Laidback Gardener Tip of the Day

Grape Hyacinths Helps Locate Other Bulbs

One problem gardeners have as they build up the bloom in their flower beds year after year is trying to remember where they planted spring-blooming bulbs the previous years. After all, at fall planting season, the bulbs from previous years are fully dormant, buried in the ground, and show no sign of their presence. So where exactly did you plant those hyacinths and tulips last year? After all, you don’t want to dig them up while planting this year’s choice of bulbs.

One way to remember where each cluster of bulbs is planted is to surround it with a circle of grape hyacinth bulbs. Grape hyacinths (Muscari spp.) have the curious habit of producing foliage in the fall even if they don’t bloom until spring. When you see circles of narrow, linear, bluish green leaves (see photo) start to pop up in your fall garden, you’ll know there are other bulbs planted in the center and will therefore know where not to dig.