Magic lawns

Lawns should be lawns. Nothing but well trimmed green without a trace of withering, other plants or color. All the resources required for lawns just to be lawns. Think of the magic specialty bulbs can provide.

At Longwood Gardens PA 3 million and more hardy, little bulbs have been used over the last 10 years to enhance several lawn areas. Started in the sparse turf areas under large deciduous trees at Oak Knoll these gems now create glorious carpets. Many more sweeps of very early spring color have been added since, also to the formal lawn areas of the Gardens.

Careful selection of the right bulb species for the right site and setting is needed to assure long term performance and ease of maintenance. Many geophytes, s.a. crocus have fine leaves that go unnoticed and dye back before lawn mowing starts.

Later blooming Scilla siberica has lush green foliage which dies back later. They are best planted in well defined areas, close to big trees or lawn strips where mowing is postponed till the foliage matures. Scilla also does great in those areas where lawns suffer from variable PH from the winter salting of walkways and streets nearby.

For immediate effects, cluster small numbers of bulb where they can be seen at close range. Plant large quantities in broad sweeps or drifts throughout open lawns, under roses and shrubs, or lightly shaded woodlands.

The combination of different geophytes, as offered in our Specialty Bulb Blends; Magic Lawns (all violet blue tones) or All Roses (violet rosy pink tones and whites), will give a bloom season of 10 weeks, from late winter to early spring. The 4 varieties in each blend are packed seperately, to enable varying planting densities and highlights.

To create naturalized displays, plant anywhere from 5 to 25 bulbs per square foot. Create a random pattern by varying the number and composition of bulbs per planting hole. Leave areas unplanted to allow green grass to contrast with pools of color. This technique imitates dappled shadows playing across the lawn.

Best for Lawn Plantings

Crocus

Chionodoxa

Scilla

Specialty Bulb Blends