Bulb plants refer to flowering plants that appear in both spring and summer. These include daffodils and tulips as heros of spring while dahlias and iris bloom at various times throughout summer.
Caring for these very different types of bulbs involves a basic knowledge of how a bulb works. All bulbs function as the home for leaves, stems and flowers.
Bulbs contain nutrients and serve as the root base for the plant.
How to Care for Bulb Plants
Learning how to care for bulb plants involves digging these roots out of the garden when necessary and treating them carefully as delicate future plants.
Step 1
Allow all bulb plants to grow leaves and stems and flower fully. Cut blooms for use in the home or retain these flowers on the plants for beautiful garden accents.
Step 2
Pinch off dead or unsightly flowers using pruning clippers to prevent the flower from forming seeds. Direct energy to the bulb rather than the flower with regular maintenance pruning of dead blooms. Clip the stem right behind the flower and throw the flower away.
Step 3
Let the bulb plant complete its blooming cycle. Do not remove dying foliage from the garden. Allow all leaves and stems to die and yellow naturally. Prune back after all foliage dies to about 2 inches above the garden surface. This will mark the location of the plant for removal and storage.
Step 4
Dig out around the plant about 5 inches to avoid hitting the bulb with the trowel. Scoop the bulb out of the soil carefully and shake off the dirt.
Step 5
Place pieces of newspaper in a cool, dry location. Lay the bulbs in rows on the newspaper, making sure that none touch. Leave the bulbs to dry for at least a week. This drying period prevents rotting from excess moisture during storage.
Step 6
Prepare a box or paper bag with shredded newspaper or dry peat moss. The box should be shallow enough to allow no more than three layers of bulbs.
Step 7
Place the dried bulbs into the storage container and make sure the bulbs don't touch. Tuck extra newspaper or peat moss around the bulbs to prevent damage during moving.
Step 8
Store the box or bag in a cool, dry location for the winter. Temperatures should range between 15 and 18 degrees and the humidity should stay low enough to prevent molding or damage to the bulbs.
You will find more information on all types of bulbs under our Colour and Scent pages.