In addition, many of these bulbs are really very easy to maintain and take minimal effort. I say “many” because not all of them are low-maintenance.
For example, large, bold displays of tulips are really beautiful in the spring. If you have a chance, go to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden next April to see their awesome tulip displays.
The types of tulips that they use are those that provide a large flower, but they are not the variety that is good for perennializing, meaning that they are good for one year only. The next season, they may come up a different color, may have greatly diminished blooms or may not come up at all.
To grow the tulips that perennialize or come back consistently year after year, look for the botanical types that include tulips in these groups: botanical, kaufmanniana, fosteriana and greigii. Tulips are broken into categories that distinguish their characteristics.
Those most likely to re-flower each year include the Darwin hybrids, lily-flowered, some fringed and some single late tulips. When you purchase tulips, you will see these names included on the package somewhere.
Tulips can be easy to grow.
One other thing to keep in mind; Deer and other rodents love tulips (and crocus). In fact, tulips and crocus are like candy for these critters.
Therefore, if you have the potential for this problem, you will have to put chicken wire or some other fencing around the tulips in the spring to ensure color. You can also use some of the repellants, but keep in mind you have to be vigilant with these.
Daffodils and hyacinths are pretty tough bulbs and take very little maintenance. Rodents don’t like these bulbs, as they are actually poisonous to them. Therefore, you have a great deal less to worry about.
I really like “minor” bulbs. These are underused and many are not familiar with them.
For something really different in the garden, try some of the following really cool plants, which also have a tendency to be easy to maintain and to perennialize: Fritillaria, Alium, Eremurus, Chinodoxa, Scilla, Eranthis, Galanthus, Anemone, Leucojum and Puschkinia.
A word of caution of you are planting bulbs this fall: If you haven’t gotten a good soaking rain and the soil is dry, then water thoroughly a few days before planting (to make it easier to work the soil) and water thoroughly again after planting to initiate root development.
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