Bulbs: A bright idea // Fall planting yields color in spring

With the approach of Labor Day signaling the end of summer, manygardeners start thinking about bulbs.

Most bulbs, tubers and corms must be planted in the fall andspend the winter underground before emerging early in the spring.

Bulbs provide enormous potential for adding color, form andoccasionally fragrance to the garden, and although they bloom for oneseason only, they are usually the first color found each springbefore summer-flowering perennials reach their peak.They are also well-suited to growing in pots, window boxes orother containers, and provide a fragrant and colorful touch whenmassed on a patio or terrace.When they have finished blooming, they can be lifted, stored ina cool, dark basement, or planted in the garden until needed in thespring. Keeping them in the basement rather than in flower bedskeeps them safe from the moles, voles and other subterranean beastieswho like to nosh on them over the winter.Most spring-blooming bulbs, such as tulip, crocus, narcissusand hyacinth, prefer well-drained soil and sun to flourish, and whentreated to these conditions, many will increase in number bynaturalizing. In just a few years, 100 daffodil bulbs can spread byseed and triple in number, creating colorful, irregular drifts in thelandscape.Americans will plant nearly one billion Dutch bulbs this yearand are showing great interest in flowers with richer, strongercolors after years of preferring soft pastels.Clear jewel colors such as ruby, amethyst, sapphire, topaz andaquamarine are now preferred, and orange has become the most talkedabout "new" color for tulips.Popular are Tulipa pulchella violacea, a fuchsia early bloomer;T. linifolia, scarlet; and T. vved. "Tangerine Beauty," a vivid redwith orange flames.T. Monte Carlo, a sulphur yellow; Ad Rem, orange; Redwing, rubyred; tangerine Toronto; T. Fringed Beauty, bright vermillion withgold fringe; and T. Artist are also popular.Giant purple alliums have also become more popular; the A.caeruleum is an easy-to-grow specimen. It reaches a height of 24inches, is pale blue and looks nice over bright yellow flowers in aperennial border.With these and many other choices offered right now, gardenersthis fall should find real excitement in mail-order catalogs andgarden centers. Whatever the trends, the abundance of tried-and-truefavorites as well as new offerings mean something for everyone toplant now and enjoy later.