Sep
Believe it or not, summer will come to an end, temperatures will cool and we will remember why we live here in the Valley of the Sun. When temperatures cool, Fall is the perfect time to plant bulbs and corms in your garden. Then, in the early spring, you will love the blooms that follow.
Bulbs and corms are a great investment because they are perennial, with their blooms returning year after year and they often multiply! The best part about them is most only have to be planted once to reap the benefits year after year.
I have invested in bulbs and corms in my garden and I look forward to their returning flowers every spring. With a little planning, you can figure out just what you want to plant. Here are some of my favorites.
Best Fall-Planted Bulbs and Corms
Here in zone 9b, there are some bulbs and corms that perform better than others. What is the difference between a bulb and a corm? Bulbs are structurally short stems with fleshy leaves or leaf bases. Corms are rounded, underground storage organs consisting of a swollen stem base covered with scale leaves. Bulbs are modified leaves that store nutrients. Both perform fundamentally the same. Let’s talk about some of our favorites for our desert climate:
Daffodils (bulb) – blooming in shades of darkest yellow to palest white and even peach, these members of the narcissus family are such happy bloomers after a cold winter. These flowers look especially good when planted in clusters.
Freesia (bulb) – loved for their sweet scent, long vase life and pure colors, freesia are a favorite for cut flower arrangements.
Calla Lily (bulb/rhizome) – although not considered a true lily, calla lilies are a favorite cut flower. Their tall stem and regal bloom give them an heir of elegance that is unmatched as they are a flower that can stand alone in any vase.
Leucojum (bulb) – also known as summer snowflake, this dainty flower is pure joy! Don’t let its name fool you, though, it blooms in the spring, not summer. Its bell shape and arching stem make it the perfect addition to any fairy garden.
Anemone (corm) – although a popular wedding flower, this bloom is a favorite for any occasion. Anemones come in a variety of colors and add interest to the garden as well as bouquets.
Ranunculus (corm) – popular for its tight, plentiful petal count, this bloom is a long-lasting cut flower. Ranunculus corms have a different look. They have long, spiky fingers that make the corm look like a spider or octopus. Ranunculus are a favorite in the garden and a stunner in arrangements.
When to Plant
Bulbs should be planted when temperatures have cooled. Here in the Phoenix valley, that means mid-October through December, keeping in mind the later they are planted, the less time they have to establish themselves. In my garden, I try to get everything in the ground by mid-November.
How to Plant
There are a few things to keep in mind when planting bulbs and a few steps to take to ensure the most beautiful blooms possible.
Prepare your bed. Bulbs like rich, well-draining soil. Be sure that once watered, your bulbs are not sitting in water that may rot them out. Work compost, wood chips, or other materials into your soil that will encourage proper drainage.
Plant your bulbs at the proper depth. The general rule of thumb is to plant to a depth that is twice as deep as the height of the bulb.
Planting your bulbs in clusters of the same variety will add interest to your garden.
Once your hole is dug, set the bulb in the hole with the roots down and pointy side up. If you are unsure of which end is up and which end is down, you can plant the bulb on its side and it will take care of the rest through a process known as geotropism.
Cover lightly and water in.
Enjoying Your Blooms
Whether you intend to leave your blooms to enjoy in your landscape or cut to bring inside, it is helpful to know the proper time to deadhead or cut for harvest.
If you intend to leave your blooms in the garden, cut from the stem only- not the foliage- once the petals begin to turn brown. Cut all the way down to the ground. This is a process known as deadheading. If cutting to enjoy indoors, cut when the bloom begins to open. This ensures that you will be able to enjoy your bloom for the longest amount of time possible.
Whatever you decide, leave the foliage of the plant in place until it begins to yellow. This ensures that the bulb can receive and store the greatest amount of food possible for its dormant season until it needs that store of energy to bloom the following year.
Caring for Your Bulb or Corm
All of these can be left in-ground in zone 9b, with the exception of ranunculus corms, to be enjoyed next year. These bulbs require little attention or maintenance. They will only need to be dug up and divided every 3 to 4 years. Once you have divided the bulbs, you have new opportunities to plant new bulbs.
Ranunculus corms need to be dug up after they have completed blooming and turned yellow. If left in-ground, these delicate corms will rot. Simply pull up the whole plant and rinse the dirt off. You will find that the single corm you had planted has now multiplied. Gently separate the corm, allow it to dry and then store in a cool, dry place until it is time for planting again.
