Planting my Flower Garden

LuAnnH

Planting my Flower Garden

LuAnnH

I just moved into a new house this year that has a beautiful box in front of the house for a flower garden.  The previous owner tried to work on the flower box but it really needs some work.  She does have some bulbs in the ground that just came up.  Beautiful tulip blubs.  Does anyone know anything about these.  If I am correct there is a certain time of the year you can dig up the bulb and seperate them because they multiply together.  Seperate them and replant them so the flowers are fuller the next year.  Is this true?  I don't want to ruin what is there but I have about 8 groups of multicolored tulips that are bunched in different parts of the flower box.  Anyone here who can help?

snowyday

I'm pretty sure it's in the fall that you separate the bulbs, not before then.  Hope I'm right, it's been awhile. What are you going to plant in the flowerbox annuals.  I want to get some ice pansies they really are beautiful and hardy, and easy to take care of all season.

Bugs

LuAnn,

Most tulips don't multiply so they don't need to be divided.  Daffodils do, however, and last for years!  Bunnies love tulips, dislike daffodils.  If you want to move tulips to a different location, wait until the greens die off and then dig them up and replant them.

Always wait for the greens to die on their own as this gives the bulb it's energy for next season.

Enjoy!  I am so jeolous...dumbunnies got my tulips last year (and what they didn't get from above, a gopher got from below)  Besides, we still have snow!

Bugs

wishiwere

Yes, fall is the time.  Be especially careful not to remove the folliage as that's where the bulb will get its energy for next years bloom.  Best thing is next fall, to dig them up, separate and plant right away.  Also, make sure you put some markers in there where they are with the color on them, so in the fall you'll remember.  Otherwise, you'll be wondering what color was where or where exactly they are located as they die back to the bulb remember.

wishiwere

Oh bugs!  I was so happy to see a hawk got about 4 of our 5-6 bunnies this winter!  For that reason!  They love tulips, hosta and any other tender thing in the spring! 

Texgirl

If the box is large enough to offer plenty of protection ( enough dirt all around...) you shouldn't have to did them up each season. Once they become too prolific in that area or too crowded,then u can dig someand place elsewhere.

Verbena are often perinials that trail and hang over your box. Lantana too ,but they make me itch.

This months BHG magazine has a whole section on planting in pots and boxes..check it out.

LuAnnH

thanks for your help ladies.  I knew I would find the answers here

mke

I'm no expert but as I understand it there are two main types of tulips.  Species tulips do multiply and should be divided occasionally. They are shorter and smaller, our favorite is Tulipa tarda.  Then there are the hybrid tulips, Darwin hybrids are the most common.  In my experience these last a few years and then sort of fade away.  You can dig them up and carefully separate and replant, but I didn't have much luck with doing it.  The squirrels don't seem to find the species tulips as tasty as the others - an added bonus.

Good luck with it.