Plan now for spring-flowering bulbs

Many gardeners are still harvesting cucumbers and tomatoes or gearing up to plant some colorful mums. Now is also the time to think ahead about spring-flowering bulbs. It can be easier getting through the cold winter months when you know there will be bright, colorful flowers to let you know spring has finally arrived.

Mailboxes will soon be laden with catalogs from bulb suppliers, and garden center shelves will be full of spring bulbs to entice gardeners. Although we’re still dealing with summer-like temperatures, from now until about mid-November is the best time to start planting spring bulbs.

To ensure gardeners have the best choices, order early or visit the garden center soon for the best selections. The bulb catalogs will offer a larger variety of cultivars and species from which to choose, but most local outlets will have plenty to choose from.  

To get started, choose an area in the landscape that drains well. A lot of soil in Oklahoma is clay, which creates soggy conditions. Add organic material to enhance the soil. Another option is to plant in raised beds or on a slope. Keep in mind that the bulbs need at least six hours of unfiltered fun each day.

Don’t be stingy when it comes to planting. Consider planting tulip bulbs in groups of 20 or more, spaced about a foot apart, as opposed to tight clumps or scattered all over the landscape. That bright pop of color will be rewarding next spring. Also, daffodils provide a fantastic display when organized in swaths, like a lazy river. Definitely avoid planting in a straight row.

Gardeners can get a longer display of color with a little bit of planning. Mix different species and varieties of species to create a lasting effect. Tulip bulbs are available in early, mid- and late-season blooming varieties and this will help ensure color over several weeks. 

Don’t go too deep when planting, not even with tulips. Bulbs shouldn’t be planted deeper than two to three times the diameter of the bulb. For a 1-inch bulb plant no deeper than 3 inches.

Unlike many trees and bushes, tulip and hyacinth bulbs won’t last for years. Most of the tulip varieties succumb to Oklahoma summers and heavy clay soils. Treat them like an annual and expect to replant again next fall. Though, there are a few species tulips to consider that should last for several years. Daffodils, crocuses, grape hyacinths, and others tend to naturalize or multiply year after year. Old clumps that seem to be declining should be divided! Keep the largest, healthiest bulbs and discard any small, weak or damaged bulbs.

Be sure to check out some of the other spring-bulbs, including Peruvian lily, Giant allium, Poppy anemone, Wood anemone, Lily-of-the-Valley, Crocus, Crown imperial, Checkered lily,  Snowdrop, Grape hyacinth, Wood hyacinth or and Squill. 

In addition to spring-flowering bulbs, don’t forget that pansies can be planted now along with ornamental cabbage and kale, and other cool-season flowers. The pansies will be quite happy through most of the winter and come spring, by the time the bulbs are popping through the ground, they will begin to delight you with a colorful display.