Selecting, Planting, and Propagating Bulbs for Year-Round Blooms

Success with bulbs begins at purchase. Choose firm, heavy specimens free of soft spots, mold, or insect damage — larger bulbs generally mean stronger flowering. When buying mail-order, stick with reputable nurseries. Inspect tubers for intact skins; size matters less than condition. Reject any bulb that's shriveled or shows decay at the base or neck.

Planting for First-Year Success

Bulbs are remarkably forgiving their first season, often blooming even if planted imperfectly (though upside-down planting isn't recommended!). Enrich soil with organic matter before planting, but skip fertilizer in the holes — the bulb's stored nutrients sustain its first bloom. From year two onward, annual feeding maintains performance.

Propagation by Type

Most bulbs benefit from periodic division, which rejuvenates flowering. Methods vary by structure:

• True bulbs produce offsets around the base; separate and replant these.
• Corms generate cormlets at the base each season; detach and replant the parent corm.
• Tubers are divided with a clean, sharp knife, ensuring each section has an eye or stem portion; replant immediately.

Ongoing Care

Bulbs struggle against weeds, which steal moisture and nutrients. Mulch heavily to suppress weeds; if they persist, water deeply hours before weeding to reduce root disturbance. Water consistently but avoid waterlogging — good drainage is essential. In heavy soils, incorporate compost or manure to improve texture. Watering needs vary by soil type, garden style, and climate.