Iโve placed a small order for spring bulbs โ late if I had wanted new or rare varieties, but there is still plenty of choice at Botanus, Breckโs, Flower Bulbs R Us, Phoenix Perennials and Veseyโs. Because we have a large squirrel population, I concentrated on adding a few more daffodils as well as early crocus because they are so easy to pop in here and there.
Although I eagerly anticipate and appreciate the arrival of blooming bulbs every spring, I donโt enjoy planting them in the fall. There have been years when I havenโt planted any at all, but I end up regretting this lapse the following spring.

If youโre still in the process of deciding what bulbs to order online or search for at your garden centre, here are some strategies to consider:
โขย If youโre looking for tulips that return more than a year or two, choose long-lasting Darwin tulips.
โข Looking at your garden now โ when everything is in full leaf โ is a good way to find places where summer and fall perennials will hide fading bulb foliage in spring. See โPlanning for Spring Bulbs.โ
โข Itโs definitely time to order snowdrops. These harbingers of spring need to go into the ground by the end of September.
Evaluating a pesticide study
Hereโs a thought-provoking, possibly controversial, article on a study of the impact some pesticides may โ or may not โ have on our bodies. The author discusses the implications and limitations of epidemiological research reports based on observational studies.
Vertical gardens of Paris
The concept of green walls first germinated in Paris with Patrick Blancโs project at Citรฉ des Sciences et Lโindustrie in 1986. Considered the inventor of the vertical garden, Blanc also designed and installed the 8,600 square foot exterior of the Musรฉe du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac with 15,000 plants from 376 different species, completed in 2005. More on his green walls and how theyโre constructed here.
Topiary goals
And you thought you were a whiz with your hedge trimmers. Take a look at the collection of photos of this topiary garden in a small town in South Carolina, created by Pearl Fryar. The challenges and obstacles Fryar faced to make his garden are even more inspiring than the towering whimsical topiaries he created.
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