We're in the midst of prime bulb-planting season. If you haven't already, get to work planting those crocuses, chiondoxas, fritillarias, hyacinths, scillas, tulips and daffodils. Later-blooming lilies and irises need to go in now as well.
But if you're not quite ready, there's no need to panic -- technically they should be fine as long as they're in the ground before it freezes. If you haven't purchased bulbs yet, you still have a bit of time to do so -- and if rush delivery is an option, you might even be able to go mail order.
As this is the last day of our bulb series, I'll leave you with some basics.
Bulb-planting guidelines
1. Planting depth should be 3-5 times the height of the bulb, or 3 times the diameter for all bulbous plants, except hyacinths and tulips. Those do best when planted 12 inches deep.
2. Bulbs need good drainage. Choose your site accordingly.
3. Only purchase bulbs that have been packaged in mesh bags or boxes with ventilation holes. Plastic is taboo!
4. Get them in the ground before frost.
5. Ever wonder why when you follow the bulb-spacing directions on the package, your garden looks sparse? For a lush showing, plant 450 small bulbs or 200 large bulbs in a 50 sq. ft. area; 900 small or 400 large in a 100 sq. ft. area; and 1800 small bulbs or 800 large in a 200 sq. foot area.
6. Never remove, braid or otherwise tamper with leaves of plants that have finished blooming. They need them to photosynthesize and store nutrients for next year.
7. Squirrels and rabbits are repelled by the toxins in daffodil bulbs. Plant them among your tulips to protect the whole bed.
Beautiful bulbs
In addition to the cool Colorblends I told you about earlier this week, here are some of my favorite findings this year. All are from reputable distributors:
 | Muscari mixture April-May blooming Seen at vanengelen.com |
 | Tulipa humilis Eastern Star April blooming Seen at vanengelen.com |
 | Tulip Antoinette May blooming Seen at vanengelen.com |
 | Tulip Double Dazzle Late April Seen at vanengelen.com |
 | Bi-color Blue Grape Hyacinth April-May blooming Seen at dutchbulbs.com |
 | Bronze Dutch Iris Blend May-June blooming Seen at dutchbulbs.com |
 | Butterfly Daffodil Rainbow Of Colors March-April blooming Seen at dutchbulbs.com |
| Narcissus Safina April blooming Seen at whiteflowerfarm.com |
 | Camassia leichtlinii Alba May-June blooming Seen at whiteflowerfarm.com |
