It’s that time of the year! Fall is the perfect season to go apple picking, enjoy some pumpkin pie, and plant your spring bulbs!
Spring bulbs — or “hardy” bulbs — are bulbs that require a period of cold temperatures in order to break out of their dormancy. Planting them in the fall gives them plenty of time to wake up for the springtime so you can have a blooming, beautiful garden! For the best results, bulbs should be planted when the temperature is around 50-55° or lower, but not quite freezing.
Lisa Johnson, a Horticulture Educator with the UW Division of Extension, recommends planting bulbs “two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall.” If your bulbs are larger than a golf ball, plant them around 6-8” deep. Any bulbs smaller than a golf ball should be planted between 3-4” deep.
While there are several different tips and tricks you can use for more successful bulb planting (check out some of our past blog posts), sometimes the hardest thing is figuring out which bulbs to buy! Thankfully, we’ve put together a Spring Bulb Personality Quiz to give you a few ideas.
Tally up your total number of As, Bs, Cs, and Ds for a few bulb recommendations for early, mid, and late spring!
How do your friends and family describe you?
A: Creative and kind
B: Smart and sophisticated
C: Friendly and welcoming
D: Funny and energetic
What’s your go-to restaurant order?
A: Pasta
B: Steak
C: Salad
D: Burger
Besides gardening, what’s your favorite hobby?
A: Drawing, painting, or anything that’s creative
B: Curling up with a good book
C: Spending time outdoors, like hiking or camping
D: Running, going to the gym, and anything that’s active
What was your favorite Grand Concert at the Garden this summer?
A: The Caribbean Chillers – a Jimmy Buffet tribute band
B: Alive Again – a Chicago tribute band
C: Slippery When Wet – a Bon Jovi tribute band
D: Bee Gees Now – a Bee Gees tribute band
What’s your preferred beverage to sip throughout the morning?
A: Coffee
B: Tea
C: Sparkling water
D: An energy drink
At a get-together with friends, what are you bringing?
A: A handmade charcuterie board
B: A bottle of wine
C: Food to share, like pasta salad or a pizza
D: All of my favorite board games
What music genre do you listen to most?
A: Rock or indie
B: Classical or jazz
C: Country or folk
D: Pop or electronic
What’s your favorite place to explore at the Garden?
A: The Trellis Gift Shop – I love handmade creations!
B: The quieter areas, like the Herb Garden and Shade Garden!
C: The beautiful florals in the Rose Garden and Oval Garden!
D: The exciting Children’s Garden! It’s always so fun!
Mostly As
You’re creative, imaginative, and aren’t afraid to pave your own path! You stand out in a subtle way, like these bulbs that will bring a touch of whimsy to your garden:
Early spring: Glory of the snow
Mid spring: Checkered lilies
Late spring: Alliums
Mostly Bs
You’re elegant and thoughtful, with an appreciation for a well-planned garden. With these bulbs, you can create a beautifully balanced space that’s serene, graceful, and just what you’ve been dreaming of:
Early spring: Snowdrops
Mid spring: Hyacinths
Late spring: Irises
Mostly Cs
You’re cheerful and dependable, bringing a positive attitude to any situation! For a spring garden that’s as joyful and reliable as you are, you might want to consider these bright varieties:
Early spring: Crocuses
Mid spring: Daffodils
Late spring: Bluebells
Mostly Ds
You’re bold and playful, and like to be a little unpredictable at times! If you want a garden full of show-stoppers (even if it takes a little more work), try these jaw-dropping bulbs:
Early spring: Winter aconite
Mid spring: Tulips
Late spring: Foxtail lilies
