PHOTOS: (DAFFODILS) HIMEISEN PHOTOGRAPHY; (FADING FOLIAGE) BLAINE MOATS; (TULIP BULB) SCO TT LITTLE
k n o w
-
h o w
o u
t d
o o r s
I’m so
I annoyed
rabbits and deer
eat my flowers. What
bulbs will they
not
eat?
Daffodils and alliums are
rarely consumed by either
deer or rabbits. Daffodils
are poisonous to most
animals, and alliums
(the onion family) taste
bad to them. Squill
( S c i l i a ) ,
N ecta ro sco rd u m ,
crocus,
F ritilla ria ,
grape hyacinth
(
M u s c a r i
), snowdrop
0
G a la n th u s
), striped squill
(
P u sch k in ia
), and hyacinth
are usually safe but might
get nibbled now and then.
Tulips are a poor choice where
deer and rabbits are numerous.
Keep in mind that a very hungry
animal will eat nearly any plant.
Old daffodil and
i tulip foliage is very
:ractive. How soon can
I cut it off?
Q
l’ve heard that I
« should plant bulbs
right side up, but how do
I tell which end is the top?
Daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, and
tulips,
b elo w
, all have pointed
tops—plant that end up. Bulbs that
don’t have an obvious point often
have traces of old roots on the
bottom. Plant that end down.
To ensure good bloom next year,
let naturalized bulbs keep their
foliage—which replenishes the
underground bulbs—until it turns
yellow. For a tidier appearance,
some gardeners braid it or fold
it up and bundle it with a rubber
band until it all turns yellow.
For more information on growing
bulbs, visit
B H G .co m /b u lb tip s.
Ask our Garden Doctor
your toughest
questions at BH G.com /
gardendoctor
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0 2 0 0 9 S.C. Johnson & Son. Inc. All rights reserved.
728045
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS OCTOBER
2009
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