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The species diversity of garden flowers is striking in its splendor. A separate group, which always arouses admiration, are bulbous perennials.
These include bulbous primroses, pleasing to the eye in the first days of spring, plants with a summer or autumn flowering period. All of them are united by the presence of the underground part – the bulb, which contains all the nutrients for the growth of flowers. Divide the types of bulbous perennials:
- bulbous;
- small-bulbous;
- corms.
All these plants are perennials, have different flowering periods, which allows you to create wonderful compositions of continuous flowering.
When perennial bulbs bloom in the garden
Bulbous perennials are able to decorate the garden plot throughout the season. To do this, you need to pay attention to the flowering time when choosing varieties. The main periods when the bulbs bloom are well known:
- Spring. The main representatives of early spring are primroses. These bulbous perennials bloom when the bulk of the plants are just getting ready to wake up. Among them, it is worth noting the scilla (scylla), crocus, snowdrop, muscari, pushkinia. As soon as it gets a little warmer, the time comes for tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, bulbous irises. These varieties bloom in late spring.
- Summer. Representatives of the summer flowering period have more fragrant and large flowers. The color palette is much more diverse than that of spring bulbs. An example is lilies. The choice can be made among varieties, ranging from white to bright crimson inflorescences. Then come daylilies, dahlias, gladioli, cannes, tigridia, calla lilies, tuberoses, freesias, and birdwort.
- Autumn. During this period, the beauty of the bulbs is represented by garden cyclamens, crocuses, crocuses with an autumn flowering period.
Competently compiling your landscape composition, you can enjoy the beauty of bulbous perennials all season long. To make the right choice, be sure to look at the photo of each species before placing the plant in the garden. It should be noted that bulbous perennials can play the role of a soloist flower in a flower bed or, conversely, set off another plant.
Do I need to dig bulbs for the winter
Some species – yes, and some have good frost resistance and are able to winter well in open ground. If the variety requires winter storage, then the bulbs must be dug up before the onset of the first frost. These are heat-loving bulbous perennials, which include gladioli, dahlias, callas, cannes. If you do this with elite varieties of tulips (terry, parrot), then this will help to keep them longer. Digging up perennial bulbs is carried out after the leaves have withered.
Planting heat-loving bulbous perennials begins in spring at a soil temperature of at least 12 ° C.
Winter-hardy bulbous perennials are daffodils, crocuses, common varieties of tulips, lilies, hazel grouse, daylilies. In harsh or snowless winters, it is advisable to cover the planting sites of these flowers with mulch or spruce branches. Bulbs of winter-hardy varieties are planted at the end of September or in October. It is necessary to take into account the time of onset of frost. Landing is done 1,5 months before the expected date. This is necessary for the formation of the root system of the flower. The bulbs of those perennials that bloom in autumn are planted in late spring or early summer.
How to care for bulbous perennials
First of all, you will have to remember that bulbous flowers prefer areas with good lighting, but they also tolerate a small shadow. The soil is loved loose and light, special requirements are placed on its air and water permeability. Any stagnant water or constant dampness leads to disease and death of bulbous perennials. Do not plant them in heavy or poor sandy soils. The most suitable soil composition will be neutral nutrient soil.
Bulbous love moderation in everything. This applies to watering and nutrition too.
The most whimsical from bulbous perennials are considered terry daffodils, parrot tulips, some types of freesia, hyacinths and gladioli.
With high humidity or during rain, the inflorescences are filled with water. Then the stem may break, unable to bear the weight of the flower. A strong wind leads to the same ending. Some summer residents tie up flowers.
Another problem of these species is the high demands on soils. If the soil does not satisfy the needs of the flower, then you will have to carefully select nutrient mixtures, fertilizers and top dressings so that the result is worthy.
The best representatives of bulbous for the garden
Consider some types with descriptions and photos.
early primroses
Spring bulbous perennials are very good on the site.
Crocuses
Small-flowered species bloom a little earlier, large-flowered – later. Looks good in a group planting. They like light soil without stagnant moisture.
Hionodox
Appears from under the snow. These bulbous perennials are so beautiful that you will definitely grow them. It tolerates frost well, does not require shelter. Likes fertile soil. It is planted in places where the snow melts early so that the flowers appear before other bulbous perennials.
summer bulbous
Montbretia
It is considered a relative of irises. The second name is Japanese gladiolus. It grows rapidly, transplantation is required no more than once every five years. They bloom for a long time (up to 25 days) and beautifully, the petals can be yellow, orange or red. Does not like shading and stagnant water. Care is no different from the usual for bulbous perennials.
garden bows
Blooms in early and mid-summer. Among the varieties there are dwarf plants and giants. Unpretentious, but do not like damp shady places. Landing is best done in April, if autumn planting is needed, then at the end of September.
Lilies
The most common class of summer perennials. The color of flowers is so diverse that only one lily can create amazingly beautiful flower beds. Landing is desirable in the fall. When planting, add a little sand to the hole for drainage.
Therefore, purchase planting material before disembarking. Lilies are moisture-loving, respond well to fertilizing with mineral compounds. If faded inflorescences are removed in time, the flowering will be longer.
Galtonia or African hyacinth
Blooms very profusely. The plant is tall, can reach 1 m in height, but very showy. Loves the sun and windless places. This bulbous perennial prefers organic matter, best of all, compost. Likes regular watering, bulbs are dug up for the winter. In the photo, Galtonia flowers are closer:
Gabranthus (Argentine lily)
Has amazing ability. Flowers bloom after rain. Coloring of flowers can be white, yellow, pink. Planting is carried out in the middle of spring, while the bulb should protrude above the ground. Demanding for watering and top dressing. It does not withstand winter frosts, so the bulbs are dug up.
Varieties with autumn flowering period
Garden cyclamen (Neapolitan)
A beautiful plant.
It grows well on nutritious soils, loves moisture, but does not tolerate waterlogging and stagnant water. Requires partial shade and protection from drafts and wind. In one place it grows up to 10 years without a transplant. Plantings are covered for the winter, otherwise the plant may freeze.
Colchicum
Perennial with an autumn flowering period. He loves sunny places, in deep shade can become a prey for voracious slugs. The roots should be in well-drained soil so as not to rot when waterlogged. Although it grows in any soil, even in clay. Planted in mid-August. Doesn’t even require watering. The only exception is when the flowering period coincides with the drought. Carry out weeding to provide the plant with comfortable conditions. There are also types of colchicum that bloom in spring.
Conclusion
This is a small list of bulbous perennials that can decorate the garden throughout the season. The main advantage of these plants is the ability to grow in one place for a long time without transplanting, which greatly facilitates the work of gardeners. And the beauty of the bulbous ones will help you fall in love with them at first sight.