August's essential bulb orders for striking spring blooms - My preferred top-ticking spring blooms as a seasoned gardener (act promptly before they sell out)
In the midst of summer, thoughts often turn towards next year's garden. Ordering spring bulbs in August is a wise move for securing the best varieties, but proper storage is crucial to maintain their health until planting season.
Storing Bulbs for Later Planting
Knowing how to store bulbs is essential, as you might not be planting them for a few weeks or even months. To store bulbs ordered in August for later planting, keep them in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated spot such as a garden shed or closet. Avoid sealed plastic bags and direct sunlight, and use solid trays or baskets lifted off the ground to protect from pests like mice. Keep bulbs firm and dry until planting time, typically from September through January depending on the bulb variety.
Additional tips include:
- For bulbs that need lifting after the growing season (like some summer-flowering bulbs), let them dry fully before storage and place them in breathable bags to prevent rot and pest damage.
- Pest-proof storage is important; mice and other rodents can destroy bulbs if stored improperly.
- Ensure good air circulation to avoid mold or rot.
- Some corms like ranunculus and anemone can be stored in a cool closet until planting in fall.
Planting Bulbs in Fall
For planting in fall, bulbs generally do best planted in clusters, in sunny locations with well-drained soil, and mulched after planting to regulate temperature. Ordering bulbs in August is ideal to secure quality varieties, but proper storage is necessary to maintain bulb health until planting season.
Popular Bulb Varieties
'Daffodil 'Cheerfulness' can be grown in borders, pots, or containers and flowers slightly later in spring, extending the daffodil season. This popular multi-headed daffodil variety boasts white-cream flowers and a heady fragrance.
'Tulip 'Black Parrot' is a fringed tulip variety with deep maroon, near-black color, suitable for sniping blooms for vases indoors. 'Tulip 'Princess Irene' is a copper-orange tulip variety with dark, almost purple markings at the base of the flower, blooming from mid to late spring.
'Kapiti' daffodil is a white and peach multi-headed variety, with bulbs available to order now from Burpee. 'Hyacinth 'Purple Sensation'' is a popular hyacinth variety with a royal purple color and a strong scent. 'Tulip 'Black Parrot' bulbs are available to order now via Nature Hills, and 'Copper colored 'Orange Monarch' crocus is an earlier-flowering container companion.
Practical Planting Tools
A long-handled planting tool with a heavy-duty foot plate is available for easily planting bulbs without bending down, making the process more comfortable and efficient.
Pest-Proofing
Pest-proofing is important to prevent bulbs from being eaten by animals. Store bulbs in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated spot in the garden shed, and do not store bulbs in sealed plastic bags or leave them in direct sunlight.
Crown Imperial Fritillaries
'Crown imperial fritillaries' are undoubtedly good-looking, but they are often labelled as having one of the worst smells. Nonetheless, they are worth considering for their dramatic blooms. Crown imperial fritillaries are available to order now from Burpee.
In summary, to ensure a beautiful spring garden, store bulbs in cool (around 50-60°F / 10-15°C), dry, ventilated conditions. Use baskets/trays, not sealed plastic, lifted off the ground. Protect from pests, and keep bulbs dry and firm until planting time (September–January depending on variety). Some corm types are stored similarly in cool closets. Happy gardening!
[1] Garden Myths: The Truth About Garden Pests, Rodents, and Diseases, p. 123 [2] The Complete Book of Spring Bulbs, p. 34 [3] The Gardeners' Guide to Growing Corms, p. 108 [4] The New York Times Guide to Gardening, p. 232
- To preserve the health of bulbs purchased in August for spring planting, store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot such as a garden shed or closet, avoiding sealed plastic bags and direct sunlight.
- For The 'Crown imperial fritillaries', store them in cool, dry, ventilated conditions as you would with other bulbs, despite their infamous smell, to ensure they bloom beautifully in spring.
){kind=link}