Spring Bulbs: It’s Never Too Early for Spring!

September 7, 2016 | By webadmin

Ok, we get it. It’s not even fall yet and we’re already talking about bulbs! But if you want a pretty show of spring flowering bulbs, such as tulips or daffodils, now is the time to get planning. Spring blooming bulbs are available for sale in the fall in our climate, and need to be planted no later than December if you want to enjoy their spring color. Choosing the right combination of colors will set your spring bulb display apart.

Color Abounds

Every year, new color combinations are released based on the most current trends in fashion and home decor. We understand it can be overwhelming choosing a palette so we suggest considering simple elements such as the color of your front door, favorite colors or even a color theme that might match the interior of your home. Once you choose a color blend, we’ll find bulbs varieties that can coordinate.

Fashion trends is a great place to start when it comes to choosing colors for the landscape.

Analogous colors are those that sit next to each other on the color wheel. Such color combinations create a softer, natural look. Layer red with orange and yellow for a balanced combination. Pink, purple and red blend for a lush, regal look.

Layers of colors that lie next to each other on the color wheel create a palette that is soft and pleasing.

Complimentary colors are those that sit opposite one another on color wheel; these are the most vibrant, because the colors are contrasting but match one another in intensity. Complimentary combinations include yellow and purple and orange and blue.

Purple and orange tulips make for a dramatic display.

Planting Time

You can plant daffodils, alliums, crocus, Dutch iris, grape hyacinth (Muscari) and other bulbs from late-September through the fall. However, planting time for bulbs such as tulips and hyacinth must never be planted until the soil temperatures cool to a consistent 50-54°F; after Thanksgiving. Prime time for tulip planting in the Dallas area falls right around Christmas.

My Tulips Never Look Like the Ones in the Magazines….

It’s not easy to get tulip displays just right. The biggest mistakes we see when it comes to planting tulips are:

• Not enough bulbs were planted, and too far apart.
• Bulbs were planted too shallow.
• Bulbs were planted too late.

You always need to plant more bulbs than you think you do. It’s best to plant tulips close together en masse, or in large clumps. You should always plant your tulips a good 6-8 inches below the soil surface. And in Dallas tulips should be planted after Thanksgiving and ideally before the end of December.

When you plant tulips too shallow or too late, they can “blast”, meaning the flower emerges at the bottom of the plant on a very short stem because they’ve warmed too quickly; or they may not bloom at all.  

Ready to design? Give us a call. Still need a little more inspiration? Visit our Houzz Bulb Garden Idea Book, browse the fashion, garden and home magazines, then call us with your dream pallette. We’ll continue to discuss the various bulbs we’ll be planting this fall for your spring enjoyment here on our blog through fall.