrubs will not have a full canopy of leaves to shade the planting areas.

Eranthis hyemalis, or Winter Aconite, appears in the woodland garden in late winter.  bulbs are available from on-line merchants like Amazon (here) and garden centers now for fall planting.

Winter Aconite

The late winter garden is brought to life with the early blooming Witch Hazel.  The dozens of varieties are available as shrub or small trees. Fall planting of Witch Hazel is going to get the plant established before the ground freezes.   This is truly wonderful promise of spring to come.




Hellebores can also be planted in October.  The garden under deciduous trees is idea, as Hellebores like the winter sun, and summer shade.  Soil should be amended with organic matter. Plant away from soggy, low areas.
These Hellebores are in containers.  This elevates them somewhat so the low, downward blooms are easily enjoyed.

 
Whether planting bulbs, shrubs, or perennials, October is the time to focus on Spring. Don't let spring next year be a time when you shake your head in a 'Would-a, Could-a, Should-a' moment'.

(Amazon pays me a small commission for online purchases.  Thanks for shopping with me).

Spring Bulbs – Still time to Plant

When I was working at local garden centers in the early spring, I had so many folks come in and want the tulips, or daffodils that were putting on their seasonal show.  The best I could do was show them the few we had potted up in containers.  So I want to remind you that this is the time to plant spring bulbs.  The few hours of planting now in the chill of fall will pay off big time in March and April.
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The basics of planting spring bulbs are  1) Pick firm bulbs.  These are available are garden centers and on line from growers.
2) Plant after the ground is cool, after frost, but before ground freezes.  Getting bulbs in the ground 6 weeks before ground freezes enables the roots to develop.  In areas where you do not have freezing winter soils, you can get the bulbs ready to plant by chilling them 6 – 8 weeks in the refrigerator; then plant.
  3)  Depth of planting depends on the bulb size.  A general rule is to plant to a depth of 3x the diameter of the bulb.  Tulips and Daffs – 7-8” deep; crocus, 4-5” deep.
Soil in the planting area needs to drain well.  Adding compost or peat moss will aid in this.  Any bulb needs a sunny area but as the deciduous trees are leafless in the early spring, sun is usually not an issue.
4) Plant pointed end up.  Roots will extend from the flat end but if you, by chance get this part wrong, these determined guys will not disappoint us and will find ‘up’.  I usually add bone meal to the planting hole. The phosphorous this adds will grow stronger roots for many years of blooms. 
 
5)  Plant bulbs in groups.  A recurring theme in landscape to to plant in odd numbers – 3-5-7 – This seems to be most pleasing to the eye.

6) Consider bloom times of the bulbs you pick.  Some will bloom early, some mid-season, and others will bloom late season.  The bulb descriptions will tell you the approximate bloom time.  By planting in sequence, you can extend the spring color for a couple of months, not just a few weeks. 
    This is my grandson, Luke. His garden pick many years ago was crocus and we still look forward to seeing them each spring.


Tulips have a tradition over 400 years of being ‘Spring’.  Originating in the Netherland, tulips have dozens of colors, and varieties from ‘Parrots’ which are fringed, to simple cups.  Squirrels  will dig up these bulbs and deer find tulips tasty. 
Daffodils, are Jonquils, are Narcissus.  From yellows, to pinks, these bulbs will naturalize and give you more and more blooms each year.  Deer and rodent resistant, Daffodils are quite reliable and showy.  Some are ‘double’ petals, some are dual colors.  I know you will have a hard time deciding which to include in your garden.
These Hyacinth are the most fragrant of the spring bulbs  The blooms last a couple of weeks and are high on 6-12” spikes.  Water in the fall if rain is scarce.  The show appears in March and April.
  These bulbs will usher in the spring with all of the promises of hope and growth we look forward to all winter.
Top right picture is ‘Glory in the Snow’, or Chionodoxa. The Miscari – or Grape Hyacinth is a favorite of mine.  Small, 6-7”  high and come in cobalt blue, ice blue, and white. The small photo on the left is Scilla.  Don’t overlook these minor bulbs.
The planting time for spring bulbs is running short.  In my Zone 5B garden, we can plant until the ground freezes, usually in December.  So count back your 6 – 8 weeks, and mid-November is about the latest we can plant.  So head out to the garden center and ‘think spring’. 

What is your favorite spring bulb?  Thanks for stopping by today.