LADYBUG SAYS... IT'S TIME TO PLANT BULBS FOR SPRING GARDEN COLOR

Briskness in the air tells us that soon it will be autumn, and also tells us that it is time to plan and start planting flowering bulbs for a colorful spring garden.

Hardy spring flowering bulbs deserve a place in every garden, whether it is large or small. Those of you who have read this columns these 28 years know that it is repeated year after year "spring flowering bulbs, especially daffodils, are the best investment a gardener can make."

Most bulbs reward the gardener with increased blooms year after year as they multiply. For the gardener with limited time and budget, bulbs are a sound long term investment returning a wealth of pleasure for many years.

Bulbs that have a very short dormancy, such as daffodils, crocus and some of the very early minor bulbs such as snowdrops, Reticulata iris and Danforiase iris, should be planted in September. These bulbs have a short dormancy and root formation begins as soon as the bulb is planted and continues until the ground freezes.

A bulb is a botanical miracle. In one compact unit, adapted for life underground, it encases embryo leaves, stems and flowers in a storehouse of nutrients sufficient to sustain its growth cycle through a full season. Because of this unique structure all mature, healthy bulbs are capable of blooming their first season.

When we speak of daffodils, here comes that age-old question "What is the difference between a daffodil, a narcissus and a jonquil?"

Daffodil is the common name, Narcissus is the botanical name, and the two are interchangeable. Jonquil applies to only one specie with the small tubular foliage resembling that of a wild onion. The true jonquil has a bright yellow flower, sometimes more than one on a stem, and a sweet fragrance. It is an old, old variety and those here came from my grandmother's garden and are treasured.

Therefore, it is perfectly correct to refer to all of them as daffodils or "daffys" for short.

Daffodils are easy and practically foolproof to grow. They thrive in average, fertile, well-prepared and well drained soil in a sunny or semi-shady location. The color of the pinks is more pronounced if grown in partial shade.

Follow the complete cultural directions that accompany the bulb when purchased because there may be some variations according to varieties. Or a general rule is to plant them 4 to 6 inches deep and from 6 to 8 inches apart, for daffys.

There are two ways of planting spring flowering bulbs, a hole being dug for each bulb or a special bed made for them. If you prefer the latter, dig the soil to the required depth, spread a balanced fertilizer and add organic matter.

Daffodils may be planted in clumps in the perennial border and between shrubs, naturalized in open spaces, in fact, anywhere a breath of spring is wanted. Plant them anyway you choose, except in a straight line like a row of soldiers at attention.

Wherever they are planted, the foliage should be allowed to ripen naturally for at least four weeks from flowering (authorities used to say six) and no braiding, no typing and above all no cutting off of the untidy foliage. One can plant them among daylilies or other perennials so the unsightly foliage is not so prominent in appearance.

There are so many varieties of daffodils (more than 3,000) that space does not allow listing many, but catalogs are wonderful reference for blooming dates from late February until May.

One last note on landscaping with daffodils avoid mixing varieties in a clump. A more pleasing effect can be obtained by planting 3 to a dozen bulbs of one variety, especially the new ones of the ruffled pinks, bicolors and very large ones, or miniatures (my favorites). Daffys come in a surprising array of sizes and colors, which include yellow, white, orange and pink combinations.

Spring flowering crocus also may be used in any well drained soil. They can be planted in any shady area because most of their growth and bloom is completed before trees are heavily leafed out.

Without a doubt the most popular early bulb is the crocus, which ranges in height from 3 to 10 inches, and in an array of colors yellow, lavender, blue and striped combinations as well as white. The large flowering crocus, called "Dutch" crocus, bloom about two weeks later.

Along with the early blooming daffys and crocus, are two early iris only two inches in height, but perfectly formed. They are Danfordise, a bright yellow and Reticulate, in violet or bright blue.

These early spring flowering bulbs need to be put in early in the fall.

There is more to come later on tulips, hyacinths and other minor bulbs.