There are two ways to use flowers from bulbs: you can leave them in the ground so they (potentially) return, or you can harvest them with the bulb attached for a vase or bouquet. Both options have their own charm – it depends on the variety and your plans for the garden.
If you leave the bulbs in the ground, it is important to let the foliage die back naturally. This allows the bulb to store energy for a new bloom. However, not all flower bulbs come back every year. Botanical tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinths, and alliums are good examples of varieties that, with a little care, can return year after year. Many large tulip varieties (such as double or fringed tulips), on the other hand, are often less reliable as perennials—they provide the best results in the first year.
If you harvest flowers with the bulb attached, you get an extra-long vase life and a unique, natural look. Ideal for cutting gardens or meadow bouquets. Just keep in mind that you are removing the bulb, so you only get one season of blooms.
Do you want to enjoy your bulbs for a long time? Then choose varieties suitable for naturalizing – and give them a spot where they can grow undisturbed.