Many gardeners think that bulbs need to be planted in beds that aren’t full of plants or other places that aren’t full of plants. But this absolutely not the case. In fact, flowering bulbs are almost always found where they were born, growing with native grasses and ground covers.
Thus, bulbs are excellent companion plants that fit happily into existing flower beds of perennials and groundcovers. Bulbs and perennials work well together because they look more natural and they bloom at the right time. Spring blooms will wake up the beds early in the gardening season, and grasses and perennials will help hide the bulb foliage as the bulbs go dormant in the summer.
Bulb plants that bloom in the spring are one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to make our gardens flower longer. Beautiful flowers that bloom in the spring will not only cheer up gardeners who are tired of winter, but they also provide important food for native bees, honeybees, and butterflies that come out early. Really, the number of pleasing flower combinations is endless when mixing bulbs into the perennial garden.
One of the joys of gardening is seeing beautiful flowers bloom throughout the seasons. By planting spring flowering bulbs alongside perennials in your garden beds and borders, you can create captivating combinations that provide continuous color from early spring into summer and beyond. It’s an easy way to maximize the impact and extend the flowering display in your garden.
When combined thoughtfully, bulbs and perennials complement each other beautifully. The spring blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and alliums provide a bright pop of early color and bloom when the garden is just starting to wake up. As they fade, perennials begin to emerge and take over the show. The perennials’ leaves then help disguise the dying bulb foliage.
With some planning, you can create stunning plant pairings that transition seamlessly through spring, summer, and even into fall. Here are some tips for successfully planting bulbs and perennials together:
Choose Complementary Bloom Times
To ensure continuous color, choose bulbs and perennials with successive bloom periods that overlap and follow each other. For example, early spring bulbs like snowdrops and crocus can precede mid-spring bloomers like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Perennials that bloom in late spring and early summer such as salvia, iris, and poppies help pick up where the bulbs leave off.
You can also integrate some fall blooming bulbs like colchicum and autumn crocus to provide another round of color after summer perennials fade Planning bloom times will keep the display going for months
Combine Heights and Shapes
In addition to bloom times, consider the mature sizes and growth habits of bulbs and perennials when combining them. For visual interest, mix flower shapes and plant heights Choose tall, vertical perennials like delphinium and lupine to contrast with the round, orb-shaped flowers of allium bulbs Or pair low, mounding perennials like creeping phlox with towering tulips.
These varied shapes and heights provide interest and dimension. Arrange taller plants towards the back and shorter ones in front for balance.
Use Color for Impact
Carefully select bulb and perennial colors that complement or contrast with each other for dramatic effect. Familiar pairings like yellow tulips with purple iris are always a knockout. Or create exciting contrasts like orange asiatic lilies with cool blue salvia.
For harmonious blends, stick to analogous or monochromatic color schemes of reds with purples. For vibrancy, interplant contrasting or complementary colors like oranges with blues. Color pairs can set the tone for your whole garden.
Consider Foliage and Texture
It’s not all about the flowers – foliage and texture also affect combinations. For example, pair bulbs that go dormant early like tulips and daffodils with bushy, full perennials like daylilies that hide dying bulb leaves. Or contrast frilly, feathery perennials like ferns with the strong architectural leaves of allium bulbs.
These textural contrasts add year-round interest beyond just the bloom season Foliage colors like silvery artemisia or purple heuchera also enhance flower pairings
Choose the Right Site
When planning where to plant your bulb and perennial combinations, make sure the site meets the needs of both. Most require full sun (at least 6 hours/day) and well-draining soil. Waterlogged or heavily shaded sites won’t work well.
If planting in an existing garden bed, check for good drainage and amend soil with compost if needed. Pick a spot that bulbs and perennials can happily share.
Space and Interplant Mindfully
Aim to space bulbs and perennials close enough to intermingle but far enough apart to allow for growth. Around 6 inches between bulbs and a few feet between perennial clumps is usually sufficient. Avoid overcrowding.
When interplanting bulbs in an established perennial bed, carefully lift sections and replant perennials if needed to make room for bulbs. Place bulbs in between plants, or “leapfrog” them in groups among perennials. Mix them throughout the bed for a natural effect.
Plant Bulbs Properly
Bulb planting depth and orientation is key. Be sure to plant bulbs pointy-side-up at their recommended planting depths. Daffodils, for example, go 6 inches deep; tulips about 4-6 inches. Add bulb fertilizer or bone meal to the planting hole.
Cover bulbs with soil and water at planting time. Avoid disturbing them in spring when perennials are growing. Let foliage die down naturally after blooming.
Try Classic Combinations
Some tried and true bulb and perennial pairings include:
- Crocus, miniature daffodils, and creeping phlox or thyme
- Tulips and Aubrieta, Primula, or Irises
- Alliums with Salvia, Astilbe, or Catmint
- Daffodils and Hellebores or Heuchera
The options are endless! Use these classic combos as a starting point, then get creative with your own dazzling mixtures.
Extend the Bloom with Annuals
For even longer flower power, add some annuals like snapdragons or pansies to your bulb and perennial beds. These fast-growing annuals provide color between the spring bulbs and summer perennials. They fill any gaps and keep the show going strong.
Cut Flowers for Indoor Display
Don’t forget to pick some of the spring bulb and perennial flowers to display indoors! Trim a few stems and create pretty arrangements to enjoy inside. It’s a great way to appreciate this fleeting time when bulbs and perennials overlap in their bloom.
Plan Ahead for Success
Proper planning is needed to pull off beautiful bulb and perennial combinations. Sketch garden bed designs on paper first. Determine bloom times, heights, colors and site conditions. Order bulbs in fall and prep beds. Plant bulbs and perennials at their ideal times.
With some thoughtful preparation, your garden will transition seamlessly from one gorgeous flower display to the next.
Combine Bulbs and Perennials in Pots or Containers
You don’t need an in-ground garden to enjoy bulb and perennial pairings. Create stunning container combos by filling pots first with bulbs like tulips, daffodils or hyacinths. Later, as bulb flowers fade, insert summer blooming perennials, annuals or foliage plants in the pot.
Use complementary colors and vary heights. Keep pots well watered and fertilized. Rotate to prolong display. Reuse bulbs the following year in fresh containers.
Don’t Forget About Foliage
Some of the best companion plants for bulbs aren’t flowering perennials but ones grown for their showy or colorful leaves. Foliage fills space once bulbs have faded and adds striking form, contrast, and visual interest.
Some fabulous foliage pairings include:
- Bulbs with variegated Brunnera
- Yellow and green Hostas with purple Alliums
- Blue-toned succulents or ornamental grasses with orange tulips
Foliage sets off flowers beautifully while keeping garden beds looking full.
Naturalize for Multi-Season Impact
If you have a large area to fill, naturalize bulbs in sweeping drifts mixed with wildflowers or native perennials. Choose naturalizing bulbs like snowdrops, scilla, or species tulips that multiply over time.
Interplant with wild geranium, ferns, bloodroot and other natives. This creates a magical woodland-like display that evolves, unfurls, and reveals itself over weeks and seasons.
Layer it On
When it comes to bulbs and perennials, it’s hard to choose just one winning combination when so many work well together. So go ahead – layer several into your beds and borders for an ongoing layered effect.
Have drifts of daffodils give way to iris, ornamental alliums bridge into catmint, and later summer lilies transition to fall asters. The more combinations the merrier!
With some thoughtful plant choices and design, you can keep your garden looking fabulous not just for a few weeks, but for months on end. Follow these tips to successfully integrate spring bulbs and perennials together for a showstopping display.
How To Plant Bulbs Into A Perennial Garden
Planting bulbs into groundcovers is simple.
- It’s as easy as making a hole in the ground or a perennial groundcover mat and putting bulbs in it.
- Dig a hole the right depth with a bulb planter.
- Add some Yum Yum Mix to the fill dirt to make sure the bulbs are well fed when they come up in the spring.
Extend The Seasons Of Color In Your Garden
When making a list of bulbs to plant this fall, pick types that bloom at different times, such as early, mid, and late spring. The important thing is to start. You’ll be proud of yourself next spring for giving this idea a shot.
How to Plant Bulbs in Perennial Beds
FAQ
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