Planting fall bulbs in Spring? (zone 7b) (spider, landscaping, grown)

[JanuaryGirl]

We moved to Charlotte, NC last August but weren't able to get landscaping done till now. We've prepped beds and have planted new shrubs and trees. However, I would like to plant some bulbs (tulips, etc.) that I know are normally planted in the fall.

What will happen if I plant the bulbs now? Will they sprout later in the spring, not next spring, or not at all? We are in zone 7b and probably don't have many, if any, cold days left.

I know I could buy potted bulbs that are already grown and plant them, however I'd rather not spend the extra money on that. The other option is to plant annuals for now and wait till the fall, but again I'd rather not spend money since ultimately I will be planting bulbs.

Thanks in advance, I know this is a basic question but any help is appreciated!

[JQ Public]

They probably won't do much this year, but since they will probably rot if left stored in the house your best bet is to plant them now. They may not sprout, but they will probably sprout and bloom next season. Another option is to chill them in the fridge and then force them to bloom indoors.

I hope that helps!

[azoria]

No, you can't plant tulips now. (that's why they're on sale....)

If you buy them, keep them in the fridge or in a cellar or in a cool dry place in the garage till fall. As long as the bulbs stay cool and dry they'll be fine till next fall when you put them in the ground.

[JanuaryGirl]

Hm, okay. Looks like it will be perennials for now, and I guess I need to figure out if there are any fall-blooming bulbs I want to plant now.

[BagongBuhay]

I've ordered from this site, and this is the second year my tulips have come up. I have not really ordered anything for fall blooming, but you can search the site and select your criteria for blooming season. We live in the same area, so we have the same soil type.

Brent And Becky's Bulbs - Search Results

[paperhouse]

Originally Posted by DNaomi

Hm, okay. Looks like it will be perennials for now, and I guess I need to figure out if there are any fall-blooming bulbs I want to plant now.

There are red spider lilies that are great here in the summer/fall. And fall blooming saffron crocuses are nice. I have both in my yard thanks to the lady that used to own the house.

If you do buy the tulips, don't plan on them coming back next year. Tulips in our area (the hybrids) are basically annuals. I planted 40 in the fall of 2007. I had really nice blooms in 2008. This year, Nada. Zilch, two leaves from 40 bulbs. Not a single bloom to be found.

[BagongBuhay]

Originally Posted by paperhouse

There are red spider lilies that are great here in the summer/fall. And fall blooming saffron crocuses are nice. I have both in my yard thanks to the lady that used to own the house.

If you do buy the tulips, don't plan on them coming back next year. Tulips in our area (the hybrids) are basically annuals. I planted 40 in the fall of 2007. I had really nice blooms in 2008. This year, Nada. Zilch, two leaves from 40 bulbs. Not a single bloom to be found.

You have to choose those that naturalize. My irises are back, and so are my tulips and hyacinths. Of course, the last snowfall had all but frozen the hyacinths. They are a little more puny than the ones I got while in the northeast, so I plan to put more bulb food and bone meal in the fall when I plant new ones. Just make sure that you don't trim the leaves off until the fall. They need those leaves to continue to nourish the bulbs underneath even when the blooms are spent.

[paperhouse]

Originally Posted by bibit612

You have to choose those that naturalize. My irises are back, and so are my tulips and hyacinths. Of course, the last snowfall had all but frozen the hyacinths. They are a little more puny than the ones I got while in the northeast, so I plan to put more bulb food and bone meal in the fall when I plant new ones. Just make sure that you don't trim the leaves off until the fall. They need those leaves to continue to nourish the bulbs underneath even when the blooms are spent.

I left them alone last year. I fed them last fall and summer. I got squat. I know the ones I bought were hybrids. They weren't the old fashioned tulips that spread and create clumps in woodland gardens like you see in magazines. A lot of people here treat them as annuals. They pull them out when the blooms fade and buy new every fall. My daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths have bloomed their heads off. The crocuses never got a chance to bloom last year. I didn't know what I was mowing down in early March when the grass needed a trim.

I know a lot more about bulbs this year.

[citydweller]

I planted hybrid tulips last fall which are coming up now. I wonder if I should I should lift them after all the foliage dies back and plant again in the fall.. do they just die after one blooming period?

[paperhouse]

Originally Posted by citydweller

I planted hybrid tulips last fall which are coming up now. I wonder if I should I should lift them after all the foliage dies back and plant again in the fall.. do they just die after one blooming period?

That is something I can't answer. Mine grew a few leaves this year and that was it. They should be blooming now. I have photos from last spring. On April 1, there were a LOT of tulips in that bed. The daffodils have already finished blooming this year too. *sigh*

Spring came just a tad too early for the bulbs.