The pampering yields stronger plants than a "hands-off" approach which would seem appropriate for a perennial. You, like I, cannot afford to purchase and plant all new bulbs each year as public displays do. Our bulbs must get the help they need to perform as perennials.
The advice given here is for the hardiness zone 6 of Upstate New York.
Bulbs spend Fall sending sprouts toward the ground surface, so
it is typical for growth to break the soil after very few warm days.
Crocus commonly meet up with the last snowfalls of Winter. Don't be
concerned about damage to the sprouts; the pre-flowering vegetation
is hardy. If you wish to provide some protection, pour small mounds
of mulch on the location of visible sprouts.
It is best to venture out to the gardens early in the Spring,
for fertilization of the bulbs is very helpful at this time in their
yearly cycle. Carefully loosen the dirt around plants as soon as the
green vegetation emerges, sprinkling general purpose 5-10-5 crystals
into the soil. Fertilizer works its way into soil with Spring rains,
helping foliage and flower development. Don't apply fertilizer after
flowers appear; the nutrients would reach the bulb's roots when
it has gone dormant. If a dry Spring is experienced, the bulb's areas
should be watered to support their growth.
In areas where squirrels, deer, or pets damage the plants, pest
repellent sprays such as Ropel or Hinder can be used. Crocus or tulips
may be eaten by deer while daffodils are usually left untouched due to their
bitter/poisonous nature.
Some varieties, such as hyacinths or double
daffodils, may be easily blown over by winds or bowed over by rains.
If these were not located in a sheltered area, give them some support
with small stakes or wire support rings. Note the group of double daffodils
in the photo are supported by some green twine and some green stakes, to not detract
from the plant's foliage.
If your bulbs fail to flower, it may be one of several reasons. Are your tulips getting
the sun they need? Is your bulb garden poorly drained, with standing water or muddy soil?
Have your bulbs divided over the years into many small bulbs, none of which are large
enough to produce a flower? Any of these reasons require you to lift the bulbs and/or
establish a new garden or location.
When picking blooms, cut stems (or twist a
daffodil stem to pluck it) above the plant's leaves. Any flowers
remaining on the plant should be cut off at the base of the stem when
the petals wither. Flower heads which remain in place and go to seed
take energy from the bulb, and propagating bulbs from seed is a multi-year,
involved process suited only for hybridizers. Most crocus seem
to reappear and multiply whether or not their flowers are removed.
The plants' leaves should stay in place. Although they will seem unsightly, don't cut them off, bundle together, braid them, etc. Bulbs need the nutrition from photosynthesis in the leaves to feed them for next year's bloom. You wouldn't bundle your cherry tree's branches together after it has finished blooming !
Foliage should remain until it has yellowed. At that time, CUT the remains at the ground level -
do not pull it up; there is danger you will damage the top of the
buried bulb. My general rule for Spring-flowering bulbs is that all
foliage still visible on July 4th can be removed.
During the blooming, review the garden plan with which you
created the bulb garden. Make note of areas bare of blooms; plan to
add bulbs in the Fall, and insert plant markers to guide you.
Annuals can be planted over and between the bulb locations and will help cover the leftover foliage. Tilling of the soil should not disturb deep bulbs like daffodil and tulips; but take care to not damage shallow crocus bulbs. You may also plant perennials above the bulb's locations; the hosta planted around the tulips in the photo come into leaf after the tulips have flowered, and hide the tulips' foliage.
Spring-blooming bulbs can be left in the ground year-round in the Northeastern US, and do not need to be lifted for the summer. If you decide to lift bulbs to move/remove them, mark their position in Spring, and lift them in late Summer when dormant. Bulbs which have multiplied by division can then be separated and the offspring bulbs replanted individually.
With these steps to pamper flowering bulbs in the Spring,
they will gain energy for future years of bloom and increasing
number.