In the warmer parts of Canada spring has already sprung, but in colder regions, it’s still a few weeks away. My own Zone 5 garden in south-central Ontario (about 62 miles/100 km north of Toronto) lies somewhere between the two extremes. The minor bulbs of early spring are in flower, as are the hellebores. Early daffodils are about to pop and magnolia, forsythia and lilac are in … [Read more...] about The first flowers of spring
daffodils
25 recommendations for favourite bulbs
It’s a leap of faith. You bury a small, non-descript fibrous mass, not always knowing which end is up. Some bulbs you plant in fall; others you plant in spring and dig up in fall, knowing that winter will turn them to mush. You may well mark where they’re buried, then forget about them. But one day you see signs of growth, and you’re pleased with yourself because you made the … [Read more...] about 25 recommendations for favourite bulbs
Why don’t my daffodils re-bloom?
Question from Pamela in Sarnia For years, I have planted daffodils in the fall. They bloom the next spring and then never bloom again. I have never had one re-bloom. Any explanation ? Beckie's reply: Daffodils are generally reliable bloomers. A bonus is that they’re unpalatable to deer, squirrels and rabbits, which often treat a display of spring-blooming bulbs as their … [Read more...] about Why don’t my daffodils re-bloom?
Recommended flower bulbs
Fall has always been my favourite season, despite that whole going back-to-school thing when I was younger. As I get more interested in gardening, I’ve found a new reason to love fall (as if I needed another…scarves, boots, crunchy leaves and that smell!) But my new reason is one many gardeners can understand. It’s the excitement of finding new bulbs to plant. I’ve been … [Read more...] about Recommended flower bulbs
Last-minute narcissus
In the process of moving perennials around the garden, many little bulbs of purple fumitory (Corydalis solida) were uncovered. This is an ephemeral plant that carpets the ground with beautiful purple haze starting in April, but disappears by the end of June in my garden. The bulbs are small and sometimes costly, but just a handful will quickly multiply (by seed and offsets), … [Read more...] about Last-minute narcissus
