GardenSMART :: Perennializing Spring Blooming Bulbs
Perennializing Spring Blooming Bulbs
By Kerry Mendez, Perennially Yours
Photograph courtesy of Kerry Mendez
I hate having to repeat myself, but when it comes to digging in spring blooming bulbs each fall to replace those that fizzled away or were munched by critters, I CAN stop this expensive, repetitive madness. Now I plant long-lived, naturalizing bulbs that stick around for years.
Here are a few of my tried and true stalwarts:
Daffodils, especially miniature varieties like Minnow, Tete-a-Tete and Baby Boomer
Camassia Quamash 15” tall Sun – Part Shade Zone 4-8
Hyacinthoides hispanica Spanish Bluebells Sun – Part Sun 12”-15” Zone 3-8
Fritillaria meleagris Checkered Lily Sun – Part Shade 8” tall Zone 3-8
Leucojum ‘Gravetye Giant’ Snowdrop Part Sun – Part Shade 12”-20” tall Zone 4-8
Erythronium pagoda Trout Lily Part Shade – Shade 12”-14” tall Zone 4-8
Species Tulips such as T. humilis Eastern Star, T. Lilliput, T. Odalisque, T. Persian Pearl and T. Violacea. Sun – Part Sun 4”-6” tall Zone 4-8 (photo right, T. humilis Eastern Star)
Allium schubertii 16” tall Zone 5-8. Allium caesium 10”-16” tall Zone 4-7
These marathon performers and other superstars are available from premier bulb companies like ColorBlends, Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, and John Scheepers.
If you still can’t resist planting those large, luscious tulips that are like chocolate candy to deer, then protect them with Plantskydd, the number one rated animal repellent by commercial growers and landscapers. Plantskydd is available in both liquid and granular forms and has the Organic Materials Review Institute’s stamp of approval – a difficult to attain mark of endorsement.
Kerry Mendez is the author of best-selling book, "The Right-Size Flower Garden" for sale at pyours.com as well as Amazon. Check out her upcoming webinar: Inspirational Design Lessons from Magnificent Gardens in England, Canada and the United States. http://pyours.com/webinar-inspired-design
To learn more about Plantskyyd’s premier liquid and granular products and their use in the landscape, visit plantskydd.com.
All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.
By Laura Root
Photos courtesy of Jackson & Perkins
Gardeners are always thinking ahead to the next season or the next year. And, fall is the ideal time to think about spring. Flowering shrubs, perennials and spring bulbs are great choices.
Click here for an interesting article about spring bulbs.
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Kerry Mendez is the author of best-selling book, "The Right-Size Flower Garden" for sale at pyours.com as well as Amazon. Check out her upcoming webinar: Inspirational Design Lessons from Magnificent Gardens in England, Canada and the United States. 
