Plant Bulb Identification

Overview

Every gardener enjoys a moment or two of spring amnesia, wondering at the bright green shoots from bulbs she cannot recall planting the previous fall. More confusing, however, is figuring out the decisions of another gardener. Moving into a new home includes becoming acquainted with the garden, and in some cases the results are inconclusive. Fortunately, there are resources to help you identify bulbs that have already been planted.

Bulb Features

Shape, size and outer covering all provide clues to basic bulb types, especially those planted most often in home gardens. Crocus, for example, resemble flattened baby onions, and any covering will both look and feel ridged. Larger, onion-shaped tulip bulbs have a smooth coating, and like other bulb skins it sometimes disappears into the soil over time. Daffodils are known for their "noses," the sprouts that eventually form the basis of new bulbs and more flowers. Lilies share several layers of papery skin similar to that of daffodils, but look like curved-tipped football mums buried in the dirt. A number of small or short-season bulbs closely resemble each other.

Predictions

Firm-fleshed bulbs with abundant root systems are ready to grow. Those with soft or mushy flesh, shriveled roots or dried flesh are likely to be less viable, although that is not an absolute. If, however, you have a favorite shrub to plant and find bulbs in such condition, they are better candidates for removal than their more solid, better-rooted companions. At worst, your azalea will have a few snowdrop companions, and little harm is done. To examine the root systems of already planted bulbs, loosen soil very gently and replant quickly before dry air can damage the roots.

What You Cannot Identify

Bulbs can tell you the basic variety of plant, but not size or color. Tulip bulbs are of remarkably similar size for both six-inch high tulips and those 18 inches tall. Dutch iris bulbs are easily confused with scilla, glory-of-the-snow and a number of other small bulbs; from their very small bulbs come tall graceful flowers. Hyacinth bulb skins come in several colors, but those colors bear no correlation to bloom color.

Bulb Guides

Assorted bulb guides provide either pictures of bulbs and their resulting flowers shown together, or pictures of the bulbs alone. Those with photographically based drawings of bulbs are the most useful. Add to this the planting depth information bulb guides provide, and you may be able to zero in on such lesser-known bulbs as freesia, star-of-Bethlehem, crocosmia and blackberry lily.

Flower Identification

One solution to all your bulb-identification questions is to allow your new yard to bloom throughout the full season. Bulb catalogs, nurseries and planting websites have an abundance of photos of blooms you can match with your bulbs, whether they are in or out of the ground. This also allows you time to take seasonal photographs and draw the garden maps you always regretted not having for your previous yard. This way, bulb identification can benefit all of your future planting.

Other Resources

USDA County Extension agencies and the botany or biology departments of local colleges may have resources to identify plants that are difficult for the layman to access. County Extension agencies are likely to have excellent information on all plants that grow in local climate zones. Universities may have even broader collections. Photographs and physical samples are very useful for identifying an unusual bulb or plant.