Simple Tips for Designing and Planting Spring Flowering Bulbs

Bulbs are the gateway to the garden. Plant them now and forget about them. By the time spring rolls around, the garden will be full of buds ready to blossom. And, with cooler temperatures, fall is the best season for planting. Whether you’re beginning a garden for the first time or tending an old one, planting flower bulbs has never been easier. Bulbs are a fantastic way to start or maintain a garden because they spring back up each year without any effort. But the key is to plant them correctly now. Don’t worry! The hardest part is deciding which flowers and a color scheme to use.

bulb-tonePlanting Bulbs

Planting the bulbs is simple. Follow the steps below to create a flawless garden.

  1. Dig a hole 3-4 times deeper than the bulb height.
  2. Set bulbs firmly in place, following spacing guidelines.
  3. Sprinkle in a fertilizer made for bulbs such as Espoma’s Bulb Tone
  4. Cover with soil.
  5. Water thoroughly.

Design ideas

Remember when planting bulbs, plant more than you think you need and avoid the temptation to plant in single rows.

  • For the most natural look, group them in a pyramid, rectangle or circular shape.
  • For a camouflaged look, plant low bulbs in front of high. As the high ones die back, the low will cover the dying foliage.
  • For a layered look, plant small bulbs in the same hole as large bulbs.
  • For an entire spring of color, stagger bloom time by planting early, mid and late-season varieties together.

Flower bulbs are a low-maintenance way to expand or start a garden and create a stunning look year-after-year. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful array of color that pops up in the spring.

Buy spring flower bulbs now to prepare for the upcoming fall-planting season.

What’s In Store: September 2, 2017

We’re welcoming fall with a color palette fit for season. Mums, cabbage, kale, grasses, and many cold-tolerant annuals are arriving daily perfect for refreshing your window boxes and patio planters!

A Big Thank You

Today was an incredible day. We are so grateful and humbled by the acts of kindness from our customers, employees and many local residents. In just 24 hours, we collected an unbelievable amount of donations for Boston’s ‘Help for Houston’ drive. We trekked into City Hall this afternoon and delivered 2 box trucks and a van’s worth of diapers, formula, food, clothing + toiletries– all headed for Houston tomorrow. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Refresh your Window Boxes and Planters with Fall Color

It’s the perfect time of year to refresh your tired summer window boxes and patio planters with fall color. Now arriving daily- mums, cabbage, kale, and cold-tolerant annuals in festive hues that will take you through the fall season.

What’s In Store: July 28, 2017

The dog days of summer are here and it’s a great time to refresh the yard! Even though the days are hot and long, we’re still bringing in fresh annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs to add magnificent late-season color the garden.

What’s In Store: June 30, 2017

Get your patios ready for the 4th! Shop our outdoor furniture and accessories at our Winchester and Falmouth stores- now offering free local furniture delivery! We’re bringing in fresh annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs daily to dress up the yard, including larger sizes for instant color. Browse our pottery selection to create your summer container gardens in festive reds, whites and blues! Plus, don’t let the bugs ruin your cookouts. Visit our lawn and garden departments for tick and mosquito solutions to enjoy the outdoors!

What’s In Store: June 23, 2017

It’s National Pollinator Week! Stop in to find an incredible selection of perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs now in bloom to attract bees, birds and butterflies! Now that Summer is officially here, it’s time to get the patio ready! Shop our Winchester and Falmouth stores for outdoor dining and seating in cast aluminum, all-weather wicker, eucalyptus hardwood and more! Get free local delivery too! Plus, don’t miss our sale on 5″ geraniums – 5 for $20! Perfect for adding beautiful color to your window boxes and containers!

What’s In Store: June 16, 2017

There’s still plenty of time to beautify your outdoors! We’re bringing fresh plants into our stores daily including our 8″ and 12″ combo annual planters in beautiful colors and textures! Plant in window boxes and patio pots for instant blooms! This week we’re celebrating Dad with an array of great gift ideas including our teak benches (on special!) windspinners, statuary, Adirondack chairs and more. Visit our nursery and perennial yards for beautiful summer blooms to make your garden sing.

What’s In Store: June 8, 2017

Finally the rain is giving way to the sun! Our stores are blooming with fresh annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs! It’s not too late to get the garden started. Our hanging baskets double as instant container gardens or bedding plants. Visit our perennial yards for beautiful color and don’t forget– Father’s Day is June 18th! Visit our stores for great gift ideas for Dad including our teak benches, statuary, windspinners, adirondak and zero gravity chairs (Winchester & Falmouth only). Enjoy the beautiful weekend!