Why are Bulb and Perennial combinations useful?
• Extending the bloom season. Since bulbs are the earliest major component in the garden, their use is of obvious importance in lengthening the season of the garden. • Hiding/covering senescing bulb foliage. After a spring bulb flowers, the leaves senesce (lose their green color), a process that lasts several weeks. While important for bulb filling and, ultimately, long-term perennializing of the bulb, the yellowing leaves are unsightly. Thus, the functional covering of bulb leaves can be an important facet of a good combination. • Contrasting or complementary leaf texture. Leaf texture is an important design element, and due consideration should be given to it. • Color. Most spring bulbs flower before the majority of herbaceous perennials. Thus, color can be used in a sequence from bulb to perennial. The result is a longer season of bloom within the same garden space. One may also use color from one plant to complement or contrast the colors of another. This is called “color echoing”
