Fall Flowering Bulbs

Deciduous trees dazzle us with the brilliance of the golds, oranges and reds they display before dropping their leaves in the autumn. However, you don't have to be satisfied with autumn leaf color alone. Consider planting fall flower bulbs.

Spring-flowering bulbs are universal symbols of spring. Many of us wait to see the cheerful little crocus as it pops through the last of the winter snows. The delicate narcissus, the colorful tulip, and the sunny daffodil are all spring flowering bulbs that bring out smiles after long, colorless winters. Just as spring-flowering bulbs bring a welcome burst of color as they usher in the season, fall flower bulbs offer you a last blast of vibrancy to keep in memory through a long, colorless winter.

There are two main differences between spring flower bulbs and fall flower bulbs. Spring flower bulbs are planted in the fall and need a cold period of winter dormancy to flower. Fall flower bulbs are typically planted in the spring or summer. Most fall flower bulbs aren't winter hardy and need to be lifted in the autumn and stored until time for the next spring planting.

When selecting fall flower bulbs, always choose those that are firm and blemish-free. A good rule of thumb to remember is "the larger the bulb, the larger the bloom." The bulb is actually a tiny womb for a flower. In fact, if you split a bulb in half, you frequently can see the bud and in some cases, even see the flower. Everything the flower needs to grow, except water, is contained inside a bulb. Although the differences between them are slight, many of these flower storehouses that we commonly call bulbs are actually rhizomes, corms and tubers. Look for these labels in addition to "bulbs" when purchasing fall-flower bulbs.

The dahlia, which grows from a tuber, is a beautiful late-summer flower that blooms until the first frost. Blooms can range from button to dinner-plate size in virtually every color except solid blue. As all fall flower bulbs, they are easy to plant and easy to care for, requiring only that you lift them in the fall for winter storage.

Colchicums are perhaps the best known but least planted fall flower bulbs. They are unique in that they only need sunlight to grow and will bloom sitting on your potting bench or even on your kitchen table! Large flowers, resembling the crocus, are typically pink. Although they need soil to make roots and foliage, because the bulb must be planted partly exposed, colchicums are a target for snails and slugs, which will peel the bulbs like an onion.

The saffron crocus is a fall flower bulb that does double duty in your flower garden. Lilac flowers display the burnt orange-red stigmas that are the source of the spice, saffron. The flowers only last for two days. Pick the stigmas on the second day, air dry them and you have just harvested flower and fruit gardening guides homegrown saffron to season your dishes.

Tulip Flower and Bulb Flowers section of Gardening-Guides.com

---

Colorado Blue Spruce And Lush Red Roses

Set in a broad expanse of lush green lawn a... Read More

Creativity with Ponds

Here's where your creative instincts kick in. This is where... Read More

Poly Tarps: More Than Meets The Eye

To many people, "tarp" conjures an image of a crumpled... Read More

Wildflower Seeds - Ten Reasons Why You Should Plant...

Native wildflowers are those that were growing naturally in the... Read More

Xeriscaping is Waterwise Gardening

What is xeriscaping? You may have heard of xeriscaping as... Read More

With Outdoor Lighting You Can Enjoy Your Garden Into The Evening Hours

It is a beautiful evening and you are relaxing on... Read More

Introduction to Aquaponics

Hydroponics and aquaponics are very similar in every way except... Read More

A Beautiful Rose Is Natures Gift

Roses are one of natures most beautiful and splendid gifts.... Read More

Fall is the Time to Get Your Garden Trees and Shrubs Ready for Winter: Heres What to Do

Tips for winter care of trees and shrubsWith the garden... Read More

Basil: The King of Herbs

One of the most popular herbs is Ocimum basilicum commonly... Read More

Starting Seedlings Indoors

Unless you have access to a greenhouse, or something like... Read More

How to Grow Chocolate Cosmos

Chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguinea) is both nose and eye candy... Read More

Growing and Preserving Cut Flowers

There is nothing more cheerful than vases full of fresh... Read More

Overwintering Pond Fish

The metabolism of koi and goldfish is controlled primarily by... Read More

How to Create a Zen Garden

When you hear the term "Zen Garden" the picture conjured... Read More

How to Water Your Houseplants Wisely

Over watering ranks first in causes of houseplant demise because... Read More

Tarragon: A Favourite of French Chefs

Long a favourite of French chefs, the herb Artemisia dracunculus,... Read More

Patio Design and Patio Furniture - The Use of Focal Points

A focal point is an important design element; it is... Read More

5 Most Popular Flowers for Your Garden

When planting a garden there are many questions which you... Read More

What is the Right Plant and Where Do I Put It?

Know if your plants are disease-susceptible. Your choice of plants... Read More

Wild Flower Garden - Plan to Plant

In the previous article I discussed design for your new... Read More

Gardening For Birds

What a cruel trick the weather is playing on us.WE... Read More

Planning a Water Garden...

A water garden is the area of your landscape that... Read More

Thyme: The Herb of Courage

Garden thyme, fresh or dried, alone or combined with parsley... Read More

Protecting your Garden Pond from Pesky Predators

Notice any fish disappearing lately? While herons are present year-round,... Read More

Garlic: The Stinking Rose

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used for centuries for both... Read More

Are You Being Taken Advantage of when Ordering Flowers Online?

Did you know that you can send flowers many different... Read More

Hummingbirds ? Attracting Those Little Flying Powerhouses

It's early in May a beautiful fairly warm day so... Read More

Garden Benches - What They Are

Putting in a flower garden or any garden for that... Read More

Planting Bare Root Roses

Before planting, the plants must be prepared. The following suggestions... Read More

Who Sells Flower Bulbs?

Flower bulbs offer some of the most distinctive, unusual flowers... Read More

When to Plant Vegetaibles

Planting times for vegetables and other annual plants vary from... Read More

Sleeping Beauties: Porches For Dreaming

There's something magical about sleeping outside, drinking in the night... Read More