Caring for Bulbs
Naturalized bulbs and those left in a border for many years will eventually need dividing to prevent overcrowding, which would lead to deteriorating results. Lift large clumps when the leaves have just died back, or any time when the bulbs are dormant. Separate the clump into smaller pieces and replant. You do not have to separate into individual bulbs.
NATURALIZING LARGE BULBS
1 To create a natural effect, scatter the bulbs on the grass and plant them where they fall. Make a hole for each, roughly three times their own depth, using either a trowel or a bulb planter, which pulls out a neat plug of grass and soil. Insertion will be easier if the ground is moist rather than dry.
2 Place a bulb in the hole. Crumble some soil from the bottom of the plug and let it fall around the bulb to make sure it will not be left in a pocket of air. Press the plug back into position.
NATURALIZING SMALL BULBS
1 For small bulbs and corms it is sometimes easier to lift and then replace the grass. Use a spade to slice beneath the grass, then roll it back for planting.
2 Loosen the soil with a fork, and work in a slow-acting fertilizer such as bonemeal. Scatter the bulbs randomly as a uniform pattern will look unnatural in grass. Small ones can be left on the surface; larger ones are best buried slightly.
3 Aim to cover the bulbs with twice their own depth of soil under the grass. Roll back the grass, firm it well with your hands and water thoroughly.
NATURALIZING LARGE BULBS
1 To create a natural effect, scatter the bulbs on the grass and plant them where they fall. Make a hole for each, roughly three times their own depth, using either a trowel or a bulb planter, which pulls out a neat plug of grass and soil. Insertion will be easier if the ground is moist rather than dry.
2 Place a bulb in the hole. Crumble some soil from the bottom of the plug and let it fall around the bulb to make sure it will not be left in a pocket of air. Press the plug back into position.
NATURALIZING SMALL BULBS
1 For small bulbs and corms it is sometimes easier to lift and then replace the grass. Use a spade to slice beneath the grass, then roll it back for planting.
2 Loosen the soil with a fork, and work in a slow-acting fertilizer such as bonemeal. Scatter the bulbs randomly as a uniform pattern will look unnatural in grass. Small ones can be left on the surface; larger ones are best buried slightly.
3 Aim to cover the bulbs with twice their own depth of soil under the grass. Roll back the grass, firm it well with your hands and water thoroughly.
