Bulbs look more natural if they are planted in groups rather than rows. I like to plant at least six bulbs of a kind or color in each group.
Bulbs look good in front of shrubs. If the lawn grows right up to shrubs, you can easily remove a foot or two. I like to plant bulbs along a driveway, but not next to sidewalks. A bright pocket of bulbs is attractive next to entries. Bulbs can be planted under ground covers. Just dig holes at appropriate intervals. They will come right through the ground cover.
Bulbs can be planted in almost any container. I plant bulbs in some of the same tubs I use for annuals. Bulbs are spaced about 3 to 4 inches apart in the ground. In containers they can be almost touching to give greater impact.
Cooling containers
Containers can be moved around or even brought inside. You can give containers a 12-week cool treatment at refrigerator temperature (40 degrees) and bring them inside to finish blooming. I like to plant a pot or two in mid-September, mid-October and mid-November for bloom at Thanksgiving, Christmas and late January. I place them in an extra refrigerator used for summer drinks and snacks. Keep soil moist.
I have also had good luck placing planted pots in a shady place outdoors to develop naturally. I get varied blooming times by planting different kinds of bulbs.
The best adapted bulbs for our climate are daffodils. Besides yellow, daffodils come in bicolors with white or orange. The miniatures are best for containers although almost any variety can be planted in large containers. Choose the shorter varieties of tulips for containers. There is a whole range of other bulbs including shorter ones for the outer edge of containers. Hyacinths are very fragrant.
Plant bulbs in containers so their tips are just barely covered. This gives them extra soil depth for their roots. Cover bulbs with an inch or 2 of soil when planting in the ground.
