Hi All, I have some planters on my patio (that are planted for this year) that I would like to replant in the fall with bulbs for next year. I would like to plant combinations of bulbs that at would start early (eg. crocuses) and run late to late summer/autumn. Could someone advise me in this or direct me to some internet resources that may help me? Frankly, I don’t even know if this can be done, or if it can be done, what keywords to start my search with. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Michael
You might want to find the book "Seasonal Bulbs: Guides for the Northwest Gardener" by Ann Lovejoy: "guide to growing bulbs in the Northwest-not only during the spring but all year long". A quick look at one of the online bookstores has a bunch of used books for sale under $5. Here's some summer- and fall-flowering bulbs from Clemson University Extension in South Carolina. Many, though not all, of the plants on the list will survive here. I'd search for "season-flowering bulbs" and replace season with spring, summer, etc...
On the other hand... I have most of my bulbs in containers that I put away for the summer because once blooming is over, they are butt-ugly. Having nice summer bulbs coming up through the dying foliage of spring bulbs just doesn't do it for me. I took the bulbs out of the flowerbeds in the first place because of the same effect; the dying foliage spoiled the perennial-emerging phase.
My plan was that after the foliage dies I would cut it off in order to keep it attractive. But I agree, 6 dead daffs hanging over the edge of a pot are not the nicest things I could have on my deck! lol
