Choosing the Best Bulbs for Beautiful Spring Flowers
Fall is the time for planning and planting for spring color. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and more are spring flowering bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. So how do you select the perfect bulbs to ensure that you will have big, healthy blossoms in the spring?
There are a few things to keep in mind when you are choosing bulbs. This is one of the times when bigger is better! You want a healthy bulb and those are the ones that are plump and firm. They will feel heavy in your hand compared to unhealthy bulbs. Generally you will find the healthiest, first quality bulbs through a mail order company that specializes in bulbs. Many of these companies ship directly from Holland to your door. Brecks is one of the top online bulb companies and their bulbs have never let me down!
If you prefer to buy your bulbs from a store, make sure you are picky. Follow the guidelines above and pick the plumpest, heaviest bulbs. You will get the best bulbs at a nursery, but you can find good bulbs at other retailers if you take your time to sort through the bin and select the best ones.
There is a wide variety of spring flowers that are planted as bulbs in the fall. Most people think of tulips and daffodils, but there are so many other flowers to choose from as well. Search online bulb companies or their catalogs to get a feel for the type of flowers you want. Then you will be prepared before you buy, no matter if you choose to purchase at a brick and mortar store or through the mail.
When you are deciding what type of bulbs to buy there are several things to consider. You need to think about size, time of bloom and color. Many people go into the nursery with the intention of buying tulip bulbs without realizing that tulips come in all different heights, bloom times and colors. One thing that might be helpful is to remember that with tulips the taller the plant and bigger the blossom, the later in the year it blooms. Generally shorter tulips bloom first with the rest following according to height. If you want to have tulip blossoms for a long period of time, plant a variety. Just make sure you keep the later blooming ones toward the back of the flower bed so they don't hide smaller plants.
Bulbs take very little time to plant and they will give you years of enjoyment. You don't have to worry about replanting every year unless you want more plants! However, bulbs will divide each year. So where you had one flower this year you will have two or three next year. After a few years you may see a decrease in the size of the blossoms so you may want to replant then.
Tulips and daffodils blooming in the garden is a sure sign of spring. You can have your own spring welcome by planning and planting in the fall. Your beautiful spring garden will be worth the wait.
About the Author
Paige believes in spending time enjoying nature. She loves to garden and finds ways to make it simpler. Like using a coiled garden hose to keep her hose under control! She is happy when she finds the best garden hose storage for her garden.
The Netherlands - Spring At Its Most Beautiful (Best Picture & Sound Quality)
Spring Wedding Attire For Men
Spring is right around the corner, and it is the perfect time to lighten up! If a spring wedding is in the forecast, now is the time to decide on the attire for the groom and other men in the wedding party. Take a look at these fresh ideas for spring wedding attire for men.
Formal evening weddings call for black tie, even in the spring. The traditional tuxedo does not allow a whole lot of room for personalization, but it is possible to add a little hint of spring to the ensemble. One of the easiest ways to do so is by selecting boutonierres in iconic spring flowers. A small spring of white lilies-of-the-valley would be both formal and springy. Or choose a diminutive spring bulb such as a mini daffodil or grape hyacinth for a bit more whimsy. These flowers are excellent additions to the bridal bouquets, so they are wonderful boutonierre options.
For daytime spring weddings, consider suits in light colors. A navy or black suit is handsome, to be sure, but can look a bit heavy on a beautiful spring day. Get into the spirit of the season with khaki suits for the groom and groomsmen. They look fresh and spring-like, and pair wonderfully with bridesmaid dresses in pastel colors. The neutral khaki color allows for infinite shirt and tie options. It can be very nice to choose a shirt which coordinates with the colors the bridesmaids will wear. Another idea is to use a blue or white shirt and pick up the wedding colors in the tie. Pastel colors like yellow and spring green look fantastic with khaki suits, as well.
Another nice spring wedding look is for the men to wear blazers with trousers rather than an entire suit. It is less stiff and formal, which is ideal for semi-formal weddings. The classic navy blazer is a can't-miss, and can be worn in a variety of ways. Traditional brass buttons are nautical and conservative. Pair them with a striped tie and a nicely starched shirt. Or let the navy blazers be a little more understated by switching out brass buttons for plain navy ones that match the jacket (this is an incredibly easy alteration). A yellow shirt with a tiny check or a classic blue and white striped button down would be perfect with this outfit. As for the pants, they can be an all-season wool gabardine in a light color like tan or gray. If the wedding is really relaxed, cotton khakis would even work, as long as they are crisp and freshly pressed with a hint of starch.
Accessories make the man, just like they do the woman, so do not overlook their role in the mens' wedding attire. If you are not using a boutonierre, a pocket square in a spring color will add a dash of color to their jackets. Cufflinks are another great accessory for the men in a wedding, and they make excellent groomsmen gifts. Silver cufflinks with an initial are one of the most popular groomsmen gifts, or select cufflinks which tie in with the theme of your wedding, such as small silver sailboats for a nautical wedding.
So you see, there are some great springtime attire options for the men in a wedding. It is not all the same old stuff that they wear all year long. Whether your wedding is formal, casual, or something in between, choosing wedding attire with a springy feeling will help the groomsmen and groom to look fresh and crisp.
About the Author
Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about weddings, fashion, and etiquette. The friendly staff at http://silverlandjewelry.com/ is waiting to help you find the perfect groomsmen gifts
for your wedding. All jewelry orders over $99 receive complimentary shipping.
