SPRING FLOWERS FADING? A HORTICULTURE EXPERT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION HAS SOME ADVICE TO ENSURE THEY ARE LOOKING THEIR BEST NEXT SEASON. 

IN ORDER TO HELP SPRING BULBS THRIVE, THE EXTENSION’S KEN JOHNSON SAYS YOU SHOULD LEAVE THE FOLIAGE ON THE PLANTS.

THE FLOWERS CAN BE REMOVED BUT THE LEAVES SHOULD STAY UNTIL THEY HAVE TURNED YELLOW AND DIED BACK. JOHNSON SAYS THAT CAN TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS FOR TULIPS AND DAFFODILS. HE ADVISES AGAINST TYING UP THE FOLIAGE FOR A CLEANER APPEARANCE SINCE THAT WILL REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SUN THE PLANT GETS.

JOHNSON SAYS IT’S ALSO A GOOD IDEA TO FERTILIZE YOUR SPRING FLOWERS.