Among the most popular of the winter-flowering bulbs are the daffodil, crocus, hyacinth, and, of course, the tulip. Gardeners in all climate zones choose any and all of these cold weather bloomers to add a colorful, three-dimensional burst to the otherwise drab, dreary landscape of mid to late winter. In most cases if proper, routine care is taken with the individual bulbs, their flowers will return for several continuous years. Some facts and helpful growing information about winter-blooming bulbs:
Daffodils (Includes Narcissus and Jonquils): Known for their hardiness in cold winter conditions, daffodils require very little maintenance and are capable of reproducing in both hot and cold temperatures. Plant any of the more than twenty-five varieties of this long stemmed flower in almost any part of your garden or yard; they do well under trees, nestled in bunches beneath flowering shrubs, amongst ground cover and in borders and fencerows. They do require a well-drained area of soil, as they take in just the necessary amount of water to survive. The average rain or snowfall of late winter is all that is necessary for the daffodil’s water supply. After the plants have flowered, wait until the leaves are completely brown and dried before cutting down; by waiting, the bulb continues to gain the necessary nutrition and energy for flowering again the following season. Bulbs may be dug up and separated, as they will increase in number, and should be immediately replanted or may be kept in a dark, cool place for up to three weeks.
Crocus: A member of the Iridaceae (Iris) family, the crocus is very often the first of the winter flowering bulbs to bloom, sometimes found to be flowering right up out of the snow. Because of their relatively small size, crocuses are usually planted together in masses of several bulbs, and it’s in this type of planting they are most commonly found, among tree bases, rock gardens, along fence rows and growing wild. There are roughly eighty species of crocus, all native to southern Europe, and it’s from this bulb that saffron is created, a process in which nearly seven thousand flowers are required to produce one ounce of the yellow dye.
Hyacinth: Another very popular choice of gardeners everywhere, the hyacinth is often forced to bloom indoors where its vibrant colors and peculiar-shaped flowers bring an early splash to the dullness of late winter. The hyacinth is a member of the lily (Liliaceae) family, is indigenous to Turkey and was brought to western Europe as early as the 1500s. Like the daffodil and crocus, it requires a rich, well-drained soil when cultivated outdoors. September through November are the best months to plant hyacinth in outdoor gardens, about six inches deep and six inches apart, with blooming occurring from February to April. To force hyacinth, pot the dormant bulb in a cold place near the beginning of autumn and leave for eight to twelve weeks. At that time, bring the pot into a warm, dry place to sit in the sunlight, and watch as the bulb begins to bloom within just a few weeks’ time. Treat the planted hyacinth the same as the other flowering bulbs at the end of its growing season; remove its stalks and let the leaves die naturally.
Tulip: If grown from seedlings, tulips take anywhere from four to seven years to come into bloom; usually only professional growers plant them in this manner. Tulips like medium rich, well-drained soil, and leaves, stems, and flowers all grow from the bulb. Their stems can range in length from four to thirty inches, with one large, bell-shaped flower of an almost limitless variety of color at the center. The flowers of some tulips become streaked with more than one solid color due to viral diseases, but this is not an endangerment to the health and hardiness of this specimen, which has grown from just a few species in the seventeenth century to the over one hundred in existence today.
