BULB PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Loosen soil in the planting bed to a depth of at least 8 Remove any weeds, rocks or other debris. You can mix in compost, other organic matter or slow releasing fertilizer if your soil lacks nutrients.

Step 2: Depending on the bulb, follow the recommendation on the label for planting depth. As a general rule, plant big bulbs about 8” deep and small bulbs about 5” deep or plant the bulb three times the height of the bulb, for example if your bulb is 3 inches you would plant it at 6” deep). Set the bulb in the hole pointy side up or the roots down. It’s easy to spot the pointy end of a tulip; tougher with a crocus. If you can’t figure out the top from the bottom, plant the bulb on its side, in most cases, even if you don’t get it right, the flower bulb will still find its way topside.

Step 3: Now that the bulbs are planted, back fill with soil over the hole, lightly compress the soil but do not pack it. Water to stimulate root growth. There is no need to water continuously unless you live in an area with low precipitation in the winter months.

AFTERCARE Fertilizing For bulbs that are intended to naturalize (return for several years) or for bulbs that are com- ing into their second year, spread an organic fertilizer such as compost, or a slow release bulb food on top of the soil.

Pruning When the flowers have completed blooming, cut the flower head off but do not cut the foliage. Bulbs will use the foliage to gather nutrients from the sun and store for the following seasons. Once the foliage has turned yellow or brown you can cut them to ground level. deep and 4-6″ apart. Tamp down the soil and water well Planting tip: Plant bulbs in groups of 15-20 for a spectacular after planting. Foliage should be left to die back naturally spring show. Muscari are perfect for co-planting with tulips as it provides the nutrients the bulb will need to grow and or daffodils. flower the following year. Bulbs may also be planted in containers and tubs at the same depth. Paperwhites - Paperwhites can be grown without soil. Just place some gravel, stones, or decorative glass in a LEARN TO Dutch Iris - Select an area in the garden that receives full container of your choice that does not have drainage sun where the soil drains well. Loosen the soil to a depth holes. Cluster the bulbs together, nestling them in with of 12”-18” and amend with compost if necessary. Place their pointy ends up. Place additional planting medium the fleshy roots into the soil so that the “eyes” or growing around them to anchor them in place. Add water just to GROW points are no more than 1”-2” below the soil level. Plants reach the lower portion of the bulbs, and maintain it at should be spaced 24”-36” apart. Tamp down the soil and that level throughout the time the bulbs are growing and water well. As the plant begins to grow, place a hoop-type blooming. Place the container in a cool (50?-60? F) place stake into the ground to support the plant and its heavy away from direct sunlight. Once per week, gently tug at blooms. Water deeply during periods of drought. the bulbs to check for root growth. When shoots appear, place the container in direct sunlight. Soon after planting, Fritillarias - Plant outdoors in the fall about 6-8 weeks green leaves will burst forth, and clusters of pure white, before the first hard frost. Select a spot in the garden that star-shaped flowers will bloom on each stem. Turn the receives full or afternoon sun and where the soil drains container frequently to maintain straight leaves and stems. well. Loosen the soil and plant the bulbs, pointy end up, approximately 6-8″ deep and 5″ apart. Tamp down the soil Peonies - Plant tulips outdoors in the fall about 6-8 weeks and water well after planting. Leave the foliage intact and before the first hard frost. Select a spot in the garden that cut only the stems to use as cut flowers. Foliage should be receives full or afternoon sun and where the soil drains left to die back naturally as it provides the nutrients the well. Loosen the soil and plant the bulbs, pointy end up, bulb will need to grow and flower the following year. approximately 6-8″ deep and 5″ apart. Tamp down the soil and water well after planting. Leave the foliage intact and Hostas - Select a location in the garden that receives cut only the stems to use as cut flowers. Foliage should be dappled to full shade and where the soil is slightly acidic left to die back naturally as it provides the nutrients the and drains well. Loosen the soil and place the roots into bulb will need to grow and flower the following year. the soil 18-36″ apart. The roots should face down and the “eyes” or growing points facing upward just slightly below Phlox - Select an area in the garden that receives full sun the soil level. Tamp the soil down and water thoroughly. where the soil drains well. Loosen the soil to a depth of After the flowers bloom, leave the foliage in place until it 12”-18” and amend with compost if necessary. Place the turns yellow and dies off. Hostas rarely need dividing and fleshy roots into the soil so that the “eyes” or growing are very long-lived perennials. points are no more than 1”-2” below the soil level. Plants should be spaced 24”-36” apart. Tamp down the soil and Hyacinths - Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained water well. As the plant begins to grow, place a hoop-type soil in full sun to part shade. Loosen the soil and plant stake into the ground to support the plant and its heavy the bulbs, pointy end up, approximately 6-8″ deep. Tamp blooms. Water deeply during periods of drought down the soil and water well after planting. Leave the foliage intact and cut only the stems to use as cut flowers. Tulips - Plant tulips outdoors in the fall about 6-8 weeks Foliage should be left to die back naturally as it provides before the first hard frost. Select a spot in the garden that the nutrients the bulb will need to grow and flower the receives full or afternoon sun and where the soil drains following year. well. Loosen the soil and plant the bulbs, pointy end up, approximately 6-8″ deep and 5″ apart. Tamp down the soil Planting tip: Plant bulbs in groups of 6-12 for a spectacular and water well after planting. Leave the foliage intact and spring show. Hyacinth are perfect for co-planting with cut only the stems to use as cut flowers. Foliage should be tulips or daffodils. left to die back naturally as it provides the nutrients the bulb will need to grow and flower the following year. Lilies - Select an area in the garden that receives full sun where the soil drains well. Loosen the soil to a depth of Planting tip: For a more natural look, plant tulips in clusters 12”-18” and amend with compost if necessary. Place the rather than in straight lines. Remember that tulips do not fleshy roots into the soil so that the “eyes” or growing like excessive moisture and should not be planted where points are no more than 1”-2” below the soil level. Plants they are watered by irrigation systems. should be spaced 24”-36” apart. Tamp down the soil and water well. As the plant begins to grow, place a hoop-type stake into the ground to support the plant and its heavy blooms. Water deeply during periods of drought LEARN MORE FALL Muscari - Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Loosen the soil and plant the bulbs, pointy end up, approximately 6-8″ deep. Tamp PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS | HELPFUL TIPS GROWING GUIDE down the soil and water well after planting. Leave the foliage intact and cut only the stems to use as cut flowers. CREATIVE IDEAS | VIDEOS | AND MORE Foliage should be left to die back naturally as it provides the nutrients the bulb will need to grow and flower the following year. WWW.bloomsz.COM/learn WWW.bloomsz.COM/learn bed by a few inches. Most bulbs that are planted in the Spring require full sun or at least 5-6 hours of sunlight dai- HINTS & TIPS ly. Check the package instructions for more detailed plant- Growing Instructions ing requirements.

How should bulbs be planted? Nothing delights gardeners more than seeing Crocuses, Alliums - Select a spot in the garden that receives full the cheerful harbingers of spring, bloom through the snow Bulbs should be planted pointy end up and look best when sun to light shade where the soil drains well. Loosen the and tell the world that spring cannot be very far away. they are grouped in clusters of an odd number of bulbs. soil, and plant the bulbs, pointy end up, approximately Daffodils, Tulips, Hyacinths, and Alliums will soon provide Always loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole where the 8″ deep and 5-6″ apart. Tamp down the soil and water additional color. bulbs are being planted, place the bulbs close together but well after planting. Flowers may be cut for use in indoor not touching, cover the bulbs with soil, and water in well. arrangements. Foliage should be left to die back naturally Add some 5-10-5 fertilizer several times during the grow- as it provides the nutrients the bulb will need to grow and With proper care these bulbs will delight you with their ing season. In dry conditions, water bulbs deeply so that flowers year after year. Just permit their foliage to die back flower the following year. Bulbs may also be planted in moisture reaches the roots, especially during times of rap- containers and tubs at a depth of approximately 4″. naturally, as it provides the nutrients the bulb will need to id growth. Place mulch in the planting areas to conserve grow and flower the following year. moisture. Amaryllis - Select a pot that is approximately ½” in diameter larger than the bulb. Fill the pot approximately • Choose bulbs and perennials carefully. Remember: Important! Just as adequate moisture and fertilizer are the larger the bulb, the larger the flower. half full with a good quality, sterilized potting soil that important during the growing season, it is also important drains well. Place the bulb into the pot and continue that you always permit the foliage to mature and die off adding soil, leaving the top 1/3 of the bulb exposed. Be • Select sun-loving plants for sunny areas and shade- naturally. The leaves provide the food the bulbs need to sure there is at least ½” of space between the soil and the loving plants for shady areas. Remember that there produce flowers during the next flowering season. Foliage top rim of the pot for watering. Water thoroughly with are bulbs and perennials that will grow in part sun to can be cut off at its base once it wither lukewarm water immediately after potting. Keep the soil shade for those in-between spots. moist but not wet, and avoid getting water directly onto the bulb stem. Place the pot in a warm room that is well- • Avoid using too much fertilizer, which can result in tall lit; a south-facing window is best. Do not overwater once plants with few blooms. the shoots begin to appear. When flowers begin to bloom, move the pot to a slightly cooler spot where it receives • Don’t be afraid to pinch off buds when growing indirect lighting. After the flowers fade, cut the stem off instructions suggest this, but always stop by July 1st. leaving approximately 3″ above the top of the bulb. Do not remove or cut off the leaves. Treat the plant as you would • Dig up large clumps and divide and replant them as any indoor plant, watering it lightly and regularly to keep necessary. Think of other places in the landscape the soil moist. that the bulbs and perennials will improve, or even provide a few to family, friends, or neighbors to start Anemones - Select an area in the garden that receives their perennial gardens. full sun to partial shade where the soil drains well. Loosen the soil to a depth of 6”-10” and amend with compost if • Consider making an artificial bog for plants that need necessary. Place bulbs into the soil 1”-2” below the soil constantly wet soil. Dig a hole, line it with plastic, set level, and be spaced 4”-6” apart. Tamp down the soil and a perforated hose that is connected to a water spout water well. Water thoroughly during periods of drought at the bottom, fill the hole with rich soil, and plant varieties of bog plants for a very unique addition to Astilbes - Plant in deep, organically-rich, well drained, moist the garden. soil in partial shade. It will grow in full sun in moderate climates, but does not tolerate hot summer temperatures. What about Perennial Roots? Space 18-30″ apart. Fertilize in spring. Divide every three years. Dormant roots usually have no leaves but may have some green tips beginning to show, are shipped in bags Bleeding Hearts - Select an area in the garden that with peat moss, and should be planted as soon as possi- receives full sun to partial shade where the soil drains ble. If that cannot be done, open the packages in which well, loosen the soil to a depth of 6-10 in. and amend with they came and if the roots appear dry, soak them in warm compost if necessary, place bulbs into the soil 1-2 in. below water for a few hours. Then store the roots in moist peat the soil level, plants should be spaced 24-48 in. apart and moss in a very cold but not freezing place. If they cannot water well. Water thoroughly during periods of drought. be planted in less than 2 weeks, plant them in pots of soil until they can be planted in the ground. Crocus - Select a spot in the garden that receives full sun to part shade where the soil drains well. Loosen the soil, and Where should I plant Fall varieties? plant the bulbs, pointy end up, approximately 3-4″ deep and a few inches apart. Tamp down the soil and water well Select an area with good drainage since most plants do after planting. Foliage should be left to die back naturally not do well in soil that is constantly wet. If water drains as it provides the nutrients the bulb will need to grow and from a 1foot deep by 1 foot wide hole in 10-30 minutes, flower the following year. Bulbs may also be planted in you’ve found a good area. A hole that drains in less than containers and tubs at the same depth. 10 minutes is too dry; one that takes more than an hour to drain is too wet. All poorly drained or too wet soil can be Daffodils - Select a spot in the garden that receives full amended with organic matter and by raising the planting sun to part shade where the soil drains well. Loosen the soil, and plant the bulbs, pointy end up, approximately 6″