Tag: daffodils

  • The first flowers of spring

    The first flowers of spring

    Stephen’s calendar of bloom always begins with hybrid witch-hazels in late winter. (Photos by Stephen Westcott-Gratton)

    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 heavy bud after a milder than usual winter.

    Having gardened in the same spot for 12 years, I have a good idea of what blooms when. But what blooms first in my garden may be entirely different from what flowers first in yours. Much depends on hardiness zones, soil types, rainfall patterns and general topography. Naturally inquisitive, I’m curious about what gardeners in different regions look forward to at this time of year. In other words, which plant’s petals spell spring for you?

    My calendar of bloom always begins with hybrid witch-hazels in late winter. The result of crosses between Japanese Hamamelis japonica and Chinese H. mollis, this race of early-blooming shrubs is known botanically as H. ×intermedia. Generally hardy to Zone 5 is the  yellow-flowered ‘Pallida’ and copper-red ‘Diane’, two of the hardiest, which I grow. They invariably begin to flower while there’s still snow on the ground, sometime between the end of February and mid-March.

    Witch-hazels like to be sited in a full sun to part-shade location (I find an eastern exposure works well) in good garden loam. They’re generally disease and pest free although mildew may be a problem in dry summers; always water plants during droughty periods. Hybrid witch-hazel cultivars are usually grafted onto native H. virginiana rootstock, so be on the lookout for vigorous, upright suckers that may sprout from the (hopefully buried) graft union and prune them out as close to the trunk as possible.

    Next on my calendar of bloom come the snowdrops (Galanthus spp. and cvs., Zone 3) and on their heels, several Iris reticulata cultivars (Zone 5), in shades of pale blue (‘Cantab’ and ‘Katharine Hodgkin’) through dark purple (‘J.S. Dijt’). I like to plant snowdrops and early irises together as their brave buds poke up through the retreating snow and flower simultaneously. Hybrid hellebores are the first herbaceous perennials to bloom, and like the early spring bulbs, often find themselves frosted and framed by late season snowfalls.

    Next to burst into bloom are the early crocuses (Crocus chrysanthus and C. tommasinianus cvs., Zone 3), which I plant in layers above daffodil bulbs throughout my lawn in generous drifts. As the crocuses fade, the daffodils take over.

    Luxurious carpets of glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa forbesii and C. luciliae) cover the surface of the rose garden.

    Almost coinciding with the early crocuses are luxurious carpets of glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa forbesii and C. luciliae, Zone 3) that cover the surface of my rose garden, and have obligingly begun to self-seed in my front lawn. Soon, the daffodils, hyacinths and early tulips will begin to flower along with other minor bulbs like hardy grape hyacinth (Muscari cvs., Zone 4) and Siberian squill (Scilla siberica, Zone 5).

    The varied and rapid succession of our fleeting spring blooms can sometimes feel slightly overwhelming — horticulturists call it “the spring glut.” That said, it’s interesting to note that virtually all of our earliest flowers are native to Eurasia. This may not represent an ideal balance, but the bees are undeniably appreciative — we’ve all seen images of ravenous honeybees savaging early crocuses. Early-flowering native species such as hepatica, bloodroot and trillium won’t begin to bloom for several more weeks in my garden.

    But regardless of what you grow across this vast and variable country, I’d love to hear which plants produce the first petals in your Canadian garden.

    Gardening in the summer of Canada's 150th
    Editor’s Note: This weekly series by Stephen Westcott-Gratton celebrates Canada’s 150th birthday in summer 2017. New posts are published Wednesdays.
  • 25 recommendations for favourite bulbs

    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 effort.

    With such a burgeoning variety of bulbs, tubers and corms available, we invited a few gardening industry folks to tell us about their personal favourites — maybe they’ll become your favourites, too.

    Beloved Bulbs

    Note: this is an expanded list of the “Beloved Bulbs” article in Garden Making No. 27, released August 2016, with recommendations from 7 additional people. List is in no particular order.

    1. Robert Wilmott, Vancouver

    Master Gardener and board member of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

    The common snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, is a favourite bulb of mine, available in many cultivars, beautiful for naturalizing in the garden and providing excellent cut flowers. It pops up in my garden beds and grass in late winter and for me is the first indicator that spring is just around the corner. A delicate bell-shaped flower, its nodding petals appear quite fragile yet still happily seem to survive a late winter snow.

    2. Ken Willis, Edmonton

    Head of horticulture at Devonian Botanic Garden

    My favourite bulb is a species narcissus with a long history of garden use: Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus. It signals the end of early spring and the start of the main perennial and shrub blooming season. I particularly enjoy the glowing white of the perianth, which can complement a number of other plant combinations. The bulb is very winter hardy, long-lived, easy to dig up for division and — important here at Devonian Botanic Garden — it is usually deer-resistant.

    3. Karen Achenbach, Annapolis Royal, N.S.

    Horticultural manager at Historic Gardens

     

    Checkered lily (Fritillaria meleagris) is a favourite of Karen Achenbach. (Garden Making photo)
    Checkered lily (Fritillaria meleagris) is a favourite of Karen Achenbach. (Garden Making photo)

    One of my favourite bulbs is Fritillaria meleagris, or checkered lily. It’s a European native with nodding flowers that sport a delicate, netted pattern. They’re a delight to see mid-spring in our rock garden, and because they seed themselves they pop up in surprising places. They were cultivated as far back as Elizabethan times, and are known by many other names, such as snakeshead fritillary, snakehead flower and guinea hen flower.

    4. Liz Hood, Toronto

    Outdoor educator, naturalist and urban beekeeper

    What’s not to love about species tulips (Tulipa turkestanica)? Hardy, floriferous and prone to naturalizing, they attract early native bees like the Adrena  [mining bees] to the garden. Pair these early risers with Muscari, Scilla and Chionodoxa [grape hyacinths, Siberian squill and glory of the snow] for a much-needed hit of colour and life to welcome spring.

    5. Frank Ferragine, Bradford, Ont.

    Author, gardening expert and weatherman, also known as Frankie Flowers

    I love daffodils — ‘King Alfred’ is the perennial favourite. Daffodil bulbs are poisonous to squirrels, they come back stronger year after year and are great naturalizers. Worry-free spring-blooming colour equals perfection!

    6. Niki Jabbour, Halifax

    Author, radio show host and year-round vegetable gardener

    I’m a sucker for the diminutive spring-flowering Chionodoxa, also known as glory of the snow. It grows in both sun and partial shade, resists deer and groundhogs, blooms like crazy for weeks and even self-seeds.

    7. David Hobson, Waterloo, Ont.

    Speaker, blogger, photographer, and weekly columnist for The Waterloo Region Record

    One is enough: Just a single Polianthes tuberosa is outstanding. Tuberose, as it’s commonly called, grows from a tuberous root and blooms August to September, producing a beguiling fragrance to rival any rose. (Flowers are harvested in volume for their oils, extracted for use as the middle note in fine perfumes.) It’s a pretty plant with creamy white tubular flowers along a tall stem. The flowers open at night, and as they do — wow!

    8. Dugald Cameron, Toronto

    First president of the Greater Toronto Bulb Society and co-founder of the specialty mail-order nursery Gardenimport, which closed in 2014

    At Gardenimport, we sold Eucomis (a.k.a. pineapple lily) for more than 30 years with few, if any, complaints. These bulbs are super-easy to grow, needing only a pot, well-draining soil, water and sunlight. They have attractive foliage and spectacular midsummer flowers that last for weeks and weeks. I bring my pots in before frost, put them in a dark corner of my basement and leave them alone until the following spring. They multiply readily so you can share with friends.

    9. Sonia Day, Toronto

    Author, painter and Toronto Star gardening columnist

    ‘Queen of Sheba’ tulip was loved by the late, great British gardener Christopher Lloyd. He introduced me to it, and now I love it, too, for its lily-flowered shape — so elegant — and zingy colour — scarlet rimmed with white. Even better, it has lasted for years in my garden and keeps coming back every spring, when other tulips don’t.

    10. Larry Hodgson, Quebec City

    Gardening tour guide and author

    Larry Hodgson’s favourite spring bulb is a small Iris reticulata called ‘Katharine Hodgkin’. (Garden Making photo)
    Larry Hodgson’s favourite spring bulb is a small Iris reticulata called ‘Katharine Hodgkin’. (Garden Making photo)

    My absolute favourite is a small spring Iris reticulata called ‘Katharine Hodgkin’. It’s one of the first flowers up and has a surprising colouring: pale greenish blue, almost turquoise, with yellow highlights and beautifully intricate markings. It clumps up rapidly, forming dense stands of flowers, and produces a prolific quantity of bulblets. Just dig them up, replant them and you can fill your yard with them in no time. It adapts to any well-drained soil in spots that receive spring sunlight. Hardy to Zone 3 and long-lived, too. A tiny stunner!

    11. Mark Cullen, Markham, Ont.

    Recent Ontario recipient of the Order of Canada for his contributions to horticultural and environmental education

    My favourite spring-flowering bulb is narcissus, which naturalizes beautifully in my 10-acre garden. I’ve planted 20,000 over the past 10 years and they continue to multiply each year. Look for varieties that say “suitable for naturalizing,” as some multiply better than others. (I like ‘Carlton’ in particular.) Narcissus are winter hardy in most parts of Canada, rodent and deer resistant, and they make beautiful cut flowers; some varieties are fragrant. My plan is that my narcissus meadows will outlive me.

    12. Tony Spencer, Mono, Ont.

    Planting planner and writer who writes The New Perennialist

    Nectaroscordum siculum, a lesser-known member of the allium family, snakes up through other plants on a single green stalk, eventually forming what looks like a translucent paper bag on its head. After a few days, the sheath tears open and a cluster of cream-and-ruby bells drops down, dangling over the bed below. Nectaroscordum intermingles exquisitely with perennial companions like astrantia. If you’re lucky, it will self-seed for you.

    13. Sara Williams, Saskatoon

    Author, horticulturist and Master Gardener program instructor at University of Saskatchewan

    My favourite spring bulbs are the Siberian fritillary (Fritillaria pallidiflora), from Siberia, and Michailovski fritillary (F. michailovskyi), from Turkey. Both are perfectly hardy in Saskatoon. The Siberian fritillary is totally adaptable — it tolerates various (well-drained) soils, moisture and light conditions, and naturalizes readily. Michailovski fritillary is very small and cute. You just have to make sure its larger neighbours don’t overrun it.

    14. Colleen Zacharias, Winnipeg

    Gardening columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press and Master Gardener

    In the spring garden, there is no plant more intriguing than Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum). Many plants are selected for their showy good looks easily spotted from across the garden. With Jack-in-the-pulpit, the unusual inflorescence is tucked beneath arching three-lobed leaves, inviting observers to peer beneath. Consisting of a striped purple-and-green sheath-like spathe (pulpit) and flower-bearing spadix (Jack), its inflorescence is reminiscent of a calla lily bloom, except it’s covered with a hood that looks a little like a curled tongue. Native to eastern North America, Arisaema grow from tubers, are hardy to Zone 3 and thrive in moist woodland conditions. If including even a single Jack-in-the-pulpit in your spring display elevates it to elegance, picture the impact of amassing several together.

    15. Kathy Renwald, Hamilton, Ont.

    Garden columnist for the Hamilton Spectator

    ‘Monte Carlo’ tulip is a vibrant yellow with abundant petals. (Photo by Kathy Renwald)
    ‘Monte Carlo’ tulip is a vibrant yellow with abundant petals. (Photo by Kathy Renwald)

    Tulip ‘Monte Carlo’. It’s strong and long lasting, has vibrant yellow colouring, and has so many petals it’s often mistaken for a peony. Just six bulbs have high impact.

    16. Ed Lawrence, Ottawa

    During his tenure as head gardener at the National Capital Commission, he oversaw the 85-acre historical grounds and greenhouses of Rideau Hall, and all six official residences

    My current favourite is Tulipa praestans ‘Unicum’, an early-blooming species tulip with bright red flowers and showy foliage rimmed in white — plus, each bulb produces several blooms! The variegated foliage greatly extends the period of interest. If you have the space and inclination, repeat groupings throughout your property. As species tulips, they’re likely to naturalize.

    17. Donna Balzer, Calgary/Vancouver Island

    Garden writer based in Calgary and Vancouver Island

    There is nothing predictable about spring on the prairies — it can start in late February or in late May. Then it may be dry, revert back to winter overnight or jump directly into summer. So my all-time favourite bulb here is grape hyacinth (Muscari). It’s a hardy little bulb with tough little blooms that are unfazed by drought or extremes in climate. I want my bulbs to please me all the time, not just some of the time, so even though the bulb I love most is a weed in warmer climates, it’s a treasure here in May, when it carpets the prairie ground with intense, blue blooms.

    18. Liz Klose, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.

    Honorary Master Gardener of Ontario and former botanical garden director of Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden in St. John’s

    Tumbleweed onion (Allium schubertii) boasts a double exploding starburst ball, which can reach the size of a soccer ball, or larger. It’s made up of several tiny, star-shaped rose-pink flowers. The flower stalk is short, so place it at the front of a border and interplant it among low-growing perennials that will disguise the foliage that starts to decline once flowers emerge. Resist the urge to deadhead — the seed head provides a conversation piece in the garden for some time. After seeds are dispersed, you can use the flower stalks in dried flower arrangements. This bulb has a huge wow factor in the front of any garden. Whether it be in full flower or dried, it reminds me of a huge magic wand.

    19. Aldona Satterthwaite, Toronto

    Writer and former executive director of Toronto Botanical Garden

    While I appreciate the beauty of most spring-flowering bulbs, I tend to choose those that aren’t decimated by squirrels, or scarlet lily leaf beetle, which sadly is now the case with fritillaries (after all, there’s only so much heartache a gardener can take). I also like bulbs that naturalize, such as narcissi, and some of the smaller ephemerals, such as grape hyacinths (Muscari), snow drops (Galanthus nivalis) and Dutch anemone (Anemone coronaria). As for planting, I jumble everything together in a basket, throw the bulbs around by handfuls wherever I want them to go, and then dig them in pretty much where they land.

    20. Suzanne Hanna, Sault Ste. Marie

    President of the Ontario Horticultural Association

    My favourite summer bulb is the gloriosa lily (Gloriosa superba), a tender vine that can be grown on a trellis in a 12-inch (30-cm) container in full sun or dappled shade. Its red-and-yellow flowers bloom in the summer and are worthy of adoration. In northern Ontario, the tubers are lifted and stored in damp peat moss over the winter. (Note that this plant is poisonous; wear gloves when handling.) A glorious addition to any garden!

    21. Charlie Dobbin, Toronto

    Landscape design and horticultural consultant

    Since I’m a gardener always looking for easy plants with minimal maintenance, I have come to truly appreciate grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum). The flowers are deep blue/purple and look like miniature fragrant grapes. They easily naturalize and the bees absolutely love them. Sometimes the leaves will grow up in the fall — I think they’re just trying to grab a little extra sunshine before winter hits. Once we have a hard frost, the leaves die back and the little bulbs once again wait until conditions are optimal for flowers.

    22. Liz Primeau, Mississauga

    Journalist and garden writer

    Spring is the showiest time in my garden and picking a favourite is hard, but the lily-flowered ‘Ballerina’ tulip is a star. It has clear orange, reflexed, pointy petals centred with a wide stroke of magenta. Fabulous in a clump with dark purple tulips, like ‘Queen of the Night’ or ‘Black Hero’. Big, long-lasting flowers with a lovely sweet scent.

    23. Sarah Nixon, Toronto

    Urban flower farmer

    My pick is scented narcissus, such as ‘Delnashaugh’. Critters don’t eat them and you can plant them near deciduous trees to get spring sunlight before trees leaf out. They take summer drought, and are a good cut flower. Before mixing cut narcissus with other flowers in a vase, let them sit in water on their own overnight in order to expel the toxic sap that can kill other flowers in an arrangement.

    A display of ‘World Friendship’ tulips. (Photo by Michel Gauthier)
    A display of ‘World Friendship’ tulips. (Photo by Michel Gauthier)

    24. Michel Gauthier, Ottawa

    Executive director of Canadian Garden Council/Conseil Canadian Du Jardin

    I would go with the ‘World Friendship’ tulip, the official tulip of the World Tulip Friendship Society. (I should mention that I’m the chair of the society.) I like its yellow colour and the distinctive shape of its petals. It was named during the 2013 World Tulip Summit in Istanbul, and reminds me that I proposed to my wife in Istanbul!

    25. Lorraine Johnson, Toronto

    Writer, urban farmer and native plant advocate

    I’m a sucker for blue flowers, and native Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) is one of the best—especially since it blooms in early spring when we’re starved for colour. The tubers of this ephemeral woodland plant spread into glorious, cheerful colonies.

    (Recommendations condensed and edited.)

  • Why don’t my daffodils re-bloom?

    Why don’t my daffodils re-bloom?

    Daffodil on Garden Making Instagram by Gary Hall
    Daffodil on Garden Making Instagram by Gary Hall

    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 personal salad bar.

    Here’s a checklist of what keeps daffodils happy from year to year: 

    • A sunny location. They will tolerate part shade, but produce fewer flowers in shade. 
    • Well-drained soil. Like most bulbs, they dislike sitting in soggy soil, especially in summer.
    • Proper planting depth. Make sure there is about three inches (8 cm) of soil over the top of the bulbs at planting time. Space standard-size daffodils two to three inches (5 to 8 cm) apart.
    • Allow the leaves to fully ripen after plants bloom. Don’t remove the foliage or braid it, cut it or trim it until most of the leaves have yellowed and died back. This is hard for most people to do — daffodil foliage begins to look ratty after the flowers are finished, but this is the stage when bulbs are bulking up for next season’s bloom. It’s fine to remove the flower stalks, but leave the leaves alone.

    You mention that your daffodils flowered the first year after planting, but then not again. Because the bulbs you planted had already produced what they needed to bloom the following spring, you had beautiful flowers that first spring. However, if the foliage was removed before it had a chance to ripen — or there was too much shade, soggy soil, etc. — then they wouldn’t have been healthy enough to produce flowers in their second year.

    Do you have a question or information to share?

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    If you have something to suggest, please do so in the comments section below. We know gardeners always have lots of information to share.
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  • Recommended flower bulbs

    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.

    ‘Fantasy Creation’ muscari changes from the usual purple to a mossy green. Photo from Veseys.
    ‘Fantasy Creation’ muscari changes from the usual purple to a mossy green. Photo from Veseys.

    I’ve been pleasantly surprised by a lot in my gardening education, including how I can plant a bulb one day and get a beautiful flower a few months later. I may have channel-surfed one time too many in the middle of the night, because when I think of planting flower bulbs, that catchy phrase “Set it and forget it” jumps to mind. I’m happy to have found such an easy and rewarding way to grow plants, though I’d be just as happy to have that phrase out of my mind for good.

    But this post isn’t about how easy bulbs are to grow, or my excitement at browsing the beautiful and colourful bulb catalogues that arrive in the mail and on my computer screen. I decided to reach out to a few bulbs companies based in Canada to find out what they think is new and exciting this season, as well as what they recommend for new gardeners. These guys are the experts, and have been importing, selling and planting bulbs for a long time.

    I spoke to John Barrett at Veseys, Pamela Dangelmaier at Botanus and Caroline deVries at Flower Bulbs R Us, and I’ve summarized their favourites below.

    There are two muscaris on John’s list — ‘Golden Fragrance’ and ‘Fantasy Creation’. I’m not a big muscari fan, but these two are different from what I’m used to. ‘Golden Fragrance’ is yellow, not the usual purple, with light lavender tops. ‘Fantasy Creation’ is the purple that we all know so well, but it’s a double, and therefore much thicker and — dare I say — fluffier. Later in the season it turns to a mellow green. Other pluses are that ‘Fantasy Creation’ doesn’t spread as easily as other muscari and it blooms longer.

    ‘Dark Dimension’ hyacinth could bring some drama to your garden. Photo from Veseys.
    ‘Dark Dimension’ hyacinth could bring some drama to your garden. Photo from Veseys.

    Another favourite of John’s is ‘Trepolo’, a new daffodil that looks like a star thanks to its white petals and orange-yellow split cup. He also recommends ‘Galactic Star’ a soft white-and-yellow frilled trumpet daffodil. Daffodils are great if you want something deer-proof — Bambi doesn’t like the taste of these bulbs. For a unique, dark-coloured plant next spring, he suggests trying the new ‘Dark Dimension’ hyacinth. It’s a deep, midnight-sky purple, a colour that I’m drawn to because of its novelty.

    Two new tulips John recommends are ‘Snow Valley’ and ‘Dance Line Double’. ‘Snow Valley’ looks like it’s made of fabric or paper; its white petals have a pink fringe and green streaks up their sides. ‘Dance Line Double’ is, as the name suggests, a double tulip that may have passersby wondering if it’s even a tulip. It’s white with red striping.

    The last recommendation from John is ‘Ping Pong’ allium, and — you guessed it — it looks like a ping-pong ball. White, ball-shaped and even about the same size, they could be the little bouncing balls of your garden next spring.

    dasystemon tarda
    Tulipa dasystemon are mini tulips that naturalize, often flowering longer than other tulips. (Photo from Botanus)

    Pamela at Botanus has several favourites in a few different categories, including a new introduction, ‘Moulin Rouge’, a Triumph tulip that changes colour — a “changling”, she says. ‘Moulin Rouge’ starts white, changes to yellow and then ends with stripes of blazing red.

    Pamela pointed out to me that there are several underrated bulbs out there, and one she wishes people paid more attention to is a mini-botanical tulip called Tulipa dasystemon. These little bright yellow-and-white tulips flower for a long time, and last for years, not diminishing over time like some hybrid tulips.

    Pamela also likes ‘Akebono’, a bright yellow late double tulip with light red and green edging. They bloom in late spring, which is a bonus if you’re looking for some flowers that can help you keep colour during the spring to summer transition.

    Two daffodils Pamela recommends are ‘Cheerfulness’ and Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus, called old pheasant’s eye. ‘Cheerfulness’ has white double flowers with yellow in the centre. Old pheasant’s eye has been around since the mid 1800s, which says something for its lasting appeal. It’s a late bloomer, very fragrant and a good choice for gardeners who want heirloom flower bulbs.

    Pamela’s top pick for crocus is snow crocus ‘Blue Pearl’. Crocuses are one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, last for years and are easy to grow. ‘Blue Pearl’ is purple with a glowing yellow throat.

    For a bulb with size, stamina and impact, Pamela’s top choice is ‘Globemaster’ allium. Starting as tight, round purple balls, they expand to massive “globes” on sticks.

    Caroline at Flower Bulbs R Us shared a few colour trends she has been noticing — namely white with orange, purple and red. When asked what unique bulbs stand out in her mind, she passed on this list:

    Camassia ‘Leichtinni’ (purple); any white or pink muscari; ‘Flaming Spring Green’ tulip (white petals streaked with red and green); ‘Francois’ Triumph tulip (white); and ‘Ice Stick’ tulip, a new Kaufmannia (white petals with pink streaks and yellow centre).

    When it comes to Caroline’s personal favourite tulips, she goes for the tried and true, ones she knows perform well and will give her the biggest bang for her buck. Here’s her list of top, proven-to-perform tulips:

    ‘Ivory Floradale’ (creamy white); ‘Garant’ (yellow); ‘Gavota’ (maroon petals with yellow edging); ‘Queen of the Night’ (maroon-black); ‘Maureen’ (white); ‘Renown’ (vibrant pink); ‘Menton’ (rosy pink with subtle orange highlights).

    ‘Menton’ tulips are a favourite of Caroline's. Photo from Flower Bulbs R Us.
    ‘Menton’ tulips are a favourite of Caroline’s. (Photo from Flower Bulbs R Us)
    ‘Queen of the Night’ tulips are a striking brownish-maroon. Photo from Flower Bulbs R Us.
    ‘Queen of the Night’ tulips are a striking brownish-maroon. (Photo from Flower Bulbs R Us)

    All three bulb experts gave me a lot of options, some of which I’m hoping to plant in my front garden this fall.

    If you have a favourite bulb, one that you’re eager to try this year, or any other comments about what bulbs you’re planting this year, please share in the comments or email me at [email protected]. My favourite plants consistently turn out to be ones that are recommended to me, and I’m sure it’s true for many of us!

  • Last-minute narcissus

    Last-minute narcissus

    Beautiful ‘High Society’ narcissus (Photo courtesy of Veseys)
    Beautiful ‘High Society’ narcissus (Photo courtesy of Veseys)

    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), and they’ll be with you forever. I’ve been sticking them in all around the feet of a beech hedge along the street, and my hope is that they’ll soften the look of rough earth there.

    I ordered a collection of yellow narcissus, and what I received is a collection of pink narcissus. What? The selection includes ‘Chromacolor’, ‘Extravaganza’, ‘Perfect Lady’ and ‘High Society’. I’ve never grown pink daffodils, so this will add to the challenging spring season ahead. My sensibilities are all a-tingle, picturing these pink narcissus with my purple-black hellebore. I guess the word is going around that I need to broaden my perspective, and grow some new and unpredictable plants. Okay, okay, I’ll do it.

     

    Other posts by Judith this week:

    Posts by Judith last week:

     

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