The heat and dry period put a fast end to the bulb show in late May. Now what?
Let your bulb foliage “ripen” or dry out in the summer heat, then remove it when it turns brown. This is how the bulbs photosynthesize and build up energy for next spring’s bloom. We have been scratching in bulb fertilizer around the declining foliage as an aid to future growth. Tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils can be deadheaded now. Avoid irrigating the spots where bulbs grow, as they prefer to bake in the dry heat of summer. You may want to interplant perennials that prefer these conditions as companions to help hide the declining foliage of your bulbs. Daylily and daffodils are just one combination that works well.
If you’re interested in adding more bulbs, please contact Priscilla and Laura now <phw@seedlingspecialist.com> This is the perfect time to plan additions for our upcoming late summer bulb order. We can also divide or transplant overcrowded stands of bulbs now, while we know where to find them!
