When your beautiful spring bulbs (think daffodils) have finished blooming, some deadheading, fertilizer, water, and patience will help ensure they come back bigger and better next year. I’ve noticed that gardeners will cut or tie back the leaves after the blooms are done, however those leaves are important to keep around after the flowers have faded. They are absorbing all that sunlight and nutrients that will get sent down into the bulbs to create next year’s flowers. Here are some easy steps to success:
- Cut back the faded flower stalks and remove.
- Fertilize and water – continue to water for at least 6 weeks.
- In six weeks or so the leaves will start to die back and you can then cut them down and remove.
The withered plant fronds that are left after the bloom are not always very attractive. This is a good time to think about adding some perennials that will be growing in as the daffodils are going out, helping to hide the unappealing bulb foliage. Amsonia “Blue Ice” is a gorgeous option, as are hosta, poppies, and clumps of blue fescue – to name a few.
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