No reasons not to plant tulips

Tulips are the bright and shining stars of the spring garden. Beginning with small botanical tulips in early spring and ending with late-flowering types, they paint the landscape with bold colors and pastel shades. Some shy away from planting tulips citing a variety of objections. Any reason given against planting tulips can be quickly rebuffed.

• Tulips don't come back reliably year after year. Some tulips are robust repeat performers; others need a bit of extra care to return dependably.

Choose the correct varieties. Botanical and species tulips, Darwin hybrids, and Fosteriana types are more consistently perennial, but partnered with the following methods, success is nearly guaranteed.

Plant bulbs at least three times the height of the bulbs in fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny location. Tulips cannot survive wet, heavy clay soil, so amend the soil with lots of organic matter. Plant them in beds with drought-tolerant perennials and don't water in the summer. Add bulb fertilizer when planting to get bulbs off to a good start.

Care for bulbs properly after flowering. Deadhead spent flowers, but do not remove yellowing foliage for at least six weeks. The foliage is feeding bulbs for next year's flowers.

• Critters dig them up as fast as I plant them. There is nothing as frustrating as planting bulbs only to see them unearthed by squirrels, chipmunks or other garden bandits. There are several ways to keep your bulbs protected.

Shield them. Place a layer of gravel or a section of chicken wire above and below bulbs. Use repellents. There are shelves full of pest repellent options at your local garden center. Homemade remedies include dusting bulbs with chili pepper and spreading hair from humans or pets over the planting area.

My favorite method to thwart marauders is to plant allium and scilla bulbs in the same hole. These bulbs are not palatable to most rodents, and their undesirable scent persuades them to search for a snack elsewhere. An added bonus: three separate flower shows from the same spot. Scilla bulbs appear first, followed closely by the tulips, and later the allium takes its turn.

Plant tulips very deep (as mentioned above) and remove all signs of bulb planting. Try providing alternative tasty treats. Keep squirrels away by offering them a steady diet of peanuts.

• I am done planting or don't have time to plant bulbs in the fall. Planting bulbs is a leap of faith. There is no instant gratification, no immediate sign of accomplishment. But just as we plunge seeds into the vegetable garden or scatter seeds in the wildflower patch, the payoff is well worth the effort. Dazzling flowers of tulips to chase away gray winter days will be the reward.

I can't think of a more pleasant thing to do than to spend time in the fall garden. Cool temperatures and blazing hues of changing leaves make it enjoyable to be outside.

If football games are keeping you on the couch, get up and plant bulbs at halftime. Go to your children's soccer games on Saturday morning and have them help you plant bulbs in the afternoon. Help your spouse rake the leaves and then plant bulbs together.

With no more excuses, find a way to carve out a few hours and you will thank me come spring - I promise!

• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist and the garden center manager at The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield. Call (630) 293-1040, ext. 2, or visit planterspalette.com.