PLANTING TIME

The optimum time to plant bulbs in S. WI is usually from October 1 to about December 15. Planting them too early may result in premature ABOVE GROUND Autumn growth and reduced Spring bloom. If you do not have the time to plant your bulbs immediately, PLEASE store them in a cool place until time permits. Storage in a warm garage or a damp basement corner may kill the bulbs and be very disconcerting to both you and your supplier. 1-2 weeks of storage in your refrigerator's fruit and vegetable drawers works very well but without fruits and vegetables in the same drawer. Longer refrigeration may abort the internal flower buds. If refrigerator experiments, involving fruits or vegetables, are stored with bulbs, bulb damage may occur. Planting two weeks before a 2" deep freeze, bulbs generally will be in great shape. Mulch immediately after planting with 2-3" of shredded oak or conifer bark.

PLANTING DEPTH

SPECIAL BULBS:  plant at noted depth

Anemone (Wind Flower)(1) 1”                

Anemonella (False Rue Anemone)(1)(3) 1”   

Brodiaea (1) 2-3”

Cyclamen (Cyclamen)(1) ½ of bulb in ground, remainder atop with light mulch

Anemonella (False Rue Anemone)(1)(3) 1”   

Claytonia (Spring Beauty)(1)(3) 1”       

Corydalis (Fumeworts)(1)(3) 1”

Dentaria (Toothwort)(1)(3) 1”

Eranthis (Winter Aconite)(1)(3) 1”      

Ipheion (1) 2-3”

MINOR BULBS: plant at 3 - 4" deep.

Allium (Onion small species)(3)                

Arisaema (Jack-in-the-Pulpit)(1)(3)      

Bellevallia (Bellevallia)                                         

Brimeura (Wild Hyacinth)(3)                              

Bulbocodium (Spring Saffron)                  )                 

Chinodoxa (Glory-of-the-Snow)3)           

Crocus (Spring & Autumn(4) Crocus)                 

Cypripedium (Lady Slipper Orchids)(1)                                                                

Dicentra (Dutchman's Breeches)(1)(3) 

 

Endymion (Woodland Hyacinths)(1)

Erythronium (Trout Lily)(1)(3)

Fritillaria (Checker Lily species)(1)

Galanthus (Snow Drops)(3

Hycinthoides (Woodland Hyacinths)(1) 

Iris danfordiana (Danford Iris)

Iris reticulata (Reticulated Iris)

Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)(2)

Oxalis (Sorrel)(1)

Ornithogalum (Star-of-Bethlehem)

Puschkinia (Squill) (3

Scilla (Squill) (3)

Trillium (Wake Robin)(1)

INTERMEDIATE BULBS: plant at 4-5" deep.

Colchicum (Meadow Saffron)(4)             

Iris bucharica (Buchar Iris)

Eremerus (Foxtails)(1)

Leucojum(Spring Snowflakes)(1)(2)(3)

Liatris (Gayfeather)(1)

Narcissus (Daffodil divisions 5 - 8, 10)                                                     

Tulipa (Tulip species)

MAJOR BULBS: plant at 6-8" deep.

Allium (Onion lg. species)                        

Camassia (Camas)(1)                             

Fritillaria (Crown Imperial & Lg. spp.)  

Hyacinthus (Hyacinth)           

Iris hybridum (Dutch Iris)(1)

Iris xiphioides (English Iris)                  

Lilium (Lily)(1)                                     

Lycoris (Magic Lily)(1)(4)

Narcissus (Daffodil div. 1,2,3,4,9,11)

Tulipa (Tulip lg. flowering cultivars.)

(1) Often require 3-5 years to fully establish. (2) Leaf growth begins in the Autumn - it's normal! (3) Seeds naturally. Flowers in three to five years from seed. (4) Foliage in Spring, flowers in very late Summer or Autumn.

Generally plant bulbs deeper in light sandy soils and shallower in heavy -- clay soils. If in doubt, cover a bulb to a depth of three times their maximum diameter. Plant bulbs with their growth tips facing any direction except directly down. Most bulbs are tear or drop shaped. The point is the top. On other bulbs, check for dried roots, plant with roots downward. Anemone, Eranthis, and Fritillaria are almost impossible to tell which way is up, just plant them and they will find their way. Liatris is slightly concave on the top. Trillium is planted horizontally as it is a rhizome. Anemone and Eranthis should be soaked in 70°F water overnight. This plumps up the bulbs and promotes more rapid development before the onset of winter.

SPACING

Spacing is rarely a problem in the garden. Few of us plant bulbs in recommended quantities. Spacing is a matter of personal preference. In the residential garden, I prefer planting bulbs in random clumps and waves of 5-15 each. When blooming, the effect is very natural and pleasant.

MINOR BULBS are planted at 90 to 188 per three by three foot area. This is about one bulb every 2-5".

INTERMEDIATE & MAJOR BULBS are planted at 24-40 per square yard. This is about one bulb every 6-8".

FERTILIZATION

I recommend a complete 9 element, 6-8 month time and temperature release fertilizer such as our custom blended REMKE® 22-3-3 + 6 micro-nutrients. Topical or broadcast applications should be made post planting at 1 to 2 pounds (one cup is ½ pound) per ten by ten foot area. REMKE® supplies all the necessary minerals for good sturdy growth. Annual Autumn applications contribute to quality growth on bulbs and herbaceous perennials for the entire following season. Bulbous perennials use their stored food (which is the bulb) for Spring blooms. This needs to be replenished before Summer's dormancy. If there's a reduction in the nutrient availability in the Spring, bulbs may fail to bloom properly the following year.

Recent studies, at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, show a good fertilizer must be applied in the Autumn. Nutrition will readily be available for active Spring growth. Studies have shown that Spring fertilizer applications may actually contribute to the decline of many bulbs.

Bone meal, incorporated into the soil at time of planting, encourages dogs and other vermin to dig up the planting bed to find the `bones' etc. Little total nutrient, but no harm, is derived from bone meal. Most Southern Wisconsin soils are high in total Phosphorus and Potassium but low in Nitrogen. Well-composted organics are excellent but avoid fresh animal wastes as they often promote fungal and bacterial diseases.

WATERING

If Spring or the location is dry, bulbs appreciate additional water to keep the soil moist. Most bulbs enjoy copious amounts of water in the Spring but very little during dormancy. If there is snow, keep it piled on them as long as possible. Watering is generally not necessary when planting but if the soil is dry, I recommend irrigating two days before planting for ease in planting.

During a bulb's dormancy, excessive watering reduces its vitality or potentially kills many of your favorites. Most species and cultivars of Bulbocodium, Eremerus, Hyacinthus, Oxalis and Tulipa (above all!) enjoy hot dry conditions during the summer months. Planting these bulbs with heavy water requiring annuals or perennials, may not allow the bulbs to properly mature. Insufficient maturation often results in improper flowering in subsequent years or terminal rotting of your beloved bulbs.

Allium, Anemone, Brimeura, Camassia, Chinodoxa, Crocus, Endymion, Erythronium, Galanthus, Leucojum, Lilium (certain types), Lycoris, Muscari, Narcissus, Scilla and Trillium tolerate moist conditions and are better suited to the moist flower border. There are always exceptions to the above, as many species and cultivars are involved, being native to many different environmental conditions. A testimony to Tulipa's desire for hot dry summers was the magnificent flowering of Tulips in the Spring of 1989 following the drought of 1988!

MULCHING

Anemone, Camassia, Autumn Crocus, Colchicum, Corydalis, Cyclamen, Eremurus, Iris and Oxalis should be mulched in November or December with a 1-2" deep LIGHT and AIRY shredded bark, evergreen boughs, marsh straw or leaves. Generally, mulching for the first Winter is important. Other bulbs may be mulched simultaneously but it is not as critical for their survival. A year round shredded bark mulch of 2" prevents erosion, maintains moderate soil temperatures and moisture, and provides for clean blooms. Ground covers, (e.g., Dianthus deltoides, Ajuga reptans and Vinca minor) are excellent `permanent' mulches and may be planted with many bulbs to mask dying foliage. Caution: some ground covers may be allelopathic and may `kill’ all other plantings within their areas; Convallaria Lily-of-the-Valley and Aegopodium Snow-on-the-Mountain are two prime suspects.

FOLIAGE

When the bulb’s foliage begins to turn yellow, it may be CUT off -- do not tear or pull it off as the bulbs may be damaged. Damaging the bulbs allows for pest and disease opportunities. Wait six to eight weeks from the time of flower before cutting off the foliage on Narcissus and Tulipa. This may be done even if it has not completely turned yellow.

Certain species of bulbs do not bloom at the same time as the foliage. Lycoris produces foliage in the Spring with the foliage dying in early Summer. It then blooms in August without any leaves. Muscari begins its growth in August, surprising many gardeners into believing they have weeds or wondering about Autumn blooming. Colchicum and Autumn Crocus follow Lycoris' pattern. Occasionally Anemone x fulgens also comes up in the Autumn. Bulbs are part of Mother Nature's grand scheme, as we are -- so ENJOY!

MAINTENANCE

Bulbs require little care other than the above. If desired, remove spent flower pods and flower stalks - pedicels, on hybrid or non-species Tulips, Daffodils and Lilies. Known as dead-heading, this practice is NOT required in the home garden. If desired, on Narcissus the pedicel may be cut to within 2 inches of the ground. On Tulipa hybrids, you may remove the pedicel just above the second highest leaf on the stem. On Lilium, cut off the stem just below the lowest flower’s pedicel. I don’t dead head unless the seed heads are unsightly. Many are beautiful.

On MINOR BULBS: Allium, Anemone, Arisaema, Eranthis, Erythronium, Galanthus, Iris, Muscari, Scilla, Trillium, Tulipa species, etc., allow the seeds to ripen. The seeds are ripe when the pods begin to open. Let the seeds drop to the ground or collect them and plant them by broadcasting in a desired location. No need to bury them as Mother Nature accommodates.

Most bulbs are monocots with the sprouts looking like grasses. Bulb seedlings feel rubbery when gently pinched, grasses do not. Bulb seeds generally produce flowering size bulbs in 3-10 years. Be patient for the rewards may be great.

MATURATION

Maturation or planting shock on certain bulbs is occasionally disconcerting -- Oak trees are not majestic overnight! Anemone*, Anemonella*, Arisaema*, Bulbocodium, Camassia*, Claytonia*, Corydalis*, Cypripedium*, Dentaria*, Dicentra*, Endymion, Eranthis, Eremerus, Erythronium*, Frittilaria, Leucojum, Liatris, Ornithogalum, Oxalis*, Trillium*, and certain species of Tulipa may not bloom the first year. Often these bulbs require some time for environmental adaptation. When purchasing many of the above bulbs, you may have noticed these bulbs were not sold as dry bulbs (in bins at garden centers). The * bulbs should be sold, planted or stored in sphagnum peat. Prolonged dry storage commonly renders the bulb useless.

Occasionally, the foliage on many of the above bulbs may not even show the first Spring but it often flowers quite nicely the following season. This may be due to planting depth, time of planting, weather, age of bulb, storage before and after you received the bulbs and a host of other environmental conditions.

Erythronium bulbs expand and contract together with soil temperature and moisture. Gradually, over a period of years, the bulb finds its proper soil depth and only then commences blooming. Erythronium from seed to proper planting depth requires 8-10 years. Of course, planting mature bulb stock at the proper depth circumvents this long wait and shortens it to 1-3 years.

SPRING GROWTH

Newly planted bulbs commonly make their Spring arrival somewhat later than bulbs that have had a year or two in the ground. Some bulbs such as, Anemone, Anemonella, Arisaema, Claytonia, Dentaria, Dicentra cucularia, Erythronium, Leucojum, Lycoris, Lilium martagon, Narcissus poeticus, and Trillium may require a full year before emerging from the soil. Patience is difficult but the rewards are worth the wait.

HARDINESS

Not all bulbs listed in catalogues are hardy in Southern Wisconsin. When using any list of bulbs, it is imperative that we interpret the information correctly. Soil composition, moisture, exposure, acidity, alkalinity, quality and size of bulb, genetic strain, nutrition, abnormal seasonal variations all play their part in whether your bulbs make it or not. When trying new types of bulbs for the first time, don't plant them all in one location -- try many locations. Note where they prosper for that is the most favorable environment.

FLOWERING HEIGHTS

Many of us become a little frustrated in seeing the Spring flowering bulbs blooming at a height very different from what the books and catalogues indicate. Flowering height is conditional. If the Winter is very mild and/or somewhat short, bulbs may not be able to obtain the necessary chilling temperature for sufficient periods. These conditions result in Hyacinthus blooming deep in the foliage crown, and short stems on Narcissus flowers. Conversely, ideal cold periods result in very tall stately stems. Unfortunately, you will need to wait until the following year to have the pleasure of taller stems. Tulipa is one of the few flowers where the stems elongate before, during and after flowering as well as after cutting them for your vase.

ANIMAL DAMAGE

Many of our flowering bulbs produce tasty treats for rodents, rabbits and deer. ROPEL® and similar products work relatively well but are no means permanent solutions. Chicken wire works well on rabbits but poorly on rodents. Hardware cloth works best on mice. Crocus, Chinodoxa and hybrid Tulipa are a few favorite feasts of mice and rabbits. Crocus tomasianus & its cultivars e.g. `Ruby Giant’ is one of the few Crocus resistant to squirrels.

DESIGNS

Landscape Designs, Inc. supplies thousands of winter hardy bulbs to Southern Wisconsin gardeners each year. (Over 50,000 in 1999.) Many of these are installed by us through BULB DESIGNS done by Landscape Designs. A BULB DESIGN may be included in almost any landscape and provides many years of enjoyment with minimal maintenance. Naturalization is the ability of a bulb to mature and multiply in a given environment without any additional care. Naturalization occurs in hundreds of different species and cultivars of bulbs. Many native hardy bulbs such as Anemonella, Arisaema, Dentaria, Erythronium, Liatris, Lilium and Trillium provide countless years of enjoyment with minimal, if any maintenance. Our BULB DESIGNS pay attention to the environmental conditions and your desires for a beautiful and enduring landscape.

           SPRING bulbs are a welcome addition to any garden and fill the blooming void that would otherwise be present in most perennial gardens. Given a small amount of TLC, the rewards are often spectacular. Showy, with many being very long lived, nothing says an end to Winter in Wisconsin like the first blossoms of SPRING!

RECOMMENDED REFERENCES:

BULBS Roger Phillips & Martyn Rix, 1989                              

BULBS John E. Bryan, 1989

PARK'S SUCCESS WITH BULBS Alfred F. Sheider, 1981

TAYLOR'S GUIDE TO BULBS Norman Taylor, 1986

PERENNIALS FOR AMERICAN GARDENS  R. Clausen & N. Ekstrom, 1989

HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL PLANTS Allan M. Armitage 1997

Any questions, please contact us.

All scientific names are in italics.

Happy Gardening!

Copyright by Stephen S. Lesch September 1985.  Revised 1986, `87, `88, `89, `92, `93  `94, `96, `99 and 2000.