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Naturalizing Bulbs In The Lawn

Naturalizing, Spring Bulbs, Crocus, Narcissus, Scilla, Galanthus, Anemones

Naturalizing bulbs, Bulbs that come back, Perennial Bulbs, Perennial Crocus, Perennial Narcissus, Perennial Scilla, Perennial Galanthus, Perennial Anemones, Snowdrops, Naturalizing Daffodils, Bulbs in Lawn

Naturalizing bulbs is a terrific way to brighten up lawns. A surprisingly large number of perennial bulbs do well in grass, such as snowdrops (Galanthus), crocuses (Crocus), squills (Scilla), checkered lilies (Fritillaria meleagris), and plenty other charming bulbs. Left undisturbed in the ground, they will emerge again every spring but will also gently multiply as long as they receive the right light conditions and are planted in soil with the proper drainage.

  • For great impact, create natural-looking plantings, and do not space your bulbs evenly. Toss them gently on the lawn, planting them wherever they fall for a natural look. Most bulbs look their best when grown in swathes and informal drifts. Never forget to leave room for natural increase.
  • Choose a limited palette of colors and try to mass them. Do not try to intermingle too many colors or your planting would look unnatural and confusing.

Planting perennial bulbs in lawns requires some adjustments to the mowing regime.

  • Since lawns need mowing, the choice is mostly restricted to bulbs blooming in early-mid spring or in the fall. Resist the urge to make the first cut after the bulbs have finished flowering. Cutting down bulb foliage before properly ripening will deprive the bulb of much-needed nourishment and make for a poor second-year display. To ensure a profuse flowering next year, the lawn should not be cut until six weeks after flowering is finished. The later the bulbs bloom, the longer you need to wait.
  • if you plant colchicums and fall crocuses in the grass, you must stop mowing your lawn in late summer.
  • Cut the lawn fairly short in late fall to allow your spring bulbs to peep neatly up from under the ground.

Guide Information

Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Genus Colchicum, Crocus, Galanthus, Scilla
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit

1 - Pretty Bulbs For Your Lawn

2 – Plant your Bulbs Properly

  • Scatter your bulbs randomly over your lawn and plant them where they fall. As these bulbs will be in place for several years, check that the bulbs are not very close to each other, as overcrowding will reduce flowering.
  • Dig planting holes with a trowel or bulb planter. The holes need to be about three times the bulb’s height (shallow planting tends to weaken the bulbs because they are more prone to drying out).
  • Plant the bulbs with their points facing up and their roots facing down.
  • Break up some of the soil from the plug of turf removed with the trowel or bulb planter, and use this to backfill around the bulb once it is in the hole. Tamp the surface gently.
  • Replace the turf on the top of the hole and ensure it is level with the surrounding lawn surface.

More on Gardenia

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Genus Colchicum, Crocus, Galanthus, Scilla
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Crocus Galanthus (Snowdrop)

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