Flower bulbs are fleshy underground lumps of leaves, stems, or roots. Some bulbs are more accurately called corms or tubers. Tubers and corms are both sections of thickened stem, while tubers also have modified buds. Tubers, corms, and bulbs will all grow into full plants. There is a vast variety of bulbs available, allowing a great range of flower shapes and colors. Planting a variety of bulbs in your garden is an easy way to create a beautiful array of colorful blooms.

Many beautiful flowers are planted as bulbs. Gardeners enjoy planting bulbs because they produce so many flowers, with very little care or effort required. Most bulbs bloom very early in the season, with some producing flowers in early March.

When planting your bulbs, they should be planted about 3 to 6 inches deep. The larger the bulb, the deeper it should be planted. Use a spade or shovel to dig a small hole in the soil, then place your bulb in the hole, and replace the dirt. If you are planting a bulb in poor soil, consider adding bone meal or better soil in the hole. This can help your bulbs grow better.

Every spring, you should fertilize your flower bulbs with manure or chemical fertilizer. However, keep fresh manure away from the roots or the bulb itself, instead working the fertilizer well into the soil. While your plant is blooming, you may wish to cut off most of the buds, so that the plant can devote its energy to making the remaining flowers as beautiful as they can be. You must water your bulbs regularly. If your soil is generally quite try, punch a few holes around the plant, so that the moisture can easily make its way to the roots.

If you wish to have early flowering bulbs even on your small backyard, consider many different varieties of tulips which blossom as early as April. Other bulbs which usually flower early in the season include narcissus, grape hyacinth, snowdrop, winter aconite, iris, and crocus. Because most gardeners and landscape designers try to time their plants so that they always have flowers blooming throughout the season, early-flowering bulbs are an excellent choice.

For bulbs which will flower in mid-summer, try Autumn crocus, Gladiolus, Cluster amaryllis, lilies, bearded iris, dahlias, peonies, Summer hyacinth, Calla lilies, or Mariposa. All of these flowers can add beauty and interest in your garden during the season when you probably spend the most time in your garden.