OT Planting Bulbs

[lighter]

Does anyone here love to plant bulbs?

I'm in zone 7, and am about to jump into new planting beds.

My question is, what bulbs do you love to plant?  In groups?

When you layer them, what do you plant first?  About how many?  What colors do you like?

When they come up, what makes you happy about them?

I'm thinking yellow, purple, whites and yellow.
lighter

[Hopalong]

When I worked for a publisher and absorbed some gardening info (not that you'd notice from this place),
one thing I remembered was that a wonderful way to plant bulbs is to simply pick what you love, and then
literally toss the bulbs on the ground -- just kind of "sow" them out -- rather than picking a spot or pattern.

That creates a more naturalistic pattern when they grow.

And my NexH², who was a wonderful artist, told me passionately one day that there was NO color that did not "go with" another color--look at nature. Just love and trust color.

I loved that.

So in a very general way, holding the concept loosely, you can generally aim taller ones at the back from the line of sight, if it's a more formal border. But if it's not, just "sow" ....

Happy planting!

Hops

[teartracks]

lighter,

I like informal.  Hops, idea sounds right to me.  I know you'll do those bulbs just right.

tt

[lighter]

Thanks, guys: )

I'm so looking forward to planting things again.

Lighter

[sKePTiKal]

Lighter! You forgot red or pink or rose or orange... and yes, I love bulbs here in zone 7.

I'm also of the informal school - and am naturalizing tall, short, medium and different kinds of bulbs out in the woods. Have a couple more hundred to plant this fall... the deer don't eat them! Sadly, the rest of my herb garden will have to remain at the "old house"... it just won't survive here in sandy soil and hot, dry conditions. I've already toasted a couple of the hardiest transplants.

Alliums - the tall purple ones - are fun, especially for the kids. The little short ones blend nicely with grape hyacinth (which spread like weeds) and miniature daff's... I can't plant tulips, because of the deer... it's a smorgasbord for them. I like a lot of the "minor" bulbs... they're delicate, spring fairy-plants. And it's just so weird to see daffodils and palm trees together... but kinda fun, too!

[Hopalong]

another great way to go, if it appeals, Lighter...is to research your local plants --
plant native species.

That can become a joyful kind of interest...and it's so good for the ecosystem.

Another fantasy somebody should live out (since I can't) is that you can make your own yard, quite simply, a certified Wildlife Habitat. It usually involves food sources for birds, a water source, maybe a log or two (it all depends on what the species natural to your location need)...

This is a joyful idea to me:
http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspx

have fun, whatever you're called to do with your bit of earth...

Hops

[lighter]

Amber:  I think the squirrels will be digging up whatever gets eaten here.  I never see any dear.  The idea of planting bulbs in the forest sounds so nice.... esp tulips. 

I have woods behind the house, and the bulbs would look great there, esp in the mossy areas.

Hops: Thanks for the link.  I'm doing lots of research, and having beds tilled this week.  SO EXCITING:)

We've seen a yearling bear plod through the side yard recently, tons of squirrels taunting the dog, and the bats doing air acrobats each evening at dusk, not to mention occasional visits from turtles and bunnies.  So nice.  Will think about how to support wildlife in plan for yard.  Great idea.

Lighter

[sKePTiKal]

Unless your squirrels are hungrier than ours, I think they'll leave most of them alone! Daffodils and Alliums, especially.

I've not had any problem with grape hyacinths either - both urban and boondock squirrels didn't bother them.

Tulips, I wish I could plant - I have so many bulbs at the old house - but our little herd of deer here are multiplying; we're not allowed to hunt to them and even shrubs and young trees have to be caged to protect them from the hungry buggers. Deer away and other products require repetition in applying - but they do work and most are organic now.

Where I live now is Xtreme gardening; we have almost no humus in the soil - it's all sand - so I've been losing even my never-fail standby plants. Thinking I'm going to have to xeriscape, seriously.

Fall planting is so much fun - you're investing in a glorious spring! OH... and I don't know if this will appeal to you, Hubs decided to take pictures of what came up in the spring, so we'd know where we planted things. At one time, I used to have multiple layers of tracing paper - with the base being what was there, and successive years overlaid on top. It's a little anal, I gotta admit - but I had a lot of stuff over half an acre at one time and couldn't always remember what things were called, etc.

[lighter]

Happy, happy, joy, joy: )

I have a trunk full of bulbs, and I'm not afraid to plant them!

It's been raining softly, and the ground is waiting to be sewn with Spring color.

Lighter