Growth cycle of perennials

Flower bulbs that bloom every year are called perennial flower bulbs. After they bloom, these flower bulbs should remain undisturbed in the ground so that their foliage (stem and leaves) is given the time to wither back and the bulbs under the ground can prepare for the next growing season. In other words, they follow the same growth cycle as perennials. Some even increase their numbers because the bulbs multiply underground. How fun is that?

Bulb varieties

There is so much choice in perennial flower bulbs, like cheerful Balkan anemones (Anemone blanda), frivolous glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa), fun bluebells (Hyacinths) and richly flowering striped squill (Puschkinia). Perennial flower bulbs that multiply include serene snowdrops (Galanthus), colourful daffodils (Narcissus), blue-coloured squills (Scilla) and fragrant spring snowflakes (Leucojum vernum).

Planting

Plant perennial bulbs in autumn if you want to enjoy them in spring. Be sure to do this before the first frost. Give them a place among other perennials in the border, in planting boxes, in your lawn, between ground covers and under deciduous shrubs and hedges. If you plant them in the grass, wait until the foliage turns yellow before mowing. The bulbs draw nutrition from the leaves to prepare for the next year.