True Bulbs

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Jennifer Manning

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Photo Credit: Jennifer Manning

Hyacinth is one of the most fragrant bulbs and is often grown indoors for that reason.

Bulbs are great excitement boosters! They’re often one of the first signs of spring that brighten the bare and sometimes still-snow-covered landscape. These plants hold the promise of spring and all the glorious blooms in our garden to come.

But have you ever wondered why your tulips don’t come up as well the second year (if at all), while your daffodils continue to spread and multiply each season? There are some very simple reasons why this happens. The following basics may help you understand more about these interesting plants, as well as help you choose the bulbs that are right for you and your gardening style.

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Photo Credit: Jennifer Manning

Another true bulb, lilies create a beautiful effect in the garden when planted in mass.

First, we need to understand what a “true bulb” is – basically a bulb with a fully formed plant within it. So if you were to slice open a tulip vertically, you’d see a small baby tulip with flowers, stems, leaves and roots! Other examples of true bulbs are the daffodil, lily, hyacinth and amaryllis. True bulbs can be annuals or perennials.

Tulips are an annual.

“Surely you jest!” you may say. But no – it’s true. Tulips aren’t perennials, which come back year after year. They only produce one flower per bulb. This bulb is called the Mother Bulb, and it only blooms one time before it dies. The Mother Bulb reproduces by producing bulbets, which must reach maturity before you’ll see additional flowers. The Mother Bulb does not reproduce quickly, and it often takes more than one season to develop a new bulbet. Over time, you’ll begin to see a decline in the bed as old bulbs die and fewer bulbets are produced.

Warnings

Don’t remove any foliage until it’s turned yellow. The nutrients in the leaves return down to the bulb and provide nourishment for next year’s blooms. If unsightly leaves bother you, an easy way to “hide” them is to plant a taller perennial to come up after your bulbs bloom. (An example would be to plant daffodils with daylilies.)
Don’t seal bulbs in a plastic bag when storing them. Bulbs need to breathe. Provide air holes, or better yet, transfer them to paper bags.

Facts

Did you know that the tunicate (paper coat) on a hyacinth bulb can be the same color as the flower? This is often a great way to determine what you have when you buy more than one color.

Tips

Plant bulbs in mass for a dramatic and stunning effect. (Think of the blooms as a bouquet of flowers, and you’ll find your creative juices flowing!)
Don’t be afraid to take a few different types of bulbs and cut them open to see “what they’re made of.” It’s a great way to understand how bulbs grow, and you’ll be amazed at what’s inside.

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