Question: Last spring I moved to a house that has a well established perennial border. There are many Tulips and daffodils in the planting, and although they bloomed well, the blossoms were very small. When I began to dig in the borders, I found the bulbs not more than two inches below the top of the soil—and in some eases completely exposed. Should they be planted deeper? EMD., Missouri.
Where Dutch bulbs are used in the perennial border, they should be planted deep enough so that other perennials may be set above the bulbs. If planted deep. other plants may be set among the bulbs without disturbing them either while they are in bloom or shortly afterwards. By the time the bulbs have died down other plants, as chrysanthemums and salvia will be established and growing and there will be no unwelcome break in the border. Under such conditions, tulips should be planted at least four inches deep and daffodils at least six inches deep. Daffodils set six to eight inches deep do not divide as rapidly as if set shallow and persist longer in good condition without requiring dividing.
