Flower Bulb Care and Tips

Bulbs are one of nature's little care packages filled with wonder and surprise.  A gardener can plop some bulbs in the ground and in just a few months, up pops a colorful masterpiece.  Then what?  Here's a few tips on care of bulbs so that they can reward you with years of eye candy (assuming the kids and the wildlife don't ruin them first):

Bulb planting charts
 (bhg.com)

When planting bulbs, follow depth instructions on the package.  It's always better to turn over a mound of soil when planting, then add soil amendments if necessary, rather then just digging up a little dish full with your hand shovel that's just barely big enough for the bulb to squeeze into.  Give those tender little roots a chance rather than making them struggle to grow in hard, dry, never-before-touched-by-humankind-soil.

Various bulb sizes 
 (alinthegarden.co.uk)

Though not really necessary, you can give newly planted bulbs a sprinkle of bulb food or bone meal by placing it in the planting hole prior to placing the bulb.  If it makes you feel better, go for it.  But when the bulbs arrive at your home for planting, they generally have been well fed and are ready without needing a "bedtime" snack.  Water well after planting and before the ground freezes.

Masses of bulbs planted in color blocks
 (flowerbulbsgarden.com)

For a more spectacular show, don't plant bulbs in a row like little tin soldiers.  Plant them in clusters of 15 or 25 for smaller bulbs, and groups of 5-10 for larger bulbs.  We're going for drama here!

Young green spring bulb sprouts
 (b.love2bnmaine.com)

If you live in a dry climate that doesn't get a boost of spring rain, you'll have to provide the watering services.  This is especially true when little green sprouts appear indicating that the bulb is awake.  A good soak a few times a week should suffice.

Spring bulb bouquet with daffodils
 (oldhousegardens.com)

After the flowers appear, and you start to dream of making a bouquet, keep a few things in mind before you go clipper-happy.  While cutting some greenery from the bulb plant to accompany the flower stem is fine, don't cut too much or all of it.  That greenery will play an important role before the plant goes dormant.

Tulip bulb seed pods
 (greenwalks.wordpress.com)

After the flower fades, don't allow the seed pod to form, by cutting off the dead flower stem.  Growing and nurturing the seed pod will take away valuable nutrients from next year's flowers. 

As the flower begins to fade and the lone greenery is left, please resist the temptation to chop it all down like a crew-cut so that you can plant your summer annuals.  Here is why:  as the bulb moves into dormancy, the greenery slowly dies.  But as it dies, critical nutrients are being pulled down into the bulb to provide it the 'umph' to grow again next spring.  If there is no greenery, there are no nutrients.  This move into dormancy is a good time to give your bulbs another shot of bulb food (which is what the grower did before sending it to you or the store).  Bulbs need yearly feeding to stay productive and happy.  General rule of thumb:  when you can pull off the foliage without any resistance, it's safe to remove it.

Mother bulbs with baby bulblets 
 (landspro.com)

With each passing year, when taken care of properly, bulbs will grow little baby bulbs.  They start out small, about the size of a pea, then continue to grow and mature.  This is why a dozen daffodils planted in one year can produce a hundred daffodils in the years to come.  Some bulbs are better at reproducing than other bulbs.  Growing conditions can also make a difference--too much summer water can mildew and rot dormant bulbs in the ground.

Thanksgiving Point Gardens, Lehi, Utah
(makeitworkmom.com)

For maximum bloom performance, grounds of commercial gardens and buildings generally plant new bulbs each year, and often will sell the used bulbs to the public at a significant price savings.  It doesn't mean the bulb won't perform the next year, it just means the commercial establishment can't take a chance on a lackluster performance in their garden beds the following year and they can afford to do a complete overhaul.  But the home gardener often doesn't mind taking the risk or waiting out the dying foliage...just don't forget to feed them as mentioned earlier.

As the foliage dies, an occasional watering is a good idea.  This enables the bulb food that you've placed on the ground and worked into the top inch or so of soil, to be fully dissolved and absorbed into the soil.

Gladiolus
 (edenbrothers.com)

Keep in mind that bulbs don't just bloom in the spring, such as tulips, daffodils, crocus, and iris.  Research all the varieties of summer blooming bulbs as well, such as asiatic lilies, gladiolus, allium, dahlias (which are technically tubers), and many others.  The same care instructions apply to all bulbs.

Just one more thing, please, oh please, do not plant the bulbs upside down...the poor things already have to work so hard to grow.  Remember, it's pointed end up!

Color Combinations using the Color Wheel

A flower color wheel (photo credit: hgtv.com)

There are many factors that play a role in creating a beautiful piece of living or silk art.  Size, shape, texture, form, and others.  But perhaps one of the more obvious factors is color, which is probably noticed by the untrained eye before most other factors.  Color has the power to relax or excite.  Sometimes we can be bothered by looking at something, or by being in a particular location, and not realize that we're bothered because the colors we are viewing or are surrounded by are arguing with each other.  Who wants to get caught in the middle of that argument?

By being aware of a few basic color principles, it becomes much easier to put flowers together that get along with each other.  So get ready for your science lesson for today!

(graphic source: silk-flower-smart.com)

Here are some examples of the above principles shown in arrangements I've made.  Notice that you can use a hue or tint of a true color shade and still have the colors work together, such as using a shade of purple instead of true blue, or a darker orange to go with yellow.

 Monochromatic

Analogous

Complementary

Triad

So where does the color white fit in to all this color wheel talk?  You may have noticed that white isn't on the wheel.  White can be a color that intensifies the other colors placed with it, or it can be a total distraction.  Although it can technically "match" any color, sometimes it's best to use a shade of cream rather than a pure white.

White used to intensify

No white used

That's probably enough science for one day.  But here's two more pieces of free, unsolicited color advice.  One:  if it's a color combination you wouldn't be caught dead wearing, chances are it's not going to look good in a flower arrangement either.  Two:  if you're having a hard time choosing colors for an event such as a wedding, go stand in front of the paint chips at a paint store.  You can mix and match to your heart's content until it looks and feels right to you (and the color wheel is happy).  Then you can give the final choice paint chips to wedding party members or planners so they don't have to guess just exactly what you mean by "soft blue".

Ugly Bouquets--Okay, Interesting Bouquets

Thought I'd have a little afternoon detour and find some pictures of what I will call "interesting" bouquets and arrangements.  I realize beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, but maybe sometimes the beholder needs glasses.  I readily admit that some of my own creations would never win the blue ribbon at the county fair.  However, a peek at some of the pictures I came across didn't exactly make me think..."Awe, the art of flower arranging!"  Creativity comes in all shapes and sizes, and apparently so does personal interpretation of beauty.  (And just so there's no question...NO, I did not make any of the arrangements pictured in this post!)

Latest trend to keep bouquets looking fresh; use metal flowers...in every color
 

 When all else fails, use all of Grandma's jewelry when you can't find the right flowers

 Not sure what happened here

Greenery, greenery anyone?  How about at least some water?

Blue roses are bad enough, but cupcake blue roses are even worse

That's quite the little arm sculpture there

Careful...careful...don't trip on the ribbon...move over everyone, here comes the bride's bouquet!

Did the cake really have to have all the leftover wedding flowers on top of it?

It's a spider, it's a creature, it's a bouquet that fell on it's head, it's a...well, I'll just leave it at that

Silk Vs. Fresh Flowers

Silk versus fresh flowers.  It's an ongoing debate.  Both sides have their die-hard loyalists.  And like most debates, you can probably find equal numbers from both camps.  My opinion?  Well, it depends...on a lot of factors.

• Are the fresh flowers desired available?  
• How long will the flowers need to last?  
• Is there a wedding with reception and open house in two different locations that both need flowers?  
• Does one have access to wholesale, quality silks (or permanent botanicals as they are sometimes called)?  
• How many stems of the desired varieties are needed?  
• Can you find the colors needed?  
• If it's a DIY attempt for an event such as a wedding, is the person arranging them going to have time to be working with fresh flowers the day before or morning of the event?  (I once heard a horror story of the mother of a bride arranging flowers, in tears, at 3 a.m. the morning of her daughter's wedding...so much for looking your best for family pictures!)

I frequently get asked, "What about the cost difference of silk and fresh?"  It's been my experience that silk is often more expensive, if you're using high quality brands of flowers that are usually only available through wholesalers.  But it also depends on how many stems are needed.  If you only need 3 lilies, and the fresh wholesale lilies only come in bunches of 10, well then, fresh might be more costly.  So like I said, there are many factors to consider.

Now here's another issue people are worried about--how will the silk flowers look compared to fresh?  You decide after looking at a few pictures below:

So what's your vote?  Fresh or silk?  They're both silk (trust me, I made them).  Now here's a thought for you...how about combining fresh and silk?  Sometimes that can be necessary depending on availability.  

The photos below are of a combination bouquet I made.  The red roses are real and all other flowers and greenery are silk.  The decision was made to make it that way due to availability issues, and it was less expensive to use real roses rather than quality silk ones.

Lots of options.  I've used special spray paint made for fresh flowers to create the needed color, and I've used craft paint on silks to tweek them into usefulness.  In fact, the white anemone flowers in the above picture came with yellow centers and I needed black...so voila...black paint and a small paint brush.  

I made an arrangement years ago that used silk red roses and fresh greenery.  I happened to see a lady at the event bend over and "smell" the roses.  She was unaware of the fact that I had made the arrangement or that I was watching her.  I looked on with curiosity as to what she would do.  I was quite surprised to hear her say, "Um, they smell so good!"  I knew silk flowers could fool the eye, but I underestimated their ability to fool the nose as well!

So silk versus fresh?  You decide!

Flowering Branches in Spring Bouquets

A friend of mine recently posted on Facebook that she witnessed someone cutting flowering branches from a tree in the yard of my friend's neighbor...without the knowledge or permission of the neighbor.  My friend was rather appalled, and rightfully so!  Though I've been known to cut foliage from some strange places, I don't attack the neighbor's trees and bushes.

But my friend's comments have turned my thoughts towards flowering branches, and spring--which definitely hasn't sprung yet here in the Rocky Mountains of Utah where I live.  Unfortunately!  Here's a couple of thoughts regarding using flowering branches in arrangements.

Often times, a vase filled with just branches is the most effective way to show off the delicate flowers.  It makes a statement and it doesn't require much arranging.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that due to the woody stems, it can be difficult for the branches to take up water. It helps to scrape 2-3 inches of the outer layer of bark off of the branches with a paring knife to allow for improved water circulation in the stem.

Flowering Cherry Blooms

(Photo by Bridorama)

Flowering Cherry Blooms 

(heirloomphilosophy.blogspot.com)

Flowering Forsythia Branches

(newlyweddiaries.blogspot.com)

Flowering Dogwood Branches

(newlyweddiaries.blogspot.com) 

But don't be afraid of incorporating branches into arrangements that include other flowers as well.  They can be a stunning addition.

An arrangement I created that includes flowering California Redbud blossoms, purple lilacs, white daffodils and purple English iris. 

Flowering Pear blooms with a spring mix.  All of these flowers came from my yard in Northern California several years ago.  I had thousands of daffodils...mainly because the gophers didn't like them due to a toxic gas the bulbs emit.  I love the little clay pot filled with fresh flowers in the bottom of the glass vase.  Just something different!

Leftovers again. Yeah!

As a child I hated leftovers.  My mom probably cringed whenever I asked if we were having "scraps" for dinner. For some reason, she tolerated me calling our dinner "scraps"...guess she had bigger battles to fight.  But as a mom, I LOVE leftovers, scraps, day-two foods, whatever you want to call them.

I now have come to appreciate the value of leftovers in flower arranging as well.  I like to save the bits and pieces that are unused at the end of an arranging project with silks.  Sometimes it appears that there isn't anything worth saving...a little flower here, some leaves there.  But you might be surprised what you can do with some little things--and a few big things as well.

I have a room with a few shelves of vases of different shapes and sizes.  The little painted pot above was one of the items in my collection...who know from what, when or why...but it's been sitting there quietly for several years.  After deciding to make a miniature arrangement for a friend's birthday, I chose this cute but lonely little pot and noted the colors painted on it.  I then explored my "extras" bins, which are all organized by color--a bin for the pinks, a bin for the blues, a bin for the yellows.  You get the idea.  I found a few little pieces here and there that matched the pot's colors, and within a few minutes, I had a little flower arrangement that consisted of things that were too small for a big project but just right for a 4" pot.

Here's another leftovers project.  I had used this container for some fresh flowers and was in the process of putting it away when I decided it would be nice to have a red arrangement in my living room for the month of February.  So I went to my red bin, checked out my options, and voila--a red arrangement.  A few stems of this, three of that, some random grass and leftover sticks.  Some of the items had been previously cut, so I inserted them into spots that worked well with their pre-determined height.  

You just never know how useful those "scraps" are going to be someday, so quit complaining and be grateful!

Is it still Winter?

A few brides struggle with ideas for winter wedding decor.  Most want red, which can be a little...well, ordinary.  However, red does make a great wedding color for the cold, snowy days of winter.  Red offers great contrast and boldness against a sometimes dreary backdrop.  One way to handle the issue is to embrace the elements already present in the season and incorporate them rather than fight them.  Use the winter gifts from nature...pine boughs, pine cones, berries, sticks, tree branches (I'm surprised I haven't been hauled away for "pruning" wild trees in various groves) and even some snow (well, okay--fake snow).

Here's an example of a winter wedding centerpiece using many of the elements listed above.  The bride really wanted to incorporate red roses, but wanted to have it look wintery at the same time.  The bottom of the vases contained rocks, then water and cranberries were added with a floating candle on top. 

 

This is a similar version of the same arrangement, but made for smaller tables for the reception.

 Another winter centerpiece--again the bride wanted red roses, but some berries were added to acknowledge the winter element.

It's not the greatest picture ever taken, but here is a simple arrangement of gold spray-painted oak tree branches set in a tall clear, crystal vase with gold Christmas ball-ornaments to fill in the empty space.  It is then set up on a plant stand with a spot light under it and covered with a gold fabric overlay.  

A similar oak tree branch arrangement (hey, the branches are free) from a different Christmas event.  Silk ivory poinsettias were added to the rim of the vase for a different effect.  Due to the extremely tall ceiling in this room, this type of arrangement can be quite tall to create a dramatic effect. I love the glow created by the spot light under the plant stand!