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
glory-of-the-snow
Naturalizing minor bulbs
It’s high season for minor bulbs in my garden, the kind I need to plant only once, counting on to spread into colonies of long-lasting flower carpets year after year. That might sound like fantasy — but it happens! First among these obliging spreaders is glory of the snow (Chionodoxa forbesii), which has up-facing French blue flowers with gleaming white throats. I once … [Read more...] about Naturalizing minor bulbs
Minor bulbs make a big impact
This slow, cool spring is frustrating for gardeners, but good for perennial plants. Their roots are growing in the soil, weeks ahead of first shoots appearing above ground. New root growth enlarges their clumps, and they’ll be better prepared for summer droughts that may be ahead. The cool dampness also prolongs the bulb display, giving us a long look at the spring garden. This … [Read more...] about Minor bulbs make a big impact