To naturalize bulbs, it is important to select varieties that are hardy and will adapt to your climate and soil. Successfully naturalized bulbs can turn 25-30 bulbs into large drifts of several hundred over the course of just a few years with almost no effort on the part of the gardener.
Choosing the Right Location
All bulbs need as much sunlight as they can get during the springtime, so be sure not to plant them under early-leafing deciduous trees, dense bushes or shrubs. Many bulbs do best when planted between perennials or in borders, but it is important when naturalizing them that they are not disturbed by frequent cultivation of surrounding plants. As long you keep them well watered in the spring and they have a drier summer, bulbs will thrive well in most soils, including clay.
How to Plant
For spring blooms, bulbs are best when planted as early in the fall as possible, but can be planted as late in the season as the ground remains unfrozen and is workable.
To achieve a nice, natural look, do not plant bulbs in rows, but in uneven irregular groups. Plant small bulbs such as Hyacinth and Crocus about 8 inches apart, Tulips 12-18 inches apart and Daffodils or Narcissus 3-4 feet apart. Your plot may look barren and empty at first, but over time the clumps of bulbs will multiply and the plants will not be crowded.
In well drained soil, be sure to plant bulbs slightly deeper than what is recommended. This will help keep the bulbs cooler during the warm springtime weather.
If bulbs are being planted in the lawn, just lift the sod using a spade, slip the bubs under and firmly replace the sod.
Bulb Maintenance
Neglecting bulbs is probably the best maintenance strategy of all. When flowers have finished flowering and the foliage is dying down, don`t cut it or tie it in knots. Instead, allow the leaves of closely planted perennials hide them until they can be safely removed.
If bulbs are planted in an area that is mulched annually, then they will not require fertilizer unless they are flowering poorly. If this is the case, use a low nitrogen, high phosphorus fertilizer.
Commonly Occurring Problems
Springtime is when it is imperative be on the lookout for wildlife in the garden. Chipmunks, squirrels, moles, mice and other wildlife love to snack on plant bulbs. Protecting your bulbs can easily be done by using chicken wire as a deterrent. Simply lay the chicken wire flat on the ground over the bulbs and cover with a little dirt. This may cause slight damage to the leaves as they begin to grow, but the animals will remain unharmed. If a more industrial method is preferred, there are many varieties of natural pest control that are widely available.
Forcing Bulbs
Forcing refers to the process of making a plant to bloom out of season. The most common forced plants are Paper-whites, Hyacinth, Amaryllis and some Tulips. In order to successfully force bulbs, the process must be started well in advance as many varieties require 2-3 months of chilling before they will bloom.
The forcing process takes a little more work than planting bulbs outdoors, but enjoying bright cheerful blooms in the dead of winter is worth the effort.
