Traditional grass-based lawns are losing popularity as homeowners seek alternatives to the uniform green expanse. This shift is driven in part by the desire for low-maintenance lawns that also provide a haven for wildlife and pollinators. The truth is, traditional lawns provide minimal habitat. If your lawn isn’t reaching its full potential, planting flower bulbs is an easy way to add an eco-friendly touch and increase biodiversity.
The benefits of a bulb lawn
When many people think of bulb plants, they think of daffodils and tulips. While these plants are extremely popular and add a lot of color and interest to a spring garden, there are so many more to think about. Bulbs such as crocus and snowdrops bloom in late winter, adding to the seasonal interest of your garden. In addition, summer blooming bulbs such as dahlias, irises, lilies and gladiolus extend color and provide food for pollinators, often well into early fall.
Perhaps the most important benefit that flower bulbs provide is their ability to bloom often when there is very little else. “A flower bulb lawn is an essential source of early season pollen and nectar for pollinators,” advises Peggy Anne Montgomery, horticulturist at Bloembollen.eu. By implementing sustainable practices with early blooming bulbs, you can transform your lawn effectively and effortlessly. “Very little else is blooming at that time of year, and the awakening insects have to forage quickly and can’t fly far,” she says. Additionally, bulb lawns can enhance the visual appeal of a garden, adding seasonal color and variety while requiring minimal maintenance compared to traditional lawns.
Choosing the right lamps
The best thing about most flower bulbs is that they require little to no maintenance once planted. When choosing bulbs to plant in your lawn for the benefit of pollinators, varieties with a single flower per bulb provide easy access to nectar for insects. In addition, choose sturdy, low-maintenance bulbs that naturalize well in lawns without requiring much care, as this guarantees a sustainable habitat for pollinators in the long term. Montgomery recommends bulbs such as mini daffodils, grape hyacinths and botanical tulips for naturalizing. These species attract pollinators, including bees, and thrive in most climates. “Anytime we can create pollinator habitat in our vegetable gardens, it’s a win for pollinators and wildlife.”
Montgomery says all of the bulbs below will attract pollinators:
- Greek Windflower (Anemone blanda)
- Glory of the snow (Chionodoxa)
- Crocus
- Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
- Snowdrop (Galanthus)
- Spring ester flower (Ipheion uniflorum)
- Dwarf iris (Iris reticuluata)
- Mini daffodils (Daffodil)
- Grape Hyacinths (Muscari)
- Botanical tulips (Tulipa)
Plants
Proper planting techniques are essential for success. You can plant spring flowering bulbs in the fall, summer bulbs in the spring. Most lamps require full sun, ideally six hours of direct sunlight per day. However, check the planting instructions for the light requirements of the specific species before choosing a location in your garden.
All bulbs prefer well-drained soil. To plant bulbs, prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of 6-4 inches, depending on the size of the bulb. Montgomery recommends using a drill to dig holes and plant bulbs at a depth three times the height. You can add fertilizer or amend the soil with peat moss at planting time to improve soil quality. Place the bulbs in the holes with the pointed end facing up and cover them with soil. After planting, water deeply to settle the soil around the roots and eliminate air pockets. Add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and insulate the bulbs during winter (for spring bulbs) or to keep the soil cooler in summer.
Fertilization
The need for fertilizer varies between summer and spring bulbs. For spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils, you should fertilize twice a year: once in the fall when planting and again in early spring when the leaves emerge. For summer blooming bulbs, fertilize when new growth appears in spring, with regular applications throughout the growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer formulated specifically for flower bulbs. Remember, more fertilizer is not better. Always follow the specific needs of each bulb variety to promote healthy flowering and good root development.
Watering
The watering schedule for flower bulbs depends on whether they bloom in spring or summer. For spring flowering bulbs: start watering as soon as the buds appear, when the soil is dry. Provide approximately 1 inch of water per week during the flowering period. For summer bloomers: water when the buds appear and continue to do so regularly throughout the growing season. The goal is to water deeply, but avoid overwatering because bulbs can rot in soggy or poorly drained soil. For best results, monitor rainfall and adjust watering as necessary.
Maintenance tips
Taking care of a bulb lawn is simple. Of greatest concern are rodents, especially squirrels, which are often attracted to newly planted bulbs because of the scent or disturbed soil. Montgomery suggests using all-natural insect repellents available at garden centers that effectively keep small mammals at bay. “These products usually have an unpleasant odor for rodents, which prevents them from digging,” she explains. “Look for a commercial product and follow the instructions on the label.”
Once established, these bulbs require minimal care. “For a flower bulb lawn, you have to mow later than normal in the spring,” Montgomery warns. “The foliage must die to feed the bulbs the following year.” If you or your neighbors aren’t comfortable with taller grass in the spring, Montgomery suggests planting bulbs along the edges of your lawn, leaving a regularly mowed lawn edge to leave the taller grass looking deliberately and neatly to see. “I use a strimmer to cut the grass before the first cut,” she adds. “Then roughly rake the area and mow at the highest setting. A week later, mow as usual. If the grass looks a bit yellow, apply some organic fertilizer and water it well.”
