Prepare ahead to enjoy brilliance of bulbs

o7”This bud ... may prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.”f7

--William Shakespeare

o7”Be sure to stop and smell the flowers.”f7

--New York Times

The prospect of bulbs is upon us again -- the process of selecting

plants that offer brilliant color and a spirit of renewal. For the

uninitiated, it seems odd to be purchasing bulbs that won’t be

blooming for months. But to enjoy flowers in the spring, you have to

choose your bulbs now for the best selection.

Bulbs have long been a fascination for gardeners. Many can be

counted on to rebloom after a dormant period and disappearance into

the soil. Most bulbs live for years, and it is part of garden magic

to anticipate their yearly return.

The first reference to bulbs dates to nearly 3500 years ago.

Paintings of crocus, lily and iris adorned an island palace in Crete.

The sultans of the 15th and 16th centuries sent horticulturists to

the Near East in search of tulips and other bulbs. The subsequent

popularity of these exotic flowers set off “tulipomania” and sent

single bulb prices as high as $5,000 for a new tulip variety. The

Dutch have since elevated bulb cultivation to an art and are

rightfully associated with the highest quality bulbs.

Bulbs are commonly grouped according to their season of bloom, a

purely arbitrary ordering. Bulbs make their first appearance at your

local nursery in early September, commencing with crocus, ranunculus,

bearded iris and narcissus. These are followed by hyacinth, tulip and

calla lily, anemone, sparaxis and daffodil -- the bulbs of spring.

These yield to the tuberous begonias, lilies, amaryllis and gladiolus

of summer and early autumn. Gardeners willing to experiment with

other, lesser-known bulbs are rewarded with exciting floral

surprises.

Bulbs are the ideal beginner’s plants. Because their flower buds

are already formed inside the bulbs at the time of purchase, the

gardener is practically assured of flowers the next season, unless he

or she commits some significant cultural error. With a minimum of

care in moisture, light and food, bulbs will succeed almost anywhere.

The best place to shop for bulbs is at your favorite nursery. You

can inspect the bulbs, purchasing only the best ones. Bulbs vary in

size and quality, so look carefully before you buy. Generally, the

larger bulbs will produce more flowers at blooming time. Just as you

would select fruit at the market, choose firm bulbs, avoiding the

mushy ones. Do not buy bulbs that are obviously infested with either

insects or diseases. Prior to planting, tulip, daffodil and crocus

bulbs should be chilled (not frozen) in the refrigerator for eight

weeks.

Most bulbs prefer a sunny locale and a soil that is not too acid;

a pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is ideal. It is important that the soil drains

well; bulbs can rot if they sit in a soggy soil. Heavy clay soils can

be improved by adding redwood compost, peat moss or leaf mold. Unlike

nitrogen, phosphorous moves slowly downward, so super phosphate or

bone meal should be added at the depth of the future root zone of the

bulbs. You are now ready to plant.

The general rule that a bulb should be planted at a depth equal to

twice its width is usually safe. However, in light, sandy soils, they

should be planted a little deeper, and in heavier soils, a little

shallower. Tall growers, such as gladiolus and lilies, need the extra

support of deep planting to ensure they grow upright. Even then, some

bulbs require stakes for support.

The best time to apply fertilizer is when the first shoots appear.

A low-nitrogen “bloom” fertilizer is better for bulbs than one high

in nitrogen. An organic mulch to cover the bulbs helps to keep the

weeds down, retains moisture and improves the general soil condition

and appearance.

Besides the obvious use of bulbs in garden beds and pots, they are

successful in informal lawns and forgotten areas of your garden.

Masses of blooms remind one to take advantage of the entire garden.

Narcissus and hyacinth can be grown in water and pebbles, bringing

wonderful flowers and fragrance indoors.

It seems natural that I should cultivate bulbs with Catharine.

They have added an ineffable touch to our entire garden. Their

prodigious display and brilliance of color have shown us that prior

to narcissi and daffodils, our garden collection of annual and

perennial flowers was never entirely complete or satisfactory. It

was, in fact, as incomplete as a Dodger Dog without ketchup and

onions. See you next time.

* Steve Kawaratani is married to a local writer, Catharine

Cooper. He can be reached at [email protected].