By Allyn Paul, filed under Planting Flower Bulbs.

Bulbs are an easy way for a gardener to bring color and life into their garden. They can easily be planted in the fall and will be ready to bloom come spring. If you haven’t worked with bulbs before, it can be difficult to choose bulbs since there are so many different varieties available. Here are a few suggestions for you to consider as you choose which bulbs you will be planting this fall.

Bulb Can Mean Many Different Things

When people say bulbs, they often mean many different things. Bulbs can come in many different shapes, sizes and varieties. Often people refer to the rhizomes of the iris plant, the tubers of dahlias, the corms of the gladiolus and traditional bulbs like daffodils and tulips all as bulbs. Read packages carefully so that you really know what you are purchasing. Tubers, rhizomes, corms and bulbs all have different planting, splitting and care requirements, so you need to know what you are purchasing.

When to Plant

Most spring bulbs are planted in the fall. However, some bulbs aren’t able to withstand cold winter temperatures. These tender bulbs need to weather the winter inside. If you plan on planting begonias, dahlias, gladiolus, freesia or other tender bulbs, be aware that in climates where the ground will freeze, you will not be planting until after the ground thaws in the spring. Other bulbs should be planted in the fall before the ground freezes so that they will be ready to grow come spring.

Level of Care

Also pay attention to the level of care required for each bulb you are selecting. Some bulbs are very easy to grow and require little more than plopping them in the ground and splitting them every few years. Others require much more care including removing and storing for winter and other considerations. Before you buy, make sure you know how much time you are willing to spend maintaining your garden and how much of a commitment each bulb is.

What Do I Like?

This is probably the most important consideration when choosing bulbs for your garden. You need to think about what you like and would like to grow. There are so many bulb options available, that you should have no shortage of possibilities. Remember, as you look at bulbs, choose ones that are firm, covered in their natural papery covering and not moldy, rotted or diseased. Choosing healthy bulbs is important if you want to achieve beautiful results in your garden.

Bulbs can make a great addition to any garden. If you haven’t planted bulbs before, take a little time to explore your options, as you really will have an endless supply of available choices.

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