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by Lydia Holley February 12, 2024
Gardeners are always looking ahead. In the fall, they plant daffodils and other bulbs, looking forward to them blooming in spring. In winter, gardeners look forward to planting bulbs in spring, and to those flowering in summer or fall.
Some suppliers are already taking orders for spring-planted bulbs (rhizomes and corms included), so in addition to planning for the holidays, gardeners are making plans to have next year’s landscape be their very best. Here are a few spring-planted bulbs you can look forward to making your next year’s garden better than ever:
Crinums are the belle of the Southern garden. Like a hooped skirt, their foliage fans outward, taking up a lot of space. Their flowers are large, but with an elegant beauty. And they live a long time. My great-grandmother’s crinums still bloom every year, almost 45 years after her death.
Crososmia blooms are cute and petite. Do not let that fool you. They are also survivors. They multiply well, so purchase the variety you truly love. I made a mistake by letting my pocketbook make my decision and while I love the ones I have, I still regret not getting the ones I really wanted.
Gladiolus are often overlooked, but they should not be. They are easy to grow and come in every color in the rainbow, in bright to pastel shades. Some bloom with multiple colors in their flowers. Because they bloom in late summer, they make the perfect cut flower for when it is too hot to enjoy the outdoors. Cut their stems when two or three flowers are opened. They bloom from the bottom, so by bringing them in at that time, you can enjoy every flower opening. Cutting off the top one or two tips will encourage all the remaining flowers to open, and to keep your arrangement looking fresh, pull off spent blooms. Because they grow on thin stems with spiky foliage, you will want to plant an abundance of them. Grow them with Liatris (another spring-planted bulb), black-eyed Susans, or roses. If you leave Gladiolus in the garden, when they begin blooming at the top, they may start to lean over. Keep them upright with some bamboo stakes and twine.
For something different, consider growing Gladiolus murielea, or Peacock orchid. The foliage is spiky like Gladiolus, but instead of a stalk of flowers, it has a lovely drooping white bloom surrounding a maroon center.
Lilies are beautiful either in the garden or in a vase. When you bring them inside, cut off their anthers so the pollen won’t stain your clothes.
Lycoris is planted in spring and bloom in fall. Lycoris radiata, also known as spider lily, will grace your garden for years to come, surprising you when they bloom after their foliage dies back. Other flowers that are commonly called surprise lilies or naked ladies include Lycoris spengeri, Lycoris squamigera, Nerine, and Amarine, all spring-planted bulbs.
If your garden is mostly in shade, you can still join in the joy of planting bulbs in the spring. Choose Oxalis triangularis, or Burgundy shamrock. They will return and multiply, giving you years of delight.
Polianthes tuberosa is worth growing just for its sweet perfume.
Zephyranthes, or rain lilies, can also be planted in spring. You will be happy you did every time it rains and they pop up to rejoice.
Make your spring-planted bulb list now. Then, after the bustle of the holidays, after all the presents have been opened, the cookies have been eaten, and your company has gone home, you will still have something to look forward to.
For more information, call 903-675-6130, email [email protected].
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