Tidying up spring plants
By oldchem1
@oldchem1 (8132)
May 22, 2012 12:10pm CST
I am fairly new to gardening but am loving the experience. What I am looking for help with is how I deal with the remains of my spring plants (like tulips, daffodils etc).
Once the flowers are dead and gone the stalks and leaves look very straggly and untidy; I believe that the bulbs in the ground get nutrients etc from these leaves and this is what makes the bulbs grow and multiply for the next season, so I am always unsure as to what to do with the plants when the flowers are gone to ensure that the plants grow bigger and better next year.
Do I cut them off, do I leave them to rot?? Any advise from more experienced gardeners would be gratefully received!!
Do I cut them off, do I leave them to rot?? Any advise from more experienced gardeners would be gratefully received!!2 responses
@Memnon (2170)
•
22 May 12
It seems to be accepted practice to tie the leaves together and leave untol they whither. They still don't look appealing though. Most of pur bulbs are planted near fast growing summer shrubs whose leaves mask these little bundles as they grow for ther season.
@oldchem1 (8132)
•
23 May 12
The bulbs in my main garden are - like yours - around trees and near shrubs so they are well hidden; my main concern was in the planters I have in the patio area that were beginning to look quite unsightly. All chopped off now though and more bedding plants planted!!
@GardenGerty (161080)
• United States
22 May 12
The particular bloom stems of the ones you mentioned should be cut, so the plant does not put its energy into trying to make seeds. When the leaves turn brown, cut them off. I think many people plant annuals among their perennials to help cover this awkward time, or pretty foliage plants or ground cover.
