GARDEN TIP: Fall Bulb Planting & Quality Bulb Supplier - Colorblends

I recently received the Colorblends's catalog and have picked out some highlights to share with you.

There are a bunch of ways to figure out if it's time to plant bulbs. For me I check my weather app for the temperatures in my area. If there have been 2 weeks of 50°F (10°C) night time temperatures then that's a pretty good indication we are good to go. I also have the average first frost (32°F, 0°C) marked on my calendar. For my area its Oct 11th - 0ct 20th. I figured out my average frost is by using www.plantmaps.com They create their interactive maps using long term climatology data from the National Climatology Data Center. It's good to plant your bulbs when your soil is about 55°F. To figure this out you could buy a thermometer or just do it by feel. When you dig down a bit does it feel cold and evening temperatures have been around 50°F for 2 weeks? If you say yes to both then you should be good.

From Colorblends's website. These are the recommend months to plant bulbs in your region. With global warming it's good to also check your soil is cold to the touch. If you live in a city your microclimate could me warmer than areas around you.

A photo from Colorblends's website of their Aladdin's Carpet

Now Colorblends's bulb mix called Aladdin's Carpet might be my favorite thing they offer. We have planted this mix at multiple properties and it never fails to get a great response from the clients and comments from people walking by. Even if we plant this mix in part shade the bulbs gave us a nice show at least that first spring after being planted.

A photo from Colorblends's website of their Angelique

Now Colorblends's Angelique has had some of my clients double check with me that it's a tulip. They look at me in disbelief when I say "yes, it's a tulip". It's a double tulip or as some people call it a peony tulip. They have more petals then the common tulip. Definitely one of my go to tulips.

A photo from Colorblends's website of their Muscari latifolium

This guy is great for flower bed edges! Muscari latifolium is a little different than the traditional muscari (grape hyacinth) with the deep-purple color below and bright blue on top. In general muscari is an easy reliable perennial bulb that returns every spring. And it stays fresh looking for many days.

A photo from Colorblends's website of their Hawera

I like Hawera because it has a more delicate feel than your common daffodil. This daffodil makes me stop and take a good look at him. Daffodils are great because if you plant them in a place they like and let their leaves turn yellow before cutting them back they will come back strong for years to come.

Part of page 149 from Colorblends's 2017 catalog

If you're interested in buying some bulbs from Colorblends I recommend requesting their catalog because you will find a lot of interesting information in there that I didn't share. It's super easy and free. Just plug your info in on their website.

Happy planting!

Allie