Now Is the Time to Buy Spring-Blooming Bulbs

That time is now.

Think of these plants as an effective way to add a very specific coloras if by paintbrush.

If you start throwing random bulbs into the ground, it will still be impressive, but less powerful.

I divide my yard into zones.

Each kind of bulb comes up at a specific time, in a well orchestrated series.

A chart likethisone will help you plan.

Heres what you should be ordering now.

Tulips

Everyone lovestulips.

These teacup-shaped blooms are perched almost impossibly above a skinny stem.

In most cases, youll be buying tulips in bunches of ten rather than singularly.

Tulips come as a bulb, which has a teardrop shape, and you plant pointy side up.

Dont sleep onranunculus.

Ranuncs, as people call them affectionately, look like medium-sized open roses.

I particularly like the color mixes thatEden Brothersproduces.

Ranuncs come as corms, which are small, spidery-looking roots no larger than a quarter.

Bearded irises are a real show stopper, with ruffled edges and a lot of color variation.

In either case, youll be planting a rhizome.

Sometimes as tall as four feet, alliums are like upside-down exclamation points in your yard.

Daffodils now span the entire color band, from white through rose, orange, yellow and green.

There are distinctive faces on them, and they come in a variety of sizes.

Daffodils are bulbs, and can be planted close together.

Apeonyis a solid, safe investment in your garden.

Theyll arrive as slightly moist bare roots, which may seem intimidating.

But peonies have the ability to grow by 30% each year.

And each year, youll see more blooms.

While white and pink peonies are classic, there are now red and burgundy peonies as well.

Ive tossed millions of them into my yard over the last 10 years, and got nothing.

If you suffer a similar fate, then I recommend purchasingpoppy roots.

This will allow you to ensure the poppy ends up where you want it.