Tis the season to be planning your spring display (that is if you are in the northern hemisphere). I know this picture circulated the internet a lot earlier this spring, but now is really the time to think about bulbs if you want to create something really interesting….So we are recirculating. If you wait until the spring you will only have the options of planting forced bulbs.  Forced bulbs are a short-sighted way that many commercial properties use to get annual spring bulb displays.  But if you want to be unique and special then you need to step back and think about planting a better variety in the fall.  This is especially important to think about if you are managing a hotel, spa or other hospitality property.

Forced Bulbs (i.e. those that are available for installation in the spring…ready to bloom when you want them) are only available in very limited varieties, and they are not very environmentally friendly –think of the containers they are planted in, the additional transportation costs of plants vs. bulbs, the electrical costs of the refrigeration required to time them properly, all of which adds up to a lot of additional cost. All so you can have a bog standard display of yellow daffodils, Red or yellow tulips and some grape hyacinths.

I implore you to stop the environmental madness – and get creative in the fall.  Plant bulbs when they are meant to be planted and stop buying forced bulbs in quantity. Let your imagination soar with varieties and colors, while saving money and acting responsibly.