Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2007
PDFfile available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/flowers.html

September/October 2007

Decisions, Decisions ...
Courtney Cloyd, Johnson's East Store

    It's the time of year to plant spring-flowering bulbs, and whether
you feel like a kid in a candy store or you find picking through the
grand selection of bulbs to be a daunting task, choosing your bulbs
wisely is the key to getting the results you want.
    For someone who has never planted bulbs before, it's important to
pay attention to the package. This will give you valuable information
about what time of season the flowers will bloom, how much sun they will
need, and whether they will perennialize well.

Stage Your Blooming Times
    Because each bulb has a "personality" of its own, getting a variety
of different kinds will give you the most out of the blooming season. To
ensure the longest-lasting show of colors in your garden, choose a
mixture of early bloomers such as fragrant Hyacinth or Crocus,
mid-season blooming Tulips and Daffodils and later blooming Allium or
Dutch Iris.
    Tulips alone can provide a good variety of blooming times. The Early
Single, Early Double and Kaufmannia will bloom late March into April.
The Darwin and Triumph hybrids will provide color through April and the
Greigii, Parrot, Double and Single Late varieties will bloom late April
into May.

Bulbs For Perennializing
    While shopping for bulbs you should also keep in mind which bulbs
will most likely perennialize, or come back year after year. Of course
this mostly depends on how you take care of the bulbs. Planting them in
good soil with the appropriate light will help, as well as keeping the
foliage intact after the blooms are gone so that the plants can store
food for the cold season.
    In general, the more basic varieties of Tulips are more likely to
return than their more flashy and extravagant counterparts. Daffodil and
crocus are also known to be repeat visitors.

Forcing Dutch Bulbs
    Impatient gardeners who wish to grow their blooming buddies indoors
can use a process known as bulb forcing, where the gardener creates a
false winter season for the bulbs. Paperwhite Narcissus and Amaryllis
are ideal for forcing because neither needs to be chilled before
growing. Hyacinths are also popular for forcing because of their large,
colorful blooms and pleasing fragrance.
    Certain varieties of Tulips, Crocus, Muscari and Galanthus are good
for forcing, too. But again, read the packages and do your homework so
you'll know what kind of care to give each bulb.
    The most important factor in choosing spring bulbs ... pick what you
like! Whether it's a modest bunch of eight or a vast ocean of hundreds,
your garden should reflect your own style.