From:
Sally Ferguson
Netherlands Flower Bulb
Information Center/
North America
427 Old Otis Road
Danby, VT 05739
802-293-BULB (2852)

Seasonal Briefs

• PLANT TULIPS IN FALL Spring-blooming tulips herald the season like no other flower. But don’t wait till spring to plant them. Tulip bulbs should be planted now. Flower bulbs are widely available in fall from garden centers, home centers, mail-order gardening catalogues and other garden retailers. For bulb planting ideas, see www.bulb.com.

One romantic flowering combination to try is pink Tulipa 'New Design' (with lovely variegated foliage) planted with Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegance' and brilliant blue-flowered Brunnera macrophylla. (NFBIC image 25683)


• PLANT BULBS IN ODD NUMBERS For mouth-watering spring color, tulips are tops. When planting flower bulbs in fall, group odd numbers of bulbs for best effect. Five, seven or more bulbs positioned in clusters amidst perennials creates a particularly charming effect. For bulb planting ideas, see www.bulb.com.

Shown, Darwin Hybrid tulip 'Big Chief' has enormous iridescent rosy-salmon flowers that bloom mid-spring (NFBIC image 25765)


• SOME TULIPS ARE LILY-FLOWERED Lily-flowered tulips are unusual. Their petals are pointed and slightly reflexed. Frankly they look like lilies in tulip's clothing. For information about all types of tulips, see www.bulb.com.
Lily-flowered Tulip 'Ballade' blooms in late spring. Its gorgeous reddish-magenta flowers with white-edged petals ride high on long willowy stems This beauty is an excellent perennializer in many settings, where it will come back to bloom for several years. (images 25978 & 90158)


• FRAGRANT SPRING For many, the scent of hyacinth flowers is the signature fragrance of spring. Fall is the time to plant hyacinth bulbs in garden beds or containers. Place colorful hyacinths in doorways or on patios where their fragrance can be readily enjoyed. For more container gardening tips, see www.bulb.com.
Award-winning fragrant dark blue hyacinth with purple stripes - Hyacinthus 'Blue Jacket' (NFBIC image 40588)


• PLANT NOW FOR SPRING COLOR Spring blooms in all its glory when you plant flower bulbs in fall. After winter's gloom, a delightful mix of colorful tulips and daffodils is a welcome sight! For bulb planting ideas, see www.bulb.com.
Shown:
Tulipa 'Queen of Night' (black tulips)
Tulipa 'Fire Queen' (orange tulips)
Tulipa 'Upstar' (purplish-rose tulips)
Tulipa 'Shirley' (white and lavender tulips)
Narcissus 'Passionale' (white and pink daffodils)
(images 90091 & 90094)


• FRAGRANT BLOOMERS Fragrant tulips and daffodils are a special treat in springtime. Fall is the time to plant these and other spring-blooming flower bulbs. For an exceptionally fragrant and long-lasting bloom team, pair orange and purple Tulipa 'Prinses Irene' and white and orange Narissus 'Geranium'. For more tips on selecting bulb combinations, see www.bulb.com. (NFBIC image 90239)

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