Below are three stunning bulb flowers that you can plant once and enjoy all year round:
1. Angel’s Trumpet
Angel’s Trumpet, also known as Brugmansia, is an exquisite flower with a unique appearance and a range of potential benefits. This flower thrives even in low-smoke environments and is excellent for air purification.
It absorbs harmful gases like Aldehyde formic, making it ideal for bedrooms to promote clean air and restful sleep. Angel’s Trumpet is a small herbaceous plant with a height ranging from 20-40cm. It grows in clusters and has small white bulbs underground.
The leaves are sword-shaped with a slight point at the tip, and they are small, soft, and vibrant with a deep green color. This flower typically blooms during the rainy season, earning the nicknames “Rain Lily” or “Rain Messenger.”
Angel’s Trumpet comes in three colors: yellow, pink, and white. The flowers initially form a bell shape and then open up into six- to eight-pointed stars on long stems, creating a graceful and enchanting display.
While it tolerates both waterlogging and drought, it fares better in the latter condition. Therefore, it is essential to water it moderately to maintain the leaves’ glossy appearance.
2. Narcissus
Narcissus, commonly known as Daffodil, is renowned for its vibrant colors and delicate fragrance. Its fragrant blooms, coupled with lush, glossy foliage, offer both aesthetic value and a boost of positive energy to any space.
This flower symbolizes hope, love, and purity and is considered a harbinger of good luck and longevity. When purchasing Narcissus bulbs, it is advisable to store them in a dry, dark place if you are not planting them immediately.
Before planting, gently clean the bulbs, removing the outer dry leaves and any black roots at the base. Then, give them a final rinse and soak them in water for 48 hours to allow the bulbs to absorb moisture and swell, making them easier to peel.
After soaking, peel off half of the bulb’s outer layer, being careful not to go too deep and damage the flower bud inside. Choose the side with the most prominent sprouts and face it upward when planting.
As you peel, be mindful of any sprouts that may be growing sideways; trim those off and only keep the central, straight sprout. It is crucial to keep the bulbs clean and free of any sap, as it can cause rot and discoloration.
Next, soak the cut side in water for a day to wash away any remaining sap, which will congeal and become sticky. Every 5-8 hours, use a soft brush to gently scrub away the sticky residue.
After the bulbs have been soaked and thoroughly cleaned, place them in a glass jar with the cut side facing up. Cover the cuts and the base with damp cotton to keep them moist, ensuring the roots and cuts don’t dry out.
After 3-4 days, when the cuts have healed, you can move them outside, but avoid direct sunlight, rain, and wind. Change the water daily and shape the leaves and flowers to your liking.
Note: If you’re planting Narcissus in soil, skip the peeling step and simply bury the bulbs, leaving a little bit of the stem exposed. Keep the soil moist as you await the sprouts.
3. Primrose
Primrose, also known as Primula, is a versatile flower used in landscaping and is known for its vibrant colors. Blooming in spring, it signifies the arrival of the season and represents youth and beauty.
Primrose is a low-growing flower with a straight and sturdy stem, reaching heights of 30-40cm. Its leaves are shaped like hearts and colored a deep green with a marbled effect, giving them a unique and elegant appearance.
Primrose produces an abundance of flowers, featuring six primary colors: yellow, red, white, light pink, dark pink, and purple. The smooth petals grow on long green stems and curve downward, creating a distinctive and eye-catching look.
Primrose is a long-lasting flower that thrives in cold climates and is typically grown in pots. As a highland flower, it blooms at night, signaling the coming of spring. Primrose can be grown from bulbs or seeds, and it is often referred to as the “royal flower” due to its elegant and captivating appearance.
As the plant matures, it develops bulbs that can be used to make ointments for the skin to prevent scarring after smallpox. The bulbs can also be ground into flour for baking, used as animal feed, or processed into tea and medicine.