A Year Of Flower Bulbs

Flower bulbs can provide color in the garden year-round.

The word "bulbs" bring to mind the stately tulips and cheerful daffodils that grace spring gardens. But bulbs can provide color in the garden year-round.

Not only do various bulbs flower in the spring, summer, and autumn but if you take advantage of indoor gardening, you can even enjoy flower bulbs such as hyacinth, amaryllis, and narcissus during the winter months.

Flower Bulbs, Corms or Tubers?

Actually, many bulbs are not bulbs at all but corms or tubers. Corms and bulbs are very similar.

They store everything they need for plant growth inside. All you have to do is plant them at the right season and give them a little water.

Tubers, such as dahlias and begonias, are essentially enlarged roots. All three usually go dormant after flowering.

Hardy bulbs, which bloom in the spring, are cold tolerant and can be left in the ground over winter. In fact, they often need a little cold to jolt them into growth.

People in warm climates such as Florida have to put their bulbs in the refrigerator for a month or so before planting for their botanical wakeup call.

These bulbs are usually planted in the fall. Get more tips on fall gardening.

A Year of Bulbs

Tender bulbs, corms and tubers usually flower in the summer and spring and must be dug up and stored during the winter. In very mild climates, however, you can just leave them in the ground.

Many bulbs even naturalize which means they multiply all by themselves underground.

So plant a dozen daffodils this year and with luck, you could enjoy two dozen next year. Here are some bulbs to consider for each season of the year.

Autumn

If you live in a mild climate, you might still be able to plant some fall-blooming bulbs. Usually, they need to be planted in August or very early September for fall color.

These flowers usually range from about 3 to 5 inches tall so don't expect the drama of tulips or daffodils. But they are delightful sprinkled in among your perennials. Choices include colchicum, autumn crocus, scilla and sternbergia.

Winter

During the winter, you can "force" bulbs to bloom indoors. Popular flower bulbs include amaryllis, narcissus and hyacinth.

Spring

The sky's the limit. Favorites include tulips, fritillaria, muscari, crocus, and anemone. But there are dozens of varieties to choose among.

Summer

Summer bulbs range from the tuberous begonia (which will bloom profusely in shady areas) to the tall and elegant cannas to the showy, colorful dahlias. Many summer bulbs produce nice flowers for cutting.

So get adventurous and try some bulbs. If you live in an apartment, grow them in pots. Bulbs provide a lot of reward for very little effort.