It’s bulb planting time here at Madison Square Park, and us horticulturalists know that spring truly begins in autumn. Every fall the horticulture team plants over 10,000 bulbs in the park, by Conklin and Seward monuments, around the fountain and reflecting pool. During the summer, the horticulture team plans these specific plantings, taking into consideration colors, textures, and bloom time to ensure a beautiful spring display from April to May. Autumn is the time to plant bulbs, as they require a ‘chilling period’, typically 10-14 weeks of below 40 degree temperatures. In the fall, when the soil is still warm from the summer months, the bulbs can establish strong roots without the stress of the summer sun. During the winter months, they go dormant, and will sprout up with increased vigor from this energy stored during the fall growth period.   

Once planted, our staff covers each area with chicken wire (to discourage snacking squirrels) and insulate with a layer of mulch. While it may be labor-intensive, the return is like no other, as horticulturalists and patrons alike starve for colorful flowers come early spring. We have a wide range of bulbs planted this fall, utilizing six different genera to create an endlessly interesting display. It’s the perfect way both to usher in springtime, and teach a key horticultural value: patience! 

Around Seward monument, expect the sweet, heady fragrance of hyacinth to draw you in, arranged in various pink and magenta shades. Hyacinth is a staple for springtime. The dramatic flowers encourage patrons to take a second look, and take in the unmistakable fragrance. A tip for these bulbs: plant them closer together as the large, heavy flowers tend to droop without a friend nearby to hold them up. We are really looking forward to the delicate pink show they will reward us with come April. 

With Seward providing the delicate pink and white flowers, we used the Conklin monument bulb planting to display bright, primary colors. There are four different bulbs used at Conklin: tulip, fritillaria, anemone, and muscari. Tulip mixes will feature bright red, orange, yellow, and purple flowers. The fritillaria, commonly known as ‘crown imperial’, will tower over the tulips in a beautiful orange spiky display, definitely earning its common name. Anemones and muscari will provide a contrasting dark blue and purple, creating a beautiful backdrop for the brightness of the tulips to shine. This bulb display will be an exceptional example of how creative horticulturalists can be with bulb design and will definitely be a feast for the eyes! 

Around our water features will be a mix of daffodils and tulips, with the fountain area featuring bright yellow and white daffodils and tulips, and the reflecting pool area planted with the “TuaLipa” tulip mix, which features shades of apricot, light pink, and creamy white. These bright plantings will hopefully inspire patrons to pause, take in the fleeting beauty of MSP’s bulb plantings, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief that spring is upon us. 

Although we have months to wait until these bulbs bloom, the horticulture team works tirelessly in the fall to make sure the bulbs bloom. It’s important to make sure we plant the bulbs at the correct depth and timeframe, and protect them against our native wildlife. Once the ground freezes, the bulbs will sleep in dormancy until the lengthening daylight and increase of rainfall signals them that it’s time to wake up. Every spring, the MSPC team delights in showing off our hard work, and celebrating the coming of spring with our fellow park goers. Until then, don’t be discouraged by the winter cold and early darkness and remember that we all have our beautiful bulb display to look forward to on the other side!