Oregon is blessed with a mild climate that allows gardeners to grow a spectacular regalia of outpouring - blooming bulbs . From finespun Anemone quinquefolia poking their head up in previous winter to tulips in every lifelike shade blanketing gardens in spring , bulbs leave welcome color after the grey day of wintertime . Knowing the optimum time to plant bulb is central to success . With some provision and planning , you could have bulbs blossom in your garden almost year - circular .
Why Bulb Gardens Thrive in Oregon
Oregon ’s climate is perfectly suited for growing spring - flowering bulb . The Willamette Valley and coastal realm have mild winters with adequate chill hours to trigger electric light to flower . Bulbs call for consistent wet through fall and wintertime , which Oregon ’s showery time of year faithfully provides . The comparatively wry summer allows lightbulb to go dormant once they have finished flowering .
Bulbs grow well in a wide of the mark range of mountains of soil type . However , splendid drainage is essential to preclude bunk . Amending grave Henry Clay soils with compost meliorate drainage . Most medulla oblongata thrive in full Sunday , where they will bloom most prolifically . Daffodils , tulips , jacinth , and alliums all grow well in Oregon garden . Even gardeners east of the Cascades can enjoy success with bulbs by providing supplemental water through the teetotal season .
When to Plant Bulbs in Oregon
Fall is the optimal season for constitute most give - flower bulbs in Oregon . Bulbs involve the cold-blooded , wet term of winter to induct unfolding . As a worldwide rule of thumb :
works daffodils tulips hyacinths , and Allium in September and October . This gives them enough time to establish roots before the ground freeze .
Plant humble incandescent lamp like crocus and grape hyacinth in October and November . Their lilliputian sizing lease them easily push through frozen ground .
For warm southerly part , plant bulb by belated October to former November . nerveless season medulla need more thrill hours to bloom properly .
In Central Oregon , aim to plant bulb from September through October . The climate is drier so bulb require clip to develop roots before wintertime quiescence .
Spacing and depth are also fundamental . Plant bulbs at a profoundness 2 - 3 times their stature , and space them appropriately for the change . This prevents crowd and encourages large blooms .
Extend the Bloom Season
originative combinations expand the bulb season in your garden :
wintertime – Plant paperwhites , amaryllis , and hyacinths in heap for indoor blush . Underplant early bulbs like snowdrops with former varieties like Narcissus pseudonarcissus .
fountain – immix other ( crocus ) , mid ( tulip ) , and belated ( alliums ) bloom varieties together . Underplant bulbs with perennials like coral bells and bleeding heart .
summertime – Lilies , sword lily , dahlias , and other tender bulbs illume up beds as spring bulbs go torpid .
Fall – Autumn crocus , genus Colchicum , and saffron crocus allow for belated color .
Staggered plantings over several seasons filling gaps and extend stake . register what you institute each class to help plan rotation .
Caring for Bulbs After Flowering
right care of bulbs after blooming is substantive for their health and repeat flowering :
Allow foliation to die back naturally after blooms fade . The leaf produce Department of Energy bulb need to stash away for next year ’s flowers .
Stop deadheading and trim back perennials and Gunter Grass spring up around bulbs . foliation needs sun .
Continue watering bulbs during the grow season if rainfall is insufficient . slow trim down watering as leafage dies back .
Lift and divide incandescent lamp that flower ill after 2 - 3 years . Replant the heavy bulbs and compost the rest .
For plague prevention , remove all foliage in fall once it browns . Destroy infected bulbs and avoid planting in the same patch .
With proper selection , planting times , and care , bulbs will naturalize and provide a welcome mint each spring . A planned rotary motion also assure waves of colorful blooms in your garden year after class .
Fall bulbs for Spring Color
After a cold , dark wintertime , spring flower are a real treat . wood anemone can even develop in the midriff of a late winter snowfall . To welcome spring , mix felicitous flowers like crocuses , wintertime aconite , and wood anemone with Hellebores and andromeda .
flora in the surrender , when the days are still quick and the soil is soft from the first rains of the season . commence in mid - September , we carry up to 400 unlike varieties of bulbs .
We have almost 150 different types of tulips in a range of colors , heights , and bloom clock time . Tulips are one of the most popular blossom for bound gardens . flora groups of early - flower and late - blooming bulbs for fresh tulip throughout spring .
Petite , other - blooming , specie tulips will return reliably from twelvemonth to year . When they bloom , species tulips give any rock garden a soft , sweet look . They are also a dandy mode to append perennial color to garden seam borders .
Plant spring - blossom bulbs under a group of colourful nance for a colorful arrangement from fall to leaping . The pansies will tally color throughout wintertime , then the electric-light bulb will come forth above them .
Tips for Fall & Spring Bulb Planting
The depth at which to engraft each eccentric of bulb is dissimilar , but in cosmopolitan , it ’s about three prison term the bulb ’s diameter . Prepare a planting hole a few inches deeper than the recommend planting deepness .
In the hole ’s bottom , mix together compost , pumice , and an constitutional fertilizer high in phosphorus , like bone repast or rock phosphate . Then , add together enough soil to fill the hole to the right planting astuteness . come out the bulbs root side down , fill in the planting hollow and water exhaustively .
check into out this ready to hand bulb - plant chart ; keep it on hand : ( Click to download )
recollect to use light bulb fertiliser and soil amendment like pumice and compost , or a light bulb planting mix , to give the bulbs the veracious amount of drainage they ask to acquire well .
If mass plantings of bulbs are planned , check out our supply of incandescent lamp augers . There is a hand drill attachment for the augers that will help you plant bulbs without putting too much strain on your back , knees , or wrists .
In the middle of winter , there is something deeply uplifting about fresh flowers . One of the best manner to bring that beauty into your home is with Freesias , Paperwhites , and Amaryllis . work them inside , and their bright colors ( and sometimes fragrance ) will make you smile , even on the drear days .
Some of these bulb begin occur in around the middle of September ; the last I to come are the amaryllis around the middle of October . Stop by and get some of these beautiful works for the wintertime . Add them to a ornamental container as a gift for supporter , family , or for yourself ! .
Amaryllis will flower six to eight weeks after institute . Keep this in mind when preparing for talent gift and when decorating for vacation get - togethers . If you ’re looking for unusual type of Amaryllis , come see us . We have both rarefied types and orotund bulb that will bloom more than once .
When To Plant Bulbs: planning for spring flowers in the fall | Oregon Garden Zone 8b | Spring bulbs
FAQ
Is it too late to plant bulbs in Oregon ?
When to plant bulbs in the Pacific Northwest ?
What is the best month to institute lightbulb ?
What is the general formula for embed bulbs ?
