Did you know that October is a good time to plant for spring as well as for indoor blooms?
I love gardening in October! The sunny, cool days are a gardener’s joy. Wherever there are spaces created by the removal of spent annuals or room near your perennials, that’s a perfect home for bulbs. Since the foliage of bulbs needs to be allowed to die back naturally in order to bloom the following year, I often plant bulbs behind my perennials. The bulbs will be seen over the emerging perennials while they are in bloom and then the fading foliage will be hidden by the full-size perennials.
I have a few tulips that are 25-plus years old. Somehow the rabbits have left them alone all these years, but the real reason that they are still thriving is that they don’t get watered regularly with the lawn. For success with tulips, keep in mind that they like dry summers.
Another personal favorite are grape hyacinths (Muscari). I prefer the white ones, but there are many varieties including pink, purple, purple with a white tip, etc. They are only 6” tall and in my gardens, the rabbits don’t eat them. Planted mixed in with crocuses, which the rabbits love, the crocuses survive as they “hide” among the less tasty. Grape hyacinths are also useful to plant above tulips, daffodils, etc. Because they send up grass-like foliage in the fall, they help you remember where you planted other bulbs like tulips or daffodils.
Since we’ve been in our home over 30 years, my gardening goals have changed a little. When selecting new plantings, I try to keep foremost in my mind the effect that plants have on pollinators – bees, birds, butterflies, etc. In early spring, migrating and emerging pollinators can be desperate looking for food. Grape Hyacinths, Crocus, Grecian Windflowers (Anemone Blanda) and Scilla are a few that bloom early. There’s pollen for the pollinators and you will enjoy the beauty of your gardening efforts. It’s a win-win!
At the October meeting of the Naperville Garden Club, we will be planting amaryllis (Hippeastrum) bulbs. Find details on our website, napervillegardenclub.org.
My amaryllis is more than 25 years old and is still gorgeous. Often referred to as “The Art and Soul of Winter,” there is a wide range of colors and flower forms. Some varieties have been specially bred to bloom during the holidays. Look for “Christmas Flowering.” amaryllis and impress your holiday guests with gorgeous, living decorations.
It’s not over yet, keep on gardening (and pulling weeds).