Many kinds of bulbs are planted in the fall. A great number of them give spring bloom. Examples are snowdrops, squills, grape hyacinths, crocuses, tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. A few are not hardy in the northern part of our region, but most can winter through, especially with good mulch protection.
Select good-sized bulbs if you are interested in top quality and size of bloom. Bulb size varies with the genus and species and even within varieties. The best way to be sure of top quality is to buy from a reliable dealer.
Many are termed “Dutch” bulbs implying that a great percentage of the arc is produced in Holland and Belgium and imported to America. However, top-quality daffodils, in particular, are being produced along the West Coast in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.
Some outstanding varieties are being introduced by a few of our hybridizers like Jan de Graaff and Grant Mitsch. Last year’s growing conditions have an important bearing on the quality of this year’s bloom. That is why buying the best quality bulb is important.
Performance of Bulb Plantings
The permanence and future performance of bulb plantings depend on how well you provide drainage and maintain organic matter and nutrients in the soil. The depth of planting will vary according to the kind of bulb. Grape hyacinths, snowdrops, squills (scilla), chionodoxa, and crocus can be planted so the base is about four to five inches deep.
Plant hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils so their bases are six, nine, and ten inches deep respectively. Usually the larger the bulb, the deeper it should go. Spacing will vary according to species.
Plant all of one variety in the same depth if you wish to have the flowers bloom at the same time. Use early, midseason, and late blooming varieties to give a succession of blooms.
Bulbous Plants
Some of the less known bulbous plants are more temperamental about their environment and culture. Some interesting “bulbs” include the lesser-known species of narcissus and tulip, hardy cyclamens, bulbous iris, alliums, Calochortus, fritillaria, erythronium, brodiaea, camassia, colchicum, and tigridia.
Not all the bulbs we plant in fall are spring blooming. There are many species and hybrid varieties of lilies available. Through a proper selection, we can have them in bloom from June to September. Many lily species are susceptible to various diseases, but hybrids between species usually exhibit remarkable vigor including disease resistance.
Fall is the Time to Plant Lilies
Planting depth varies with bulb size and type. Generally, types that are stem rooting (roots arise along the stem above the bulb) can be planted so the bases are about 10 inches deep.
Varieties that are base rooting should be shallower ó seven inches should suffice for most kinds. The Madonna lily is the one exception where shallow planting, one to two inches, is advised.
Never let lily bulbs be exposed to our dry atmosphere for any length of time. Make every effort to plant bulbs as soon as received. Bulbs may be dipped in a suitable fungicide like Fermate or Captan to reduce botrytis and basal rot just before planting.
44659 by Leonard A. Yager