Planting these underground wonders is like leaving the future you a gift.
Many of us are eagerly awaiting spring when everything flourishes with life and color. But before plants can do that, they need to have a solid foundation. Some plants do this in different ways, but it all happens underground.
Enter corms, bulbs, and tubers.
You may already know some of these and not realize it. Onions are bulbs, potatoes are tubers and that taro you enjoy the flavor of with your bubble tea? That’s a corm.
While these plants are quiet during winter, they greet you with an explosion of color in the spring. Here’s a few more that’ll light up your landscape.
Irises are a fan favorite that are drought tolerant, deer resistant and freeze hardy. They come in a variety of colors and can even be spotted in cemeteries across Texas.
Amaryllis is frequently found dipped in wax during the holiday season. Since it’s not freeze hardy, it would much rather stay inside with you during cold snaps. So, keep it potted as a temporary outside greeter so you can bring it inside when the cold arrives.
My personal favorites are plants in the narcissus genus, which include paperwhites, daffodils and jonquils. These adorable little friends have visual appeal with their fascinating flowers and different colors.
Society garlic provides cute little lilac flowers and it’s edible. Fun fact: It was named as such because you can eat it “in society” since it doesn’t leave a lingering garlic odor with you.
Wild hyacinth is a hyacinth in name only, but it still stuns. This member of the lily family has lavender flowers and a sweet scent. Other great options include Byzantine gladiolus, crinums and schoolhouse lily.
Planting these underground wonders in the fall is like leaving the future you a gift. You may not see a reward right away when you plant them, but you will in the spring — and oh what a delight it will be!
