Spring is the time for planting bulbs, perennials, and tubers if you want them to bloom this summer. If you purchased your home in the winter or fall, the snow and mulch might be covering up all kinds of pretty things. Even if you don’t know, you still prepare for spring planting and liven up the inside of your home.
You get those indoor benefits by forcing bulbs and tubers inside your home before planting them in the ground. By starting them in the indoor controlled climates, you can baby them through the early stages and get a head start on your blooms.
Bulbs
Flower and plant bulbs come in two types: warm-climate and cold-climate. Warm climate bulbs include paperwhite narcissus and amaryllis and can quickly be started inside your home in small bowls or pots without any chilling requirements. Amaryllis is an excellent choice for color, coming in several options from white to yellow to red.
Cold-climate bulbs include tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths which come in a great variety of colors, many of which have great names such as Apricot Beauty and February Gold. These bulbs require chilling down to 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit to mimic winter conditions before they will bloom. They need 4-5 months of chilling, so if you didn’t plan in the fall check your local nursery for pre-chilled bulbs.
Once the chilling process is complete, or if you go with pre-chilled or warm-climate bulbs, you can start the growing process. Look up the correct progression from direct to indirect sunlight for your specific flower, but most bulbs should bloom with four weeks of beginning the process. At this point, you can either keep them indoors or if the weather is warm enough, plant them outside.
Tubers and Rhizomes
A variety of other “bulb-like” plants exist that are actually called tubers, Rhizomes, corms, and tuberous roots. Many of these are edible such as potatoes, a tuber, and sweet potatoes, a tuberous root. These groups also include some lovely flowers including begonia, anemones, dahlias, and daylilies. Begonia makes a beautiful indoor decorative plant.
Rhizomes include irises, one of the most popular flowers. Unlike other plants, rhizomes fill in in dense clumps every year. They require some extra care to separate and replant. Thinking about irises? There is definitely one for you, but with over 300 to choose from, you might get a little spoilt for choice. These also need chilling before they bloom, so check your local nurseries for pre-chilled bulbs.
If you plan early and force your bulbs inside you can get that splash of color just as soon it gets warm. Ask your real estate agent about the best landscaping for curb appeal.
