Locked inside the hard, seemingly lifeless “Dutch bulbs” are some of the most spectacular color producing flowers of the spring in North Georgia. Most of these spring-flowering bulbs prefer light shade to full sunshine, and they should be planted where they will receive six to ten hours of direct light each day.

The majority of bulb plants prefer a moist, medium sandy loam that doesn’t stay wet and sticky after heavy rain or dry out too quickly. Good drainage is absolutely essential, and the floriculture department at New Leaf Landscape Services can determine the best places to plant spring-flowering bulbs.

Soil should be tested to determine its condition and readiness to support healthy blooming bulbs. The soil shouldn’t be worked when it’s too wet, and we incorporate any soil amendments at least a foot deep for optimum results. Generally, bulbs are graded and sold according to size, with larger bulbs producing larger and/or multiple flowers, although the largest bulbs aren’t necessarily required to achieve the best landscape effect.

In Georgia, spring-flowering bulbs can be planted from October through late December. We typically plant bulbs in late November for the best springtime results, so now is the time to confer with our design team to plan for a beautiful blooming season in spring.