Choose Perennial Bulbs for a Variety of Color

Geophytes, or perennial bulbs come in numerous types: corms, tubers, tuberous roots, enlarged hypocotyls, rhizomes, and true bulbs.  Each looks differently, both externally and in their internal structures, yet they are collectively and commonly known as flower bulbs.  Of special interest for this article will be perennial bulbs specifically. 

Perennial bulbs are special in that they can “perennialize” –continue to produce flowers for at least 3 years in a row, often even longer, thus skirting the need for being replaced each year.  Beyond their hardiness, they can also be planted nearly anywhere.  For instance, in rock gardens, alongside low growing ground-cover plants (i.e. ivy), in under plantings, alongside trees, shrubs, and other similar woody perennials. 

When planting perennial bulbs, know that just as there are numerous types and so too are the planting instructions for each type.  Yet generally, most geophytes take the same basic care and precautions.

First, you must know the depth of a given geophyte.  This is normally between 12.5 centimeters and 20 centimeters (the less durable, the deeper is the general rule).  In doing this, give enough room for each plant to grow not only up, but out, over the next 3 or 4 years.  Each species is different and requires a different radius of expansion, which should be indicated when you purchase a given set of bulbs.

 A good way to ensure that water drains properly is to line the ground with pumice, sand, or mulch that is mixed with the soil.  One of the more popular (and recent) methods of mulching involves using the bark of pine trees (though pine chips will also do fine).  As well, lime may be added at approximately 4 or 5 pounds per square yard, depending upon how acidic the soil is (6 to 6.5 being optimal on the Ph scale).

Mulch serves not only to create air pockets and looseness to the soil to allow for proper water drainage, but also allows new roots to auto-correct the depth of  perennial bulbs to their specific needs.  Moreover, despite the concept that perennial bulbs are next to indestructible, the truth is that they too can suffer from deep freeze and so the mulch acts as a form of insulation.

If you are hoping for flowers in the spring –or early summer at the latest, it’s important to plant them in the autumn to create a hardy root system and to capture a correct amount of time in the cold.  Strangely enough, most bulbs must actually experience a certain period of time in the cold (at least a month and a half with most species, and even as long as 5 months in certain cases.  This means planting at the correct time as indicated on the instructions of your specific perennial bulbs.  One remedy around this for those living closer to the equator is to leave the bulbs in the refrigerator for a period of time.