Shopping for color

September/October 2007

The bulbs are back

By David Ross

Haven’t you always wanted to apply the “set it and forget it” phrase of TV infomercial fame to gardening? We’re constantly on the lookout for the perfect, no-care plants. Well, the closest thing to that perfect plant will be arriving in your local nursery this September.

Narcissus are the most popular care-free bulb available in fall. White and yellow flowers are the most common, but pinks, creams, reds and all the hues in between are now available.

Select the largest, firmest bulbs available as soon as they arrive in the store. But if you live in a warm fall area such as Southern California, don’t plant them until the soil cools around October and November. They will come up and bloom in late winter in mild winter areas and spring elsewhere. They will multiply, so every year you will be able to enjoy more of them.

Narcissus

Another easy one is Leucojum or snowflake. It will bloom with clusters of small, white, bell-shaped flowers in spring. It, too, will multiply, increasing your enjoyment year after year for free.

Both of these bulbs will do best planted where they get morning sun. They will tolerate more, but the blooms will last longer under the mottled shade from a tree or some other source. After planting, water them well just once. If rains arrive on schedule, they will be fine with no additional water.

Just plant them and forget them--until they bloom--then enjoy them!

David Ross is a horticulturalist and manager for Walter Andersen Nursery in San Diego and Poway.