perenials and bulbs

I'm a new perenial and bulb gardener. I left a large area at the front of both of my perenial beds to plant a row each of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Is it possible to plant perenials over these or between the bulbs which will be spaced 6 inches apart? I wanted the perenials to hide the dieing leaves of the bulbs. Or would it be better to plant annuals over this area? Would this cause the bulbs to rot?

Your proposal is the recommended method to cover the ripening bulb foilage. Either annuals and/or perennials can utilized for this purpose. To offset any concern concerning bulb rot, you could throw some sand and gravel in the bottom of each bulb place, this hastens fast drainage and by default precludes most bulb rotting environments.
As a sidebar, you'll be well served if you plant your tulips rather deeply, say 8 inches.

I've used daylilies on top of my spring bulbs, which come up just as the earlier things are finishing. It's been a successful companion planting for me.

Hi, maimes, and welcome to Dave's Garden. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do--and I guarantee you will learn a lot, too! Always good to have another Ohioan posting.

I like to use the Alan Titchmarch's site "Crocus" for good information on plant combinations...his article about bulbs and perennials will give you lots of good ideas, I think...
http://www.crocus.co.uk/feature/springfloweringbulbs/#2061

He mentions hostas, sedum, liriope, (the popular) hemerocallis, pennisetum, euphorbias, just to get you started...

He also advises to interplant bulbs in groupings (or some say 'bouquets') for a nice effect in the perennial beds, and this may give the perennials a better chance to camoflage the dying bulb foliage.

I don't know a lot about annuals with bulbs. My daffodil, muscari and allium bulbs are all overplanted with various perennials--daylilies, various daisies, liatris, hardy geraniums, liriope...and they work fine although I am always editing.

Good luck (and show us some pics of your new plantings!) t.


This message was edited Oct 6, 2005 7:46 PM

something you may want to keep in mind is bulbs are often more visually effective if planted in clumps rather than rows- sort of condenses the color for a bigger impact. Also, the dying foliage is easier to hide in patches than throughout the bed. I love to interplant and overplant spring bulbs with perennials and groundcovers. It seems to add a graceful quality to bulbs (like tulips and hyacinths) that can look stiff. Happy fall planting, Neal.

thank you so much for answering all my questions. The more books I read the more confused I became. Thanks for all the input. Tabasco thanks for the link. I'm going there right now! And Hi! to another Ohioan!!!!! I love this site!

This message was edited Oct 7, 2005 5:43 PM