beginner to flower bulbs, need advice...?

Question

Hi, I need some advice on bulbs.
My husband and I recently purchased a new home and have been planting things - so far so good with things like roses, daylilies, lilies, irises, gardenias, Texas star, etc. Most of these are transplants from are old house, some are new purchases. Be prepared, I am a newbie and have a bunch of questions...

We now want to purchase rhizomes to add and expand the iris variety for next year. When do I plant these and when would I expect to see them next spring? Someone also told me to put 20-25 mini "bulbs" in one hole for a good planting, is this right?

I have never grown crocus before, but know they are in the iris family and come from bulbs. I am going to put these with my irises, hope that looks OK. Is there any types I can purchase and plant now for Fall blooming? If so, which kinds? I am confused on the time it takes in between putting them in the ground and seeing them bloom. Not sure if I have enough time to see any this year before Spring of next year...if I missed the window of time this year already. Otherwise, when do I need to plan on planting crocus this year and expect to see them bloom?

I also want to branch out and add some daffodils. Any recommendations on another to mix with it that is easy to grow and not expensive? I thought about tulips but then read online that after two years they quit blooming and require digging up the bulbs and replanting! I am not interested in doing that.

Any recommendations for some online suppliers that sell for good prices? My local growers are very expensive. I have found a few people around here that grow daylilies and such that split them off to sell, but not these other things.

I am extremely grateful for any guidance provided. I want a gorgeous yard and don't want to find out the hard way with a lot of costly mistakes. My email is [e-mail]

Answer 1

This supplier is highly recommended with a wide variety of bulbs and other garden plants and shrubs.



http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/

Answer 2

One question at a time-You can plant rhizomes anytime of the year, but irises in general flower about now, mine are still in full bloom, but are getting old, and beginning to wilt. There are some smaller irises that bloom earlier, and some in the fall. I don't know specific names of the earlier and later blooming ones, someone here surely can add that.

As to the 20-25 "mini bulbs" - for irises? They are just rhizomes, not bulbs. For crocus(crocii?) That many might be ok, depending on the size of the hole. It would have to be a pretty good size hole. Crocuses only bloom in the very early spring, and planting them with the irises would be no problem, One will be gone before the other starts, so that would be good planning.

Daffs are easy, and a good source for them will be craigslist. Start looking anytime between now and the fall, people may be wanting to devide their daff beds, and you can find some freebie bulbs and flowers in there.

I've had tulips for years, and they bloom year after year. I don't know what site you were looking at, but in general, tulips last a very long time.

I know this is the tip of the iceberg, but you're on the right track, just keep asking questions everywhere, and I promise you'll wind up a great gardener.

Answer 3

I do not know where you live, but my iris have already bloomed and are gone. I live in North Carolina. I like to put azaleas behind my flowers which bloom more than once a year. You can get different colored day lilies, and the oriental ones look better. You do not have to dig up tulips and replant them if you live in the South. The winter in the North gets too cold and some people do that. Daffodils are pretty mixed and easy to grow. You can also take some of those and separate them after they grow into a clump of them, just like the iris. I plant the tallest flowers behind the shorter ones, but since crocus is small and blooms at a different time of year (in early spring) than the iris, it would be fine to plant some between or in front of the iris. I bought mine in pots when they were blooming (iris) rather than the bulbs because I like to know what they look like before I plant them. They multiply quite fast. I bought most of mine at Lowe's. I have Forsythia, Burning Bushes, wildflowers, day lilies, daffodils, tulips, Cone flowers, ferns, and ornamental pines which do not get over 5 feet tall. I also have large rosebushes along my picket fence (pink, pink and yellow). A little round flower garden has red tulips and white flowers which come back every year. I always have something blooming.

Answer 4

You can find a lot of your answers at lowe's http://www.lowes.com/cd_Lowes+Plant+Guide_253427968_ This is a plant guide. Some of this depends on where youi live. Bulb plants can be planted in early spring (Jan) , easier to plant in late fall (Sept. or Oct). (plant deeper if in wet area) Crocus will bloom first, Yes best in groups, I think 6 - 10 is better. look best if you plant in groups, throw out on grond and plant where they land. They look most natural this way. Daffodils, next, same idea and time for planting. Tulips, Next = same idea and time for planting. Iris = another kind of bulb. Plant on top roots covered, need lots of sun. After flower is spent, this stock will never get another flower. Only the new stocks will get a new flower. You can plant the old stock to get more new ones. Holland bulbs co. great place, many kinds. http://www.hollandbulbfarms.com/ I also love Dalhia's, easy to grow, many kinds and colors, great for cut flowers. Lost of sun for all of these but Crocus.

Answer 5

"20-25 mini bulbs in one hole" is Not good planting. Bulbs will be super crowded and when they produce their own bulblets the crowding is multiplied. Think your "someone" meant mass planting, 20-25 bulbs in the same area.



Crocus are indeed bulbs, there are spring and fall blooming varieties. Fall bloomers are Crocus sativus - saffron source. Spring bloomers are usually the first flowers of the season, some will sprout through snow. Good for borders, low growing, 6-8 inches.



All of the plants you listed are spring bloomers, bloom once then they're done with the exception of day lilies (some varieties are repeat bloomers).



Suggest you consider plants other than bulbs and be aware of the sun (or lack of) your flower beds receive...some plants need shade (impatiens, begonia), some want full sun. Here in SC dianthus is evergreen perennial (supposed to be an annual) easy to grow, blooms all year long.



congrats on your new home, have fun.



Online catalogs:

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oG76ti.ARMKC8B8oJXNyoA?p=online+bulb+catalog&fr2=sb-top&fr=ush-ans&sao=0 (I don't recommend Michigan bulb, rip off.)

http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/GP/homepage/page1

http://gurneys.com/Default.asp?sid=500172&bhcd2=1275394276

http://www.plantdelights.com/