Hiding Fading Spring Bulbs: A Comprehensive Guide for Gardeners
Spring bulbs are a welcome sight after a long winter, but once they start to fade, they can leave your garden looking untidy. Fortunately, there are a number of companion plants that you can grow to hide fading spring bulbs and keep your garden looking its best.
Choosing the Right Companion Plants
When choosing companion plants for spring bulbs, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Size: The companion plants should be tall enough to cover the fading bulb foliage, but not so tall that they block the sun from the bulbs.
- Bloom time: The companion plants should bloom at the same time as the spring bulbs, or shortly after, to provide continuous color in your garden.
- Growing conditions: The companion plants should have similar growing conditions to the spring bulbs, such as soil type, sunlight, and water requirements.
Perennial Companion Plants
Perennial companion plants are a great choice for hiding spring bulbs because they will come back year after year. Some good options include:
- Daylilies: Daylilies are a good choice because they have small leaves early in spring that won’t cover flowering bulbs. They bloom in summer so that you get both spring and summer flowers in the same area. Finally, once they fully leaf out, the foliage will cover fading bulb leaves.
- Hostas: Hostas are another good choice because they leaf out later than bulbs, so they won’t cover the flowers. Many varieties of hostas have a large spread, so once fully leafed, they provide good cover for dying bulb foliage.
- Heartleaf Brunnera: Heartleaf brunnera produces pretty little blue flowers around the same time as spring bulbs, providing a nice combination of colors and textures. Once both plants are done blooming, brunnera’s variegated leaves cover and hide the fading foliage of the bulbs while providing additional visual interest.
Annual Companion Plants
Annual companion plants are a good choice for hiding spring bulbs if you want to change the look of your garden each year. Some good options include:
- Catmint: Catmint is a perennial that puts on a show in early summer with abundant flower spikes in lavender, pink, or white. Catmint blooms in early summer as bulbs are fading. It provides a showy distraction and good coverage for yellowing bulb foliage.
- Stonecrop: Stonecrop is a great companion for spring bulbs because it starts to emerge from the ground just as the bulbs are finishing their bloom cycle. Once the bulbs have faded, stonecrop produces a mound of dense foliage to hide them.
- Coleus: Coleus is a popular annual in many areas for its striking and colorful foliage. Put in coleus around your spring bulbs. They will grow as the bulbs fade, providing pretty coverage.
Tips for Planting and Caring for Companion Plants
When planting companion plants for spring bulbs, be sure to:
- Plant the companion plants close to the bulbs, but not so close that they crowd them out.
- Water the companion plants regularly, especially during the first growing season.
- Fertilize the companion plants according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Deadhead the companion plants after they have finished blooming to encourage new growth.
By following these tips, you can keep your spring bulbs looking their best all season long.
