Bulb Basics

Some spring-blooming bulbs not only come back every year but they multiply over time. Among these good "naturalizers" are 'Salome' daffodils.

by Marie Hofer, Gardening editor, HGTV.com

It's one of those little miracles of gardening — a small bulb tucked into the soil in one season can reward the gardener the next growing season and, depending on the variety, for year after year after that. Before those bulbs sprout into colorful flowers, however, they'll need to be given the right site, planted at the right depth at the right time, protected from pests, perhaps fed. To help you and your bulbs succeed, we've assembled some helpful advice.

Instant gratification! Autumn crocus looks just like spring-blooming crocus but instead blooms in mid to late fall, depending on the variety. Plant early in September and enjoy the flowers just a few weeks later. Plant in wire cages to protect from animal pests.

In Fall

Buy the Bold and Beautiful
Designing with Bulbs
Bulbs on a Budget
Plant Bulbs Now
Planting Fall Bulbs
Naturalizing Bulbs
Planting Bulbs
Acidanthera
Bulb Sense
Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Shade-Loving Spring Bulbs
Blue Spring Bulbs

Enhance your bulb display with good companions. Here, 'Tahiti' daffodils, with violas. USDA Zones 3-8.

'Queen of Night', a late tulip (blooms in mid to late spring), is best paired with pastels to accent. UDSA Zones 3-8.

Dahlias are tender bulbs that, in colder areas of the country, have to be dug up in the fall and stored till the next spring.

Notes for Spring

In addition to enjoying the riot of color that's your reward for fall labors, you have some other spring duties — among them, planting warm-weather bulbs that will festoon your garden in the summer. You'll also want to make notes of which spring-flowering bulbs bloomed and which didn't so that, come fall, you'll be able to fill in the holes in your design.

Summer-Flowering Bulbs
Dahlias Provide Splashes of Color
Bulbs for Summer Splendor
Bring on the Bulblets
Prepare for Fall in Spring
Other Tubers for Spring Planting
Bye-Bye Bulbs
Bulb Damage

Because they're early-blooming, crocuses are great to plant in the lawn. If squirrels are a problem in your area, choose pest-resistant varieties of Crocus tommasinianus. Wait six weeks after the crocuses finish blooming before mowing the grass. If left undisturbed during that period, the foliage will build up energy reserves so the crocuses can return the following year--and begin naturalizing.

More About Protecting Against Pests

Bulbs, Without Pests
Bulb Protection

Shopping and Propagation

Bulbs: Shopping and Planting Tips
Dividing Bulbs
The Life of Tulips

Indoors

Forcing Spring Bulbs
Forced to Think Ahead
Forced Bulbs
More on Forcing Bulbs

Other

Bulb Terminology
Planting Bulbs in Containers
Layering Bulbs
Amaryllis

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