A cold Iowa winter is just around the corner but that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning your spring and summer garden. Whether you like a variety of colors, fragrances, or both in your spring garden, now is the perfect time to lay the proper groundwork.
Plant the following flower bulbs now to have a spectacular garden this spring and summer!
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Tulips
If you’ve never grown tulips before you’re in for a treat. This quintessential spring bulb comes in every color under the sun. The easy thing about working with tulips is that they need to spend a long time in the cold ground before blooming, which means you should plant them 8 to 10 weeks before fall.
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Crocus
The crocus blooms in early spring or late winter and can be found in bright shades of:
- Yellow
- White
- Purple
- Striped
Plant them 4 inches apart and 3 inches deep in gritty, well-drained soil. They require full sun so place them in your yard accordingly. If you have no choice but to plant them beneath a deciduous tree, choose ones that are slow to leaf out.
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Grape Hyacinth
An ideal bulb for spring gardens due to its enchanting fragrance is the grape hyacinth. This flower typically self-sows and grows to be 4 to 12 inches tall depending on the species. Choose from a range of colors including:
- Pink
- White
- Blue
- Violet
- Fuschia
Place them in the ground in the late summer or early to mid-fall.
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Summer Snowflake
This white beauty enjoys moist, rich soil in full sun or partial shade. To support it during the growth process, use a slow-release organic fertilizer such as worm castings to ensure the bulbs have all the nutrients they need. Rest assured that worm castings can’t burn your flowers, so you don’t have to worry about using too much.
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Scilla
Scilla is a blue to periwinkle beauty that appears in early spring. Due to its smaller size, it’s best to group bulbs together so it has a strong presence in the garden. If your garden features flowering shrubs such as azaleas and rhododendrons, place scilla underneath.
It’s also ideal for rock gardens or woodland gardens where it can naturalize.
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Daffodil
A staple of every spring garden, the daffodil is strongly associated with spring. The most popular colors are yellow and white, but daffodils come in a variety of colors and flower forms. They have a sweet fragrance the whole family will love. If you plan to add daffodils to your organic flower garden, place them in a location with lots of sun and well-drained soil.
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Bearded Iris
High in fragrance, this old-fashioned spring bloomer comes in a variety of colors. It prefers a half a day of full sun and can handle droughts. It will bloom well for you in the spring if you plant it in neutral to slightly acidic soil in the summer or early fall.
Organize Your Garden
Once everything is planted don’t forget to organize your garden! Use eco-friendly MCG biomarkers to label your flowers so you remember the specific species, sunlight, and watering instructions. Order your set in the color of your choice online today!
