Archive for the spring tag

Proper planning ensures reliable spring bulbs

September 2, 2021 • Leave a Comment

Each year I plan, purchase and plant thousands of bulbs. Here’s what I’ve learned to do in fall to insure the best show of spring bulbs.

**In early April, all eyes will be on this blooming cornelian cherry tree (*Cornus mas*), or gazing at the yard art. Plan the bulb planting scheme in the fall to highlight those attractions.**

Think “grocery produce section” when selecting bulbs

When you choose bulbs in person at the local garden center, you have a significant advantage: you have direct control over quality. Make the most of it. Pretend you’re at a grocery store choosing vegetables, because that’s what bulbs are—root crops.

You would think twice about buying a mushy potato, rubbery carrot or shriveled onion. Be just as choosy with bulbs. Select for firmness and even color. Check for soft spots that may be on their way to rotting, and reject bare-root ephemerals like foxtail lily (Eremurus) if they have broken roots. Take the largest of any bunch.

Keep the same mindset if you must store bulbs before planting. If the bulb has a tunic (a papery skin as on a tulip, daffodil, crocus, etc.) or a horny surface (such as snowdrops and spring-blooming anemone), store it cool and dry like you would store onions or garlic. If it does not have a protective covering, like a true lily or a bare foxtail lily root, keep it as you would carrots—cool and humid in a refrigerator crisper drawer or root cellar. If it’s wrapped, make sure that condensation doesn’t collect and puddle inside to incite rot on the surface of the bulb or root.

About price: Bargain basement bulbs are usually disappointing. If you buy the cheapest, you’re almost certain to receive bulbs half the size of premium items. They may be dry and wasted from improper storage. Given years of ideal conditions, such bulbs may produce a decent display. Next spring, however, they’ll present flowers few and small.

Beware of low-priced collections too. Whether of mixed varieties of one species or a “spring collection” of different species, they rarely live up to their promise. The catalog may illustrate a mix of six types of daffodil or tulip yet ship just 5 of the fancier types to each 45 of a pale, small-flowered type. The mixed-species collections often contain only a few of each big, showy species (hyacinths, daffodils, tulips) but many of each minor bulb (squill, winter aconite, glory-of-the-snow, etc.). They sometimes include downright weedy species such as star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum).

Far too often, the tiny, early bulbs are overlooked when we plan and plant in fall. Yet masses of any of this collection can be planted to naturalize most anywhere in a landscape. Flowers, from left: White *Puschkinia* with its baby blue stripe accompanies early daffodil ‘Jack Snipe,’ fading away as lamium covers that ground. Blue squill (*Scilla sibirica*) plus the blue and white forms of woodland anemone (*Anemone blanda*) are great partners with the evergreen perennial lenten rose (*Helleborus* x orientalis) under a kousa dogwood. Blue ‘Harmony’ and standard purple iris (*Iris reticulata*) can mix it up with yellow crocus (*Crocus chrysanthus*) among clumps of blue fescue or perennial fountain grass.

Include early-, mid- and late-blooming types

You can enjoy spring bulb bloom from early March until early June. Most crocuses come early in that line-up, followed by Dutch hyacinth and daffodils in April, and tulips from late April into May. Alliums, foxtail lily and others carry the show into June. Within each group, however, there are early-, mid-, and late-blooming species and varieties. Take the time in fall to plan a mix that will give you spring color every week that’s important to you. (See the sidebar “Parade of bloomin’ bulbs” for a starting line-up.)

Short on space? You can plant two, three or even four kinds of bulbs in one area if you choose for separate seasons and give all players elbow room. For instance, I have planted squill, early species tulip (Tulipa kaufmanniana), checker lily (Fritillaria meleagris), and drumstick allium (Allium sphaerocephalon) in one spot. I excavated that bulb area about 10 inches deep and placed the tulips, then added a few inches of soil and set the checker lilies and drumstick alliums. Finally I added another inch of soil, scattered the squill and covered it all with the rest of the soil.

There’s no right or wrong in bulbs or any other aspect of gardening, just different ways for each gardener and garden. A catalog may recommend 188 Grecian windflowers (*Anemone blanda*) per square yard, and you certainly can plant that many for immediate impact. Yet you can also place just a few near your favorite garden sculpture and watch them multiply over the years.

Plant them where you’ll see them

Before you plant, stand in the windows you use most in late winter and early spring. Look at your garden from there and from the driveway where you enter and exit. Plant spring bulbs where you will be able to see them from these vantage points or you’re wasting your time and money.

Bulb color goes a long way—if you can see it. So it’s a smart move to plant daffodils where you will see them each day as you leave and come home again. Never forget as you make your choices, however, that most spring bulbs need full sun to bloom well. Note the difference here in the amount of bloom between the daffodils in the wooden barrels and those in the beds. Those in the barrels were sun-grown in pots and moved into the planters for temporary show. Those in the beds have grown there for years, shaded most of each day.

Plant them deep

The rule of thumb for bulb depth is to set a bulb with soil over its nose 2 to 3 times as deep as the bulb is tall. That means to plant a tulip, daffodil, lily or large allium, you need a hole 8 or 9 inches deep. That will accept the three-inch bulb plus at least six inches of soil above it. Most people plant shallow and pay for it in frost damage, toppling flowers and blooms that come one year then never again.

I plant even deeper than recommended. I put large bulbs in holes at least 11 inches deep. If the drainage is good, they don’t mind at all, and need dividing less often. Plus, I won’t harm them as I garden because they’re all below the reach of my nine-inch spade blade.

Doubtful? Experiment with just a few bulbs planted deeper this fall. Note what you planted deep, where, so you can gauge the results next spring. I still do, since I’m not sure I’ve pushed it to the limit, in terms of depth. One fall, after planting a dozen tulips a foot deep, I forgot all about them and later dumped a wheelbarrow of soil there and topped that with a leftover bale of straw. The next spring, the tulips grew from a foot down, through the piled soil, plus 14 inches of baled straw to bloom cheerily above the heap.

That just goes to show that there’s no absolute right or wrong when it comes to using bulbs or any other aspect of gardening. Take that to heart as you plan and plant bulbs this fall. Have fun, and enjoy the surprises spring will bring.

Parade of bloomin’ bulbs

Here’s a list of which bulbs are likely to bloom when, with what. To use it, remember it’s only a guide—winter and spring weather can slow one bulb and speed another—and adjust for length of growing season. It’s geared to use in northern zone 5, where the growing season starts later than it does in a more southern zone 5 but earlier than on the Lake Superior shore zone 5. So change mid-March to early March if you’re in zone 6, or to late February for a zone 7 North Carolina winter home.

Very early (by mid-March): Snowdrops (Galanthus), early crocus (Crocus sieberi, C. minimus, C. tommasinianus), danford and netted iris (Iris danfordiae, I. reticulata).

Early (late March to mid-April): Grecian windflower and wood anemone (Anemone blanda, A. nemerosa), squill (Scilla sibirica), Puschkinia libanotica, Dutch crocus, Dutch hyacinth, early- and mid-season daffodils, firespray- and tarda tulips (Tulipa praestans, T. dasystemon), glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa).

Mid-season (late April and early May): Late daffodils, early tulips (Triumph, Foster, multi-flora, and Greigii tulips followed by lily-flowered and fringed types), western trout lily (Erythronium ‘Pagoda’), checker lily (Fritillaria meleagris), summer snowflake (Leucojum‘ Gravetye’), grape hyacinth (Muscari).

Late (mid- to late May): Late and parrot tulips, species tulip (Tulipa wilsoniana), quamash (Camassia), large-flowered alliums, sego lily (Calochortus), perennial glads (Gladiolus byzantinus), bluebells (Hyacinthoides campanulata).

Very late (end of May and into June): Sicilian honey lily (Nectaroscordum siculum), foxtail lily (Eremerus), drumstick and blue allium (Allium sphaerocephalon, A. caeruleum), California hyacinth (Triteleia laxa, Brodiaea).

Article by Janet Macunovich and photos by Steven Nikkila, www.gardenatoz.com.

RELATED: Moving spring flowering bulbs

RELATED: Plant Focus – Crocus

Plant Focus: Crocus

September 1, 2020 • Leave a Comment

For a gardener, there are few sights as welcome as the first crocus of the year, peeking its flowers through the freshly melted snow of late winter. Crocus is a very hardy perennial and one of the few plants that can bloom as early as February or March. By being hidden deep in the soil, crocus corms are naturally insulated from severe temperature changes, ice and wind. Flowering is initiated by just a few consecutive days of temperatures above freezing. Once the first few inches of soil can thaw, flowers emerge and will last for several weeks despite more wintry weather. Crocus flowers can protect themselves by closing up in the evening and also whenever they experience severe weather.

**‘Yellow Mammoth’ (Photo: Dutch Gardens)**

Crocus have long been popular with gardeners for several reasons. Their durable flowers are available in many colors including yellow, white, purple, blue, and pink. One plant will usually return year after year and develop offspring that can produce additional flowers in beautiful drifts. The two-inch flowers are made up of 6 oval petals that surround 3 prominent yellow to orange stamens. Crocus grow from one-inch corms rather than actual “bulbs.” Both are just compressed stems: bulbs consisting of fleshy scales and corms being more solid. Gladiolus is another example of a corm.

**‘Whitewell Purple’ (Photo: John Scheepers, Inc.)**

Crocus are native to the rocky slopes of the Mediterranean countries and southwest Asia. They adapt to cold winters, full or partial sun, and well-drained soil. Most Michigan gardeners have the first two, but well-drained soil may have to be created if clay is prevalent. Drainage can be improved by adding aged pine bark or compost to your soil. Since crocus corms are planted 3 to 4 inches deep, only about 4 inches of soil below them needs to be well-cultivated. Corms should be at least 3 inches apart. However, this is the type of bulb that looks great planted in more natural and random masses.

Most crocus have only one serious threat to their perennial existence. Hungry bunnies seem especially tempted by the leaves, flowers and corms of several species. Corms can be protected by several methods. Gravel worked into the soil above the corms will make digging them up difficult. Liquid or powder deterrents can be used to treat corms before planting. Keep in mind that freshly planted bulbs and corms are most likely to create curiosity amongst browsers. Once established, they are rarely disturbed. If all else fails, you can plant in below-grade, wire mesh cages that are impenetrable. To protect leaves and flowers, apply a granular deterrent or a spray.

**‘Ruby Giant’ (Photo: John Scheepers, Inc.)**

There are many varieties of spring-blooming crocus but most of the hardy ones fall into four species. Crocus ancyrensis is golden bunch crocus. The selection ‘Golden Bunch’ produces up to five deep orange-yellow flowers in a “bunch” per corm. Of the four species, this is one of the earliest to bloom; late February is not unusual if Mother Nature is cooperating. This is also one of the more vulnerable to attack from the bunnies.

**‘Jeanne d’Arc’ (Photo: John Scheepers, Inc.)**

Crocus chrysanthus is available in several varieties, all of which are referred to as snow crocus or golden crocus. ‘Cream Beauty’ is a strong grower that is primarily white with a white center. ‘Ladykiller’ is also white but with purple on the outside of the petals. ‘Advance’ is yellow inside but the outside is unique because the petals alternate creamy yellow and purple. Corms produce 1 to 4 flowers each in late February or early March. Like C. ancyrensis above, rabbits admire this species.

Crocus tommasinianus is a wonderful choice for several reasons. This species is the most pest-resistant crocus available. If you have lost crocus to rabbits or squirrels, this may be the choice for you. C. tommasinianus is also the most prolific grower. It will quickly naturalize to form masses of flowers. The most readily available variety is ‘Barr’s Purple.’ Its deep violet petals fade to a bright white center that is highlighted by bright orange stamens. It blooms almost as early as the above two species, usually in early March.

The most popular species is Crocus vernus or Dutch crocus. Unlike the previous species, one large flower with large gold stamens is produced from each corm. It is available in several colors ranging from white to stripes to purples. ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ is a bright white with large flowers. ‘Pickwick’ has large white flowers with dark lavender stripes inside and out. ‘Remembrance’ and ‘Flower Record’ are deep lavender and pale lavender respectively. Dutch crocus usually bloom from March to early April.

Fall is a perfect season for planting. Cooler weather means less heat stress for both plants and people. Plants are naturally becoming dormant and are far less susceptible to drying out and experiencing transplant shock. Fall is also the only season for planting spring-blooming bulbs and corms. Once the ground freezes, the opportunity is lost and you’ll regret not having these heralds of spring glowing in your early season garden. Crocus are relatively inexpensive and are available almost anywhere bulbs are sold. With minimal effort this fall, you can enhance your existing landscape and welcome spring with the bright blossoms of crocus.

**‘Blue Pearl’ (Photo: Van Bourgondien)**

Crocus CRO-kus
Plant type: Corm (commonly referred to as a “bulb”)
Plant size: 3-5 inches tall
Habit: Clump-forming
Flower colors: Purple, violet, reddish- purple, lilac, yellow, cream, white
Flower size: 2 inches wide
Bloom period: Late winter to early spring
Light: Full to partial sun
Soil: Well-drained
Uses: Plant in natural drifts in the perennial border, lawn or rock garden
Remarks: The corms develop offspring that can produce additional flowers to create a naturalized look

George Papadelis is the owner of Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy and Shelby Township, MI.

RELATED: Colchicum and Fall Crocus

ELSEWHERE: More on Crocus at Chicago Botanic Garden

Plant Focus: Viola

March 3, 2020 • Leave a Comment

*Viola cornuta* (Photo: Jonathon Hofley / Michigan Gardener)

by George Papadelis

In the spring, the earliest bedding plants to appear at your local garden center are violas and pansies. These are usually available in flats and look similar except violas have smaller flowers than pansies. So, what is the real difference between violas and pansies and is this the same “violet” that has spread all over my friend’s yard? As a matter of fact, the plants referred to as “violas,” “pansies,” and “sweet violets” are all in the same group of plants, namely the genus Viola.

*Viola cornuta* ‘Jersey Gem’ (Photo: White Flower Farm)

Pansies are the result of crossing different species of violas. These “hybrids” (called Viola x wittrockiana) have flowers 2 to 4 inches across and include an incredible range of colors including white, black and practically every color in the rainbow. These plants will tolerate freezes and frosts, so gardeners can plant them as early as April 1 here in Michigan. They will flower profusely all spring and if old flowers are removed, they will most likely continue through the summer. The cool fall will encourage more flowering, which often lasts until the winter holidays. In our climate, pansies planted in a protected area usually return one more season for another performance, although somewhat less spectacular. Protected areas include the south side of the house and the cooler east side.

The smaller-flowering viola (Viola cornuta), sold in flats every spring, has evolved greatly. Several series such as the “Princess” series and the “Sorbets” have introduced new colors and color combinations that rival the closely related Johnny jump-up (Viola tricolor). Violas planted in our climate last one or two seasons. Just like pansies, spent flowers must be removed to encourage flowering through the hot summer.

Viola

Botanical Name: Viola cornuta (vy-OH-lah kor-NEW-tah)
Common Name: Violet, horned violet
Plant Type: Hardy annual/tender perennial
Plant Size: 5-10 inches tall
Flower Color: White, purple, violet, yellow, maroon
Flower Size: 1-1/2 inches wide
Bloom Period: Spring to fall
Light: Partial sun to sun
Soil: Well-drained, moist
Hardiness: Zone 5
Uses: Areas that are partially sunny, yet moist
Remarks: Remove spent flowers to encourage blooms through the summer

The dangerous member of this group is Viola odorata or “sweet violets” which are often just referred to as “violets.” These are very perennial, produce fragrant, small flowers in the spring, and may spread everywhere if you let them. Like violas and pansies, sweet violets produce seeds which may germinate and produce more plants. However, sweet violets also send underground stems called stolons in all directions, which may be difficult to find and remove. This invasive nature makes it an excellent groundcover or a wildflower in a naturalized site. Sweet violets have also been planted for as long as gardens have existed. The flower market in Athens, Greece sold sweet violets as early as 400 B.C. Its fragrance has been used by the perfume industry for centuries and is still being used by some today.

All members of the genus Viola produce edible flowers. Chefs all over the world use these showy blossoms as an attractive garnish, especially on salads. The blossoms also make great cut flowers and are among the most popular flowers for pressing. Members of the Viola family grow best in partial sun but full sun can be tolerated. High temperatures and drying out will cause stress, so keep the soil moist and cool if possible.

*Viola cornuta* ‘Cuty’ (Photo: White Flower Farm/Michael Dodge)

Gardeners looking for something different may want to try the purple-leafed viola (Viola labridorica) for its attractive foliage and fluorescent purple flowers. Other violas such as Viola koreana even have attractive silver patterned leaves. The bird’s foot violet (Viola pedata) is easy to identify because the leaves look just like a bird’s foot.

From a naturalizing habit to being self-contained, the genus Viola is so diverse that every gardener is sure to have a spot for at least one variety!

George Papadelis is the owner of Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy and Shelby Township, MI.

Ask MG: Why is my Purple smoke tree not smoking?

March 10, 2018 • 7 Comments

I have a purple smoke tree that is about 9 years old. It is a large, healthy tree, but it has never “smoked.” Every spring it is full of blossoms, then when other smoke trees are beginning to smoke, the blossoms on this tree shrivel and die. I have tried watering it more, I have tried watering it less. Any ideas? J.W., Ann Arbor

Although smoke tree or smoke bush (Cotinus coggygria) requires well-drained soil and full sun, it is quite adaptable to different soil conditions. A large shrub or small multi-stemmed tree that can grow to 15 feet tall, it can work as a background plant for the mixed border or as a single specimen plant. Its claim to fame is the cloud of pinkish gray “smoke” that covers the plant in the summer. The effect is the result not of flowers, but of tiny pinkish hairs on the small fruits that occur in large clusters. There are some popular cultivars with purple leaves and darker flower clusters, such as ‘Royal Purple,’ ‘Velvet Cloak,’ and ‘Nordine Red.’

While smoke bush is relatively easy to grow, it can use some help in the early stages of development. For a new plant, avoid planting in waterlogged or poorly draining soil. For an existing plant, dig a dozen holes with a crowbar at the drip line that are a foot deep. Fill these holes with 5-10-10 fertilizer. This should be a one-time application. Early spring is best but it can be any time. It isn’t necessary to repeat this unless the smoke bush is not thriving in later years. Woody plants are going to be happier if you don’t overdo it. Annuals, tropicals and turf are heavy feeders, but over-fertilizing perennials and woody plants can force them to produce more stems and leaves than they want to, which can lead to unnecessary stress. Once established in the landscape, shrubs and trees adjust to the nutrients in the soil and often don’t want too much extra pampering. Avoid fertilizing (directly or indirectly) with high nitrogen (lawn) fertilizer; nitrogen promotes stem and leaf growth at the expense of flower production.

If your tree is planted in the lawn, remove the grass in at least a 6-foot diameter area around your tree. Mulch the area (do not pile mulch up against the trunk) and water infrequently: a good soaking once per week is much better than multiple small waterings. Smoke bush is drought-resistant and overwatering can result in few or no blooms, and makes it more susceptible to disease. Woody plants need watering less frequently than tender annuals, lawn, or herbaceous plants. Most established trees and shrubs can go weeks without supplemental watering except in very hot or windy weather.

What is the best time of year to reseed bare patches in the lawn?

July 8, 2011 •

What is the best time of year to reseed bare patches in the lawn? Can it be done in the spring? If so, please provide tips.

In Michigan, late August to mid-September is the ideal time to seed all grass types. The soil is warm yet the air has cooled down from summer temperatures.

However, most homeowners don’t want to go through the summer with a spotty lawn. Mid to late spring can be a suitable time to reseed bare patches in the lawn, after frost warnings are lifted. The soil temperature needs to be at least 50 degrees for grass to germinate at a normal rate. Waiting longer gives the soil more time to warm up to about 60 degrees and improves your success rate. Given sufficient moisture, the seed will germinate quicker with the added warmth, depending on the seed type.

Do not apply any spring lawn weed killers or crabgrass preventers. If you do, grass seed will not sprout or the seedlings will be killed along with the weeds and crabgrass.

Prepare the patches by removing any weeds. Scratch up the soil with a heavy dirt rake or cultivator. Mix up 1/3 sphagnum peat moss with 2/3 good garden soil to get a light, spongy texture. Add 1-1/2 cups of balanced organic fertilizer per bushel of soil making sure the fertilizer has a high phosphorous (P) content to stimulate root growth. Most “starter fertilizers” are high in phosphorous. Spread this mixture over the bare spot until it is slightly higher than the surrounding soil level. Gently work it into the scratched-up soil originally there.

Use a seed type similar to the existing grass unless it was the wrong kind to start with. Buy new seed. The percentage of seed that will germinate from old seed drops drastically with each year. Also avoid bargain seed. They generally contain the largest amount of annual or rough-bladed grasses.

Hand cast your seed and don’t be stingy. About 15 to 20 seeds per square inch is good. Bury the seed 1/8 to 1/4 inch into the soil by dragging a spring rake over the area with the tines inverted. Do not tamp so hard that you compact the soil. You want water to soak in easily. It is also helpful to cast some of the new seed to the outside of the repaired spot. This helps the new grass blend into the neighborhood!

Grass seed needs both moisture and warmth in order to sprout. Cooler temps will make it germinate slowly. But if there is a lack of moisture it won’t do a thing. Once the seed has germinated, avoid walking on the repaired spots to give the new plant roots time to dig in and acclimate. If you seed with a blended mix, the different types will germinate at different rates. So when you see green sprouts, continue to provide water for the later varieties to germinate.

Related: Keeping your lawn green

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