The Norfolk Library
 

Norfolk Library Associates Bulb Sale

Planting Instructions

Remove any outer bag (especially plastic) immediately. Open the inner bags, discard any packing material and check your order. Take care not to damage any sprouts. Let us know right away if you find a problem.

Bulb pictures have been retained on the library web site for your reference.

Tulips, Daffodils, Chionodoxa

Plant most spring blooming bulbs as soon as possible after the soil cools down (usually late October) in a well-drained, fertile soil; bulbs prefer a neutral soil (neither acid nor alkaline). Most prefer full sun, although many will accept some dappled shade. Cover with 2-3 inches of loose mulch after the ground freezes to help retain moisture and to prevent heaving. Do not plant in a poorly drained place; your bulbs will probably rot. If you use fertilizer when planting, dust it over the ground as a top dressing to prevent root burn, and repeat in the spring when sprouts emerge. Let leaves die down naturally, then remove them. If you store your bulbs before planting, open the bags or boxes right away for ventilation, and keep them in a cool, dry place out of the sun. But do not hold them so long that they shrivel.

Snowdrops (Galanthus)

Plant in late summer or early fall, in shade or partial sun, 2-4 inches apart and 3-4 inches deep. Plant in rich, well drained soil and do not allow to dry out while they are growing.

If you allow them to go to seed, they will naturalize if they like where they are planted. If planted among low ground covers, such as periwinkle, their blossoms will stand out well.

Colchicums (fall blooming)

Plant in full sun to part shade, 4-6 inches apart and 4-6 inches deep. Plant in any well drained garden soil as soon as you receive them so they will bloom this fall. Thick shiny leaves will appear in the spring.

Take care in choosing a planting spot so that the large leaves will not hide smaller spring-flowering bulbs; try planting them among hostas (allow for hostas’ full expansion). They may also be planted alone: in a ring around a small deciduous tree or shrub, for example.

Fall-blooming crocus

Plant in full sun, 2-3 inches apart and 2-3 inches deep. Plant in any well drained garden soil as soon as you receive them so they will bloom this fall. Their typical crocus leaves will come up in the spring.

OUTDOOR PLANTING GUIDE: Planting depth, spacing and exposure to sun

The planting depths and spacings below depend on the size of the bulb. For example, note that for alliums, which vary widely in size according to variety, the table cites ranges.

Alliums 4"/6"-8" 3"-4"/8"-10" Full 24"-36"
Chionodoxa 4" 3"-5" Full-partial 5"-6"
Crocus, fall 2"-3" 2"-3" Full 4"
Colchicums 4"-6" 4"-6"" Full-partial 4"-8"
Daffodils 4"-6" 5"-6" Full-partial 5"-20"
Tulips 6"-8" 6" Full 14"-30"

BULBS FOR INDOOR PLANTING: Paperwhites

Place bulbs about 1 inch apart and cover 2/3 of the bulb with stones or completely with soil. Water and place them in a light, cool place until the foliage stands 3 to 4 inches high. Then place them in a sunny location at room temperature and keep them well watered. They will bloom in 4 to 6 weeks.

Amaryllis

Plant one bulb per 6-inch pot (1 inch diameter larger than the bulb) using sterile potting soil in a pot with drainage. Soil should cover about 3/4 of the bulb, leaving rest uncovered. Press soil firmly around bulb, water lightly and place in direct sunlight at room temperature. A bit of bottom heat will help if bulb is slow to break dormancy. Water sparingly until bulb starts to flower, then slowly increase amount.

To hold from year to year, cut off dead flowers, let stalk die naturally and keep leaves growing, preferably in full sun. Stop watering in mid July. In mid October cut back dead foliage and water lightly to start again.

Note that there are two different types of amaryllis, with different times until blooming. South African (Christmas flowering) amaryllis bloom in 4 to 6 weeks. Royal Dutch Hybrids take 8 to 12 weeks; double and miniature Dutch hybrids may be a bit faster.