Posts Tagged ‘Planting Bulbs’

Spring Flowers :: Top 10 Picks

Spring flowers have begun to bloom now that winter is almost over and the days are getting longer…finally! Do you look forward to the awakening garden with the first colors of spring like I do?

white bleeding heart yellow tulip crocuses and snowdrops

After a long winter, brightly colored blooms begin to push their way up through the moist soil.

They becoming beacons of color that are soon followed by robins hunting for worms, leaves sprouting on trees, and rich shades of green that blanket the earth.

Wait, wait, wait! It isn’t spring, it is only mid-August. If you dream of having beautiful spring flowers in the spring, then now is the time for action!

August – September: Shopping and planning

Late September – Early November: Planting

Spring: The Fruits of your labor…a beautiful burst of color and fragrance!

Many of the “early birds” of spring( spring flowers ) are grown from bulbs. If you are new to planting bulbs, than you are will be pleasantly surprised because this is one of easiest ways to bring color to your garden and yard. Flower bulbs that bloom during the spring need to be planted in the fall.

You should be done about 6 weeks before the ground freezes or when the ground temperature falls below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bulbs need to be planted in soil that drains well. Dig a hole and place the bulb with the pointed end facing up. Cover the bulb with soil and water well. If you live in an extremely cold climate, mulch can be placed over the flower bulbs to keep them protected during the harsh winter.

Do nothing else…wait for spring…..and enjoy the blooming color!

Spring Flowers – - Top 10 List

Flower Picture Pick of the Day

Gardening Tips:

Tips For Plants in Containers:
* Leave at least a few inches of space between plants, although they can be planted closer together than you would plant them in your garden.

* Containers dry out faster than garden soil and may require daily watering during the summer. Check the soil moisture every day or two.

* Potting mix contains fewer nutrients than garden soil. It is recommended to give your container-grown plants a weekly application of balanced, liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Always follow the package instructions.

1. Snowdrop/Galanthus nivalis: The snowdrop has the distinction of being one of the earliest bulbs to bloom, sometimes while snow is still on the ground! The small delicate bell-shaped flowers are white and tipped with green. They grow 8-12 inches tall and look beautiful when grown in clumps around the base of a tree or mailbox, or scattered throughout the lawn.

Since they are small, plant many of them to create a pleasing effect. The bulb will naturalize easily and prefers cool moist soil and a semi-shady or full sun location. They are a sure cure for the winter blues! Hardiness Zones: 4-8

2. Spring Snowflake: This flower is very similar to Snowdrops as it blooms in early spring and naturalizes easily in colder climates. The plant grows 6-10 inches tall and bears fragrant white bell shaped blooms.

It prefers a damp location, sandy/humus rich soil, and will thrive in full sun or light shade. It can be grown in containers, rock gardens, and of course under trees and shrubs. This easy care plant will guarantee that spring is on the way! Hardiness Zones: 4-8

3. Winter Crocus/Crocus tommasinianus: The Winter Crocus as its name implies, bloom very early in the spring. It grows 3-5 inches tall and comes in a variety of colors to include: white, yellow, purple, mauve, and bronze. The small cup shaped spring flower has 6 petals with a three spiked orange stamen. Winter Crocus prefer a cold, sun-dappled environment (needs more sun exposure in extremely cold areas) and will naturalize easily in lawns and rock gardens. These little “gems” will brighten your yard!
Hardiness Zones: 5-9

Gardener's Supply Company - Deal of the Week

4. Dutch Crocus/Crocus vernus: The extremely popular Dutch Crocus blooms in early spring, about 2 weeks after the Winter Crocus appear. Dutch Crocuses are available in a rainbow of colors to include: purple, white, blue, mauve, yellow, and several striped varieties are also available.

Semi-shade is appropriate in most areas but the flower does need a sunny location to promote blooming in extremely cold climates. Plant in large drifts in well-drained soil for a bold splash of color, or plant a handful under trees, in planters, or in rock gardens. Dutch crocuses naturalize very easily and require very little care. A must-have for your spring garden!
Hardiness Zones: 3-9

5. Daffodil/Narcissus: The word Daffodil is almost synonymous with the word spring. This gorgeous flower blooms early to mid-spring depending on the variety. They come in creamy white, bi-color, and all imaginable shades of yellow and gold. Daffodils grow up to 18 inches tall, are easy to maintain, naturalize easily, and can be grown indoors and out. Plant in full sun or light shade. They truly are a gardener’s best friend!
Hardiness Zones: 5-9

Gardener's Supply Company - Deal of the Week

Spring Flowers schedule

Plan….Buy…..Plant….Enjoy!

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Common Tulip Bulbs Diseases

The overwhelming majority of diseases in tulips, as for other living things, are caused by bacteria, fungi and/or viruses. Combating them in the case of tulips, fortunately, is usually not a full-time occupation. Tulips tend to be hardy and disease resistant. There are a few common problems, though, that are worth watching out for.


Many start right at the bulb. Basal Rot, caused by Fusarium oxysporum, is a fungal growth that produces large, dark brown spots on the bulb. The bulb may also have a white or pink fungal growth. Even if the plant grows the flowers become deformed and the foliage will often die prematurely. Management is simple. Just avoid planting bulbs that have a white or pink fungus on them.

Blue Mold is another common disease of tulip bulbs. The disease is caused by the penicillium fungus and bulbs acquire a bluish tinge. The leaves may be reddish, while the roots may be powdery. Try to purchase bulbs that have been pre-treated for fungi. Propiconazole (Brand name: Banner) is useful for protecting plants from invasion.

Botrytis infects many plants, especially bulb types, and tulips are no exception. Botrytis tulipae, in particular (which sometimes goes by the name Blight or Fire), may produce stunted or deformed leaves. Dead spots on the foliage are often surrounded by dark green circles. The spots turn yellow and may have small black spots speckled within them. Buying fungicide-treated bulbs will help avoid that fate.

Treatment with chlorothalonil (Trade name Daconil), mancozeb (Dithane) or iprodione (Chipco) can keep healthy plants healthy. Layering coarse sand above the bulb when planting can also help prevent invasion.

Various types of pythium are another common invader. They produce a type of root rot. The bulbs will have soft gray spots with brown borders near the base. Roots may be slimy. Using chemically treated soil will help avoid the disease in the first place. Unfortunately, once infected, about the only method is to discard diseased plants. That helps keep it away from those not yet exposed.

Crown rot (also known as Southern Blight) is sometimes a problem. Caused by sclerotium rolfsii, it produces yellowed leaves and a fibrous rot on the bulb. Plants are typically stunted and will die prematurely. Fumigating the soil can help remove the condition, but often that will have to be accompanied by discarding the diseased cultivars.

A whole library full of viruses are around that can infect tulips and, being viruses, new ones evolve all the time. Tobacco mosaic and cucumber mosaic are only two out of thousands. At a certain stage, the leaves will become mottled with yellow flecks that can spread into stripes. Petals will become distorted and break off prematurely.

Viruses can be caused by invaders in the soil or spread by aphids. Keeping the insects at bay will help with prevention. Cuttings are another way to inadvertently spread the disease. In most cases, the only effective management is to discard the plant.

Keeping tulips healthy is easier than many other plants. They first evolved in the Central Asian regions where winters are cold, springs bring plentiful rain, and summers are hot and dry. That makes them hardy survivors. But a little help from gardeners is always appreciated.

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Posted in Spring Flowers, Tulips |