Mail Order Flower Bulb Company

[mdurette Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mdurette]

I was hoping to plant some different bulbs this fall for spring flowers. Mail Order seems to be the way to go for best variety.

Any companies that anyone has experience with an can recommend?

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Van Bourgondien was always my favorite. Van Bourgondien - Dutch Bulbs and Perennials Since 1893

Very bad track record with Michigan bulb.

When you think you ordered enough, double it!

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

You might try looking at John Scheepers Flower Bulbs: http://www.johnscheepers.com/
I have yet to order any bulbs, but may this fall. I have been getting vegetable seeds from them for a few years and I have looked at their facility. They seem to buy top quality seeds and package and sell them, so I assume the same can be said for their bulbs.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I used to buy bulbs many years ago but I forgot thr company I had bought from.
We were in Holland last year and I saw tons of Bulbs being sold.

Try looking at these


Labor Day Sale 55%-75% Off | Holland Bulb Farms

Premium Dutch flower bulbs - Garden tulips, daffodils and more - Brecks.com


Fabulous garden plants, trees and bulbs at bargain prices - MichiganBulb.com

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

I have used Breck a few times and have always been satisfied.
I agree with Lawren, order more than you think you need. I always plant them closer together than they suggest as I don't think you get good density with what they suggest.
Premium Dutch flower bulbs - Garden tulips, daffodils and more - Brecks.com

[Fern Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fern]

I've used Breck's as well many times with success.

Fern

[mdurette Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mdurette]

What do "naturalizing" bulbs mean?

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

It means that you plant them and forget them. They will multiply on their own. I particularly like Van Engelen for large orders or their retail company, John Scheepers. Large size bulbs and some really unusual ones.

One trick I learned a few years ago is to dig a large hole, Plant several of the largest bulbs in the bottom. Add some dirt and a little bulb food, then put in the next size bulb, repeat. I usually do 3 layers with crocus and other small bulbs on top. It save work and you get a nice succession of spring flowers.

Don't plant too early or the bulbs will sprout.

Happy planting.

Sue

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Naturalizing bulbs that come to mind are daffodils, crocus, glory of the snow, snow crocus, winter aconite. After a few years the larger ones like daffs can be dug up and divided.

Tulips always bloom best the first couple of years and then peter out.

Also pay attention to what growing zone you live in and the bulbs you choose. I purposely planted a LOT of the very early little bulbs because they are the "Yes. Spring IS coming" things for me.

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Tulips always bloom best the first couple of years and then peter out.

They do? I never knew that! I thought they naturalized. But I do have some in front that produce these long stems and then big pink flowers...and now you mention it, I don't think there were so many this year. I guess they're petering out.

For the OP--we got some great bulbs at Costco a few years ago. I don't think they're anything unusual, though. They were very big, healthy, fresh bulbs, though, so you might want to take a look.

[Fern Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fern]

Irises also multiply over the years. I had a neighbor who didn't separate his for many years, and when he dug them up, he had enough for his front border, ours, and another neighbor's. I would guess that they multiplied to a factor of five in a couple of years.

Fern

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I just got back from Sam's Club. I picked up 1 box of 70 tulips of a little better quality, and a bag each of 100 tulips and 100 daffodils. Price for each was about $15.

Rabbits will eat the tulips, so they will go in the fenced area, the daffodils will be split between the fenced area and the front yard around the maple tree.

Now if I can find some peonys/peonies, I will be in good shape for next year.