Premature sprouting...

[Bbbananas]

I wanted to ensure I had some lovely spring flowers for next year. Spent rather a lot of money on lots of blue & purple muscari, white tulips, and the like. It said on the packet to set anytime from October for flowering the following spring. I put them in pots, put some in a shaded corner and one in a dark cool garage - thinking I wouldn't see any signs of life until at least February.

They're sprouting!!! Now, if these will continue to sprout into lovely blooms, I don't care what time they come up. Flowers are always welcome. I've brought the ones from the garage indoors to the warmth,and have started watering them. The others I have left to do what nature intends.

Will the bulbs be ruined? Is it only bulbs planted in the ground that will not flower until Spring? Is it because we had lots of late October warmth and sunshine along with the rain?

[LoftyLottie]

Salla, muscari will sprout in the autumn and then die back and sprout again at the right time. Every year I get loads of scruffy sprouting muscari late in the year (just the leaves) These disappear and start coming through again early the next year. So don't worry. However. I would take the ones out of the garage and put them outside. Bulbs are very resilient.

[Bbbananas]

The ones that had been kept in the cool dark garage I have brought into the kitchen. Would I be better leaving them all outside then Lottie?

I still have half the bulbs I bought, to plant into the garden. I was thinking of putting them in at the end of this month. So if any of these spring-intended bulbs do start sprouting now, I can safely leave them & expect them to sprout again at the expected time?

[LoftyLottie]

It is probably the muscari that are sprouting.

It won't hurt to put them outside. Even if the tuliips started sprouting they will just stop where they are and resume at the right time (unless they have sprouted a lot)

I have planted bulbs well into December outside and they just come up a bit later and settle down in the years that follow. Tulips are actually better planted late in autumn rather than early.

[LoftyLottie]

I got a bit carried away with bulbs this year. I have made myself stop!! I can't wait for the spring. I have this artistic vision of what it will look like and it always looks completely different. My main problem is mice and moles, not the weather!!

[ummmm]

Will you post some pics Lottie?

[Bbbananas]

I love gardening - well, the flower bit, the design planning and artistic bit. I have a vision of a spring garden all blue, purple, violet, white and green. So I have white tulips of assorted varieties and height, loads of muscari, hyacinths. Snowdrops and bluebells. Can you suggest any other pretty hardy bulbs in blue and/or white that would spring up about the same time?

[LoftyLottie]

Sounds absolutely lovely Salla. I love that colour combination. This year I have also planted some miniature tulips in more vibrant colours in pots which white daffodils to put a splash of orange in unexpected places. My friend over the road and I are both keen on the garden design bit and the planting out. Mr LL does veggies. I can't get inspired by veggies - except eating them.

I'll have a think about other bulbs, but what about Anemone Blanda (corms). They are so lovely and spread well. Look lovely too in shingle. You can buy them in single colours or mixed.

[LoftyLottie]

http://www.capitalgar...ed-bulbs-p-19232.html

Forgot the link. But have a look at google images. They are also called 'Windflower" Short happy little daisy looking plants which look lovely planted in clumps.

[LoftyLottie]

Oh, and of course the gorgeous little dwarf Iris. Google them. There are lots of varieties.