Easy Landscaping 101: Using Bulbs in Your Flowerbed

If you're like most Americans, you love creative lawn borders and beautiful flower beds. When we moved into our home last summer, the grass was beautiful and myriad flower beds surrounding the house were flawlessly manicured. There were tall, decorative grasses, unique bushes, several types of lilies and tulips - all in all, we thought we were set for years. We knew that it would all die out in the Fall, and we assumed it would grow back in full force when Spring came. Unfortunately, very few of the flowers and foliage from last year are returning to our yard this Spring.

So which ones are? All of the plants which originated from bulbs. My previous experience with bulbs had been limited to watching my grandmother work in her garden; this year, all of my own flowers will come from them. Why? While the packaging recommends that you remove the bulbs from the ground in the fall and replant them in spring, dozens of flowers are growing on their own in our yard from bulbs after an ice-cold Indiana winter - which means beautiful, fuss-free flowers year after year. And I've been shocked by the number of truly beautiful flowers which can be grown from bulbs.

Many well-known flowers, such as the lily, amaryllis and tulip, come from bulbs. But many other plants can be grown from bulbs as well. The Caladium is a beautiful plant with large leaves that range in color from snow white to burgundy intermixed with rich greens. If you want a unique take on the classic lily, try the large or miniature Calla Lily. These regal flowers look vaguely like a teacup with a spout, and come in a variety of colors. Another beautiful garden flower is the oddly-named Ranunculus. These multi-colored flowers are beautiful, and look as though they are crafted from several layers of delicate tissue paper.

According to Dummies.com (the publishers of the popular series of guides "for Dummies"), there are only two crucial things to remember when planting bulbs: (1) Make sure you set the bulb at the correct depth in the soil, and (2) Make sure you place the bulb right side up in the hole. These may sound like tips for dummies, but with some bulbs, it can be difficult to tell. The correct depth for your particular type of bulb should be listed on the package; if it isn't, a basic chart can be found here. When planting a bulb right-side up, remnants of last year's roots should give you an idea of which end is which. If there are no roots visible, the Dummies.com recommends planting the bulb so that the most narrow part points up. If you have any further questions and want to avoid disappointments later, ask a professional at your local nursery. And once you have planted your bulbs, they will need a thorough watering to get them off to a good start. After the first frost, check information on your specific "zone" and type of bulb to find out if extracting them for the winter is necessary to ensure their survival. If they need to be extracted, store them in a dry material, such as sawdust, and in a cool, dry environment to prevent bulb rot.

Using bulbs in your garden can make life a lot easier - and your garden a lot more colorful - without the time and expense needed to replant every spring. With the proper bulb selection and the proper care, bulbs can bloom year after year providing endless enjoyment for you and your family.