Bulbs
Designing with bulbs can be an exciting way to create various " wow " moments in your garden . One common method of placing bulbs is to throw a fistful into a garden bed and plant them where they land , which results in a natural - looking display of blooms . However , with a bit of creative thinking , there are many other ways to attain mythic results using bulb .
1. CREATE COLOR ECHOES
Creating color echo is a well - known design conception for bloom shrubs , perennials , and annuals . But , do n’t bury to include incandescent lamp ! Some of the most impactful color echoes can lead from a anthesis medulla that echoes nearby foliation or flower . Take it one step further and draw out unusual sources of color that might result from your flowering incandescent lamp , such as a secondary , less - obvious color from a petal , stem , or leaf .
The subdued yellow and white daffodil ring the variegated foliage of the neighboringIris pallida‘Variegata ’ . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
2. TREAT AS EPHEMERALS
Ephemerals are wild flower typically found in a forest setting that briefly appear in other spring . They turn underneath deciduous trees , taking vantage of the sun before the tree ’s canopy fills out and make impenetrable shade . Once the tincture appear , the ephemerals fade aside until the following bound . It ’s a glorious thing to see these fugitive moments of beauty !
Even though bulb are n’t technically consider ephemerals , by establish them beneath a gravid deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shrub , the conception is similar — letting the electric-light bulb take advantage of the temporary cheery location , fading away once the shrub or tree begin to leaf back out .
study reward of the late winter sun , a carpet of crocus blooms under a deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . The flowers are finish once the tree begins to flick out again . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
3. VARY BULB HEIGHT
When engraft a traditional garden bed , a mutual scheme is to place taller plants in the back , medium plants in the middle , and small-scale industrial plant in the front . The same concept can be applied to bulbs by using varieties with vary meridian .
This strategy allows for smaller bulbs to be easily appreciated when planted up front , and create optical deepness with grandiloquent flower planted in the back of the border . The result is a much more engaging and dynamic garden , encouraging one to drop a little more metre taking it all in before moving on .
Small white rain lilies bloom in front of the tallerBegonia boliviensis . pic by : Rebecca Sweet .
4. PLANT IN DRIFTS
Create some garden drama by imbed a trend of medulla versus equally spacing them throughout the garden . For instance , a belt of 50 + bloomingMuscaribulbs create much more turmoil than if they were sporadically constitute here and there in minor clusters .
Drifts also produce visual movement , encourage Edgar Albert Guest to follow the gallery to explore the rest of the garden .
A mass of lavender grapeshot hyacinths create a optic encroachment , exciting to view both up closely and far aside . exposure by : Rebecca Sweet .
5. USE CONTAINERS TO TEST COLORS
While there ’s nothing wrong with enjoying a giving container of brightly non-white medulla oblongata on your patio or near your front doorway , why not take reward of the pot ’s mobility and place it within your garden layer ? This is a rattling way to test a particular vividness combining without the commitment of planting the bulbs in the ground . If it ’s not quite right , simply move the container to different surface area in the garden until you find the sodding place or the desire colour combination from surrounding plant . When the bulbs are finished blooming you could plant them in the ground with confidence , knowing they ’ll look fabulous next year .
A blooming green goddess of orange tulip nestled within the garden bed not only tot up height , but allows for try out with colors . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
6. DISGUISE DYING FOLIAGE
As a lightbulb ’s flower and foliage begin to fade , it ’s tempting to clean up up and withdraw the dying leaves . However , push that temptation ! While perhaps a little unsightly count , the foliage is fussy gathering energy to hive away in the electric light for next year ’s flower . bump off the foliage too early , and you ’ll have much smaller ( if any ) blooms the following class .
One method to mask unsightly foliage is to plant the medulla oblongata behind or near low - growing evergreen plant plant or ornamental Mary Jane . By doing this , when the foliage begins to flop , it can neatly be tucked behind the plants in front , allowing them to blow over aside at their own stride .
Once the foliage is suntan - color and dry out out , it ’s good to remove . At this point , the foliage should easily pull away from the bulb , but if not , use pruners to avoid accidentally dislodging the medulla oblongata .
Another similar method to disguise a bulb ’s dying foliage is to plant the bulb near perennial or yearbook that will set about grow just as the bulb is land up blooming . standardised to the evergreen flora strategy , the perennial or annuals will partially grow over the foliage , hiding it from panorama and permit it slowly fade away .
The gray foliage of theSenecio‘Silver Gleam ’ spotlight the purpleAllium‘Lavender Bubbles ’ and hides the fading foliage . picture by : Rebecca Sweet .
7. STAGGER BLOOM TIME
Having a four - season garden , with something blooming throughout the entire year , is a goal for many gardeners . When choosing plant with staggered flower times , do n’t bury to include bulbs that flower throughout the yr as a fantastic way of life to add four - season interest .
The summer - bloomingAllium‘Millenium ’ gain its show after the spring - blooming bulb have finished their show . photograph by : Rebecca Sweet .
Create Magic in Your Garden with Fall Blooming Bulbs
Transform your fall garden with the counsel of horticulture expert Rebecca Sweet from Harmony in the Garden . Discover how she use drop - blooming light bulb to create three dynamical combinations full of ocular energy .
