PLANT INBETWEEN HOSTAS Bluebell (Spanish bluebell, English bluebell) (Hyacinthoides — Endymon, Scilla) USDA zones: 4 to 10, depending on species Bloom period: Throughout spring Height: 12 to 20 inches How to plant: 3 inches deep in warmer climates; up to 6 inches deep in cold-winter climates; 6 inches apart
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) USDA zones: Generally grown indoors in all zones; for garden culture, 8 to 10 Bloom period: Spring when grown outdoors; several weeks after planting indoors Height: Up to 2 feet How to plant: Indoors, in a container wide enough to allow at least 2 inches between the rim and the bulb; 1 foot apart outdoors, with the tops even with the soil surface
A natural approach works well for daffodils in particular and other plants like crocuses and fritillaries. The easiest way to achieve a natural look is simply to lightly toss the bulbs throughout the location in the garden where you want them to grow, then plant them where they fall. They’ll spread over the years.
BURNING BUSH
CORPEUS
Coreopsis ‘Redshift’ works well at the front edge of a garden bed. Redshift likes to splay, so it also works well in the interior of a garden bed, where it appears like a skirt on other perennials.
ASTER Blooms in the fall
Plant in groupings and conceal dying foliage with leafy companion plants, such as ornamental grasses, ferns and hostas. CROWN IMPERIAL
Snowdrop
Layering can take on an abundant, natural look that is perfect for casual gardens and meadows. Here, agapanthus and society garlic put on a multilayered show
pring-blooming bulbs pop when planted in front of evergreen shrubs in a border or a foundation planting.
For casual landscapes, group bulbs in an irregular manner to mimic how they would grow in nature.
small staggered groupings of tulips provide rhythm and repetition, leading the eye down the path to the front door.
Fill containers with color. Surprisingly, perhaps, bulbs perform as well in containers as they do in the ground. Plant portable pots in autumn, then overwinter the plants in a cold garage or storage shed before placing the containers out in spring.
natural feel of a woodland path with old-fashioned choices like ferns and pachysandra, an evergreen groundcover that thrives beneath trees.
HOSTA IN SHADY AREAS
star magnolia
Here, sweet alyssum and santolina naturally charm a rocky setting with shades of silver and white.
black mondo grass, coral bells, sedum and low-growing evergreens thrive between a rock and a hard place.
mingle spreaders with plants of different heights, growth habits, textures and colors.
Creeping mother of thymE
Remember natural color flow, the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. This same color flow can create a natural and peaceful transition in the garden.
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