Hi Everyone!
Thanks for being here. Even though it’s the first week in October (how is this even possible?!) and your mind is probably on all things fall, Halloween, and harvest, the spring season should be on your radar if you are an avid gardener or lover of all things pretty.
Fall is the season for layers: knit sweaters and Detroit Lions sweatshirts, beanies and scarves, and it’s also the time to begin layering your garden over the bulbs you’ve planted. “Layers on layers on layers,” are what Floral Bar owner Leah emphasizes are best for your perennial garden. Add a nice layer of dirt over the bulbs you plant – a makeshift blanket, if you will – and adding a thin layer of mulch on top is ideal. Don’t be alarmed of the cooler weather – this is the ideal time to plant bulbs! The dormancy that the cooler weather creates in the bulbs is necessary for their growth and producing beautiful flowers. They are some of the easiest plants to grow and if planted in the fall, they’ll bloom in early spring! "Bulbs do not like to be water logged, which is why we amend it with organic composts. We plant each bulb with the pointed end facing up. Bulbs planted upside down will still flower, but they reach for the light and their bloom will be less prolific," is a tip from Leah when planting! Imagine getting through a dark, depressing winter, and being greeted one cool spring morning with some budding tulips! This would brighten anyone’s day and give them hope for sunshine and warm weather.
There are soooo many kinds of bulbs, but the most recognizable have to be tulips. From classic red and yellow to the pink and orange tulips that are reminiscent of summer sunsets, we love all things tulips at Floral Bar. While there are many varieties of bulbs, there are quite a few tulip varieties that would be lovely additions to your spring garden. Parrot Tulips (pictured below and right) and Double Tulips are bright and colorful - each seeming to have their own personality, while Lily and Fringe Tulips are more classic with subtle, Spring-y patterns. The Kaufmanniana Tulips (pictured below and left) remind me of flowers I'd see in a fairy garden - dainty with a little bit of magic. Floral Bar also does Tulip Collections where thoughtful arrangements of spring bulbs are created for you, highlighting the essence of spring with an array of varietals and colors.
While Floral Bar has a variety of Collections, The Ursula Collection of bulbs are my favorite. Fancy Frills tulips, Paul Scherer Tulips, Black Parrot Tulips, anemone mix, and Turkish humilis tulips make up this collection, and the dark, moody Paul Scherer and Black Parrot tulips contrast beautifully with the bright pink Fancy Frills tulip, truly inviting you into spring with a newfound boldness. Some other Collections by Floral Bar are their I Got Sunshine, The French Connection, Fragrant Bomb in Jewel, Fragrant Bomb in Pastel, Over the Winter Blues, and my other personal favorite: The Traveler Collection. The intention that goes into making each collection will be evident in your garden at home; your neighbors will be asking you how you achieved such a beautiful yard in the beginning of spring! You can also build your own collection and get those creative juices flowing!
Does this make you want Spring to come already? I'll be honest, I'm loving every minute of fall over here in West Michigan, and my porch is covered in pumpkins, gourds, and mums. But it's so important to keep these fall plantings in mind - to ease your mind in the spring, and prepare your garden for success in the coming months. In the meantime, I hope you've been inspired to plant bulbs this fall season - grab a warm drink and your favorite sweatshirt - and get outside and plant your spring garden!
I hope the second week of October is safe and spooky for you all!
Xoxo
Alyssa and the Floral Bar Team
Comments