Flowering spring bulbs include color and charm to your garden when you require it most after a chilly, gray winter. If you desire to enjoy their flowers in the spring, you should plant them ahead of time. That’s because these bulbs require a winter season chilling duration to grow a mature root system in order to flower well.
That does not indicate you can’t grow spring bulbs, just that you might have to work a little more difficult to get them to bloom. “Most flower bulbs perform well through USDA strength zone 7 under typical weather condition and planting conditions,” says Jo-Anne van den Berg-Ohms, bulb expert and CEO of John Scheepers Beauty from Bulbs and Van Engelen Wholesale Flower Bulbs.
When To Plant Spring Bulbs
First, determine your USDA Hardiness zone (discover yours here). For chillier areas of the Southeast, such as USDA zone 6 in the Upper South, you can follow the typical guidelines for bulb-planting and plant in late fall, starting in mid to late November and up till any time before the ground freezes.
But for those in the Middle to Lower South, you must pre-chill your bulbs. “Due to the truth that winter temperature levels are not cold adequate nor constant enough in warmer areas which there are frequently extreme spring heat spikes in zones 8 and warmer, flower bulbs must be precooled for at least 10 weeks prior to planting,” states van den Berg-Ohms. “Tulips also should be pre-chilled in zone 7, in case of a moderate winter season.”
Put your bulbs in the fridge at a consistent temperature level (between 35 and 48 degrees F) for no less than 10 weeks and no more than 14 weeks. “Don’t get rid of the bulbs from refrigeration up until you’re ready to plant, since this compromises the benefit of prechilling procedure,” says van den Berg-Ohms.
How To Plant Spring Bulbs
In cold environments, a lot of bulbs can be planted completely sun. However in the South, discover a spot in part sun or dappled shade, which will safeguard the blooms and foliage from excessive sun and heat to extend the spring blossom duration, says van den Berg-Ohms. Likewise, ensure the soil is well-draining so the bulbs don’t rot.
Many bulbs include a generally-recommended planting depth, however in the South, van den Berg-Ohms recommends planting them 2 inches deeper than suggested to safeguard them against temperature spikes and variations. Apply a light layer of mulch, and water the bed if rainfall is scarce.
Avoid planting bulbs in high raised beds (especially those built of hardscape products), pots and flower boxes since there’s just too much temperature irregularity, which bulbs hate, states van den Berg-Ohms.
Typically, it’s difficult to for bulbs to flower well in USDA Hardiness zones 9 and 10. But that shouldn’t discourage you from trying! “We do have customers that have terrific lead to warmer regions, however do not acquire more bulbs than you can pay for to lose if you ‘d like to experiment,” states van den Berg-Ohms.
How Late Can You Plant Bulbs
There’s no easy answer due to the fact that weather is variable, and microclimates, or locations of various growing conditions in your garden, can impact bulb performance. Nevertheless, in general, you can plant spring-blooming bulbs up until the ground freezes in the Upper South and as late as January in much of the rest of the South
The bottom line is if you plant too late, your bulbs will not have time to set down and grow a fully grown root system. This might result in bulbs that grow foliage however no blooms or very short and small blossoms, states van den Berg-Ohms. Regardless, most bulbs are treated as annuals in the South.
Best Flower Bulbs To Plant In The South.
Not all spring-flowering bulbs succeed in warmer climates. Read the description and recommended hardiness zones for a bulb type before acquiring. In addition, van den Berg-Ohms suggests these bulbs that generally perform much better in the warmer environments of USDA Zones 8 and 9:
Crocus *.
Hyacinth *.
Ipheion.
Leucojum.
Muscari *.
Tulips * (need to likewise be pre-chilled in zone 7 in case of a moderate winter).
– Tulipa bakeri ‘Lilac Wonder’.
– Emperor tulips.
– Giant Darwin hybrid tulips.
– Single late tulips including ‘Avignon,’ ‘Dordogne,’ ‘Queen of the Night’.
Narcissi.
– Trumpet daffodils ‘King Alfred,’ ‘Mount Hood,’ ‘Rijnvelds’ Early Sensation’.
– Large cupped narcissi ‘Fortissimo,’ ‘Fortune,’ ‘Ice Follies’.
– Double narcissi ‘Cheerfulness’, ‘Tahiti,’ ‘Yellow Cheerfulness’.
– Narcissus tazetta.
* Indicates pre-chilling required.
