It’s Time To Plant Some Bulbs

Winter can seem like it lasts forever(and it hasn't even started yet). When those spring bulbs start to pop up, it gives us hope that winter is almost over. Now is the time to get those bulbs in the ground so we can enjoy them in the spring. Different bulbs bloom at different times ranging from as early as February and going through June. It’s nice to have a variety so you have bulbs popping up all season.

Some nice varieties to choose from:

Early Bloomers

Crocus chrysanthus, Snow Crocus

Galanthus, Snowdrop

Mid-Season

Daffodils

Narcissus Fidelity

There are so many types of daffodils and tulips. Some varieties bloom early such as, Narcissus 'Tahiti', some mid-season such as Narcissus Fidelity, and some are late bloomers such as Narcissus bulbocodium 'Golden Bells'.

Tulips

Tulip 'Veronique Sanson'

Tulips also have a range of bloom times depending on the variety.

Late Season

Lilium asiatic 'Elodie', Lilies

Allium 'Globemaster', Alliums

I wish these were everywhere I went.

Planting

When choosing your bulb layout, keep in mind the bloom times, colors, and heights. If you have different types blooming at the same time, you don’t want the shorter ones to be hidden.

Most bulbs prefer an area of full sun.

The rule of thumb for planting depth is digging a hole 3x the height of the bulbs. You can layer your bulbs depending on their size and bloom times as well.

Add soil amendment and cover bulbs. You may want to plant annuals over bulbs for extra frost protection.

Top 5 Fall Blooms- That Aren't Mums

We all know fall is here because everywhere we go they are selling mums. Mums are the true sign of the season, no? Well, we feel that mayyyybbeee mums are a bit over done. They are also annuals, which means after they sit on your stoop for a couple months you throw them away (or compost them. Please, compost them!). And then you buy them again next year and you throw them away and so on and so no.

We would like to help you break this cycle. Here are our top 5 fall blooming perennials:

Goldenrod

Solidago rugosa

Solidago is a great fall perennial because it has that warm fall color. This one is a true fall bloomer. It starts in blooming in September and stays yellow into October.

Stonecrop

Sedum "Autumn Joy"

So many perennial look pretty tired by this time of year. We just stopped in at client’s garden this week to find this perennial perky and in full bloom.

Amsonia Blue Star

Amsonia hubrichtii

Amsonia is a great multi-season perennial. In the spring, it gets little blue star flowers. During the summer, its leaves, which are narrow and needle shaped, go all the way up the stem and the plant looks great as is. But! In the fall is when Amsonia really shines. By late September, the foliage starts turning golden yellow to orange. It pops in any garden.

Russian Sage

Perovskia atriplicifolia

A little contrast to the warm autumn colors, Russian sage provides nice airy blue flowers atop silvery foliage. It’s super tough and smells great too!

Sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale

Sneezeweed is a cute daisy-like flower with a fuzzy looking center. This one blooms from late summer into October (sometimes until first frost).