On this bleak Valentine’s Day, while 3-foot snow drifts still cover the main borders, a patch of earth at the south wall breathes spring. Crocuses and snowdrops rush into bloom as fast as a retreating snowbank frees them. I’ve written before of the species crocus in love and praise. Nothing can shake my devotion nor … Read more
Ring-around-a-roasting at the foot of a gray birch, twenty dazzling-white spring snowflakes nodding at the turn of a path, a company of bright-eyed kaufmanniana tulips; perching lightly in a rocky crevice, a flock of tiny canary daffodils that seem ready to wing. There’s something about the miniature bulbs that’s more fauna than flora, more fairy … Read more
The first requirement of practically all bulbs is good drainage. Providing this is probably the most important part of planting them. If bulbs seem short-lived for you, check how well the water drains from your soil. If puddles stand around them, bulbs are in trouble. One way to ensure good drainage is to plant on … Read more
Discovery of the little bulbs that will grow for you is rather personal business but highly rewarding. As to the hardiness of certain kinds, much depends on your location. The kinds listed here are quite cold and hardy practically everywhere in this country. Anemone The Grecian windflowers, A. blanda, tough but winsome daisy-like flowers four … Read more
There are two ways to plant hardy spring-flowering bulbs. You can be impetuous, impatient, and in a hurry (like me)—and get them on the ground the day the mailman delivers the package. Results? Pink hyacinths are too close to the ‘Red Emperor’ tulips. Naturalized daffodils that divide so fast and furiously (because of shallow planting) … Read more
Following the early bulbs, alliums are of growing interest for garden accent and color. Kinship with the onion is well disguised in most kinds, although A. schoenoprasum, with pretty lavender clover-like flowers, is the chive itself with leaves that are tasty in soups and salads. Allium Molly A. molly has twinkly yellow flowers, ten inches … Read more
Bulbs are for everyone who grows plants or who arranges flowers. They’re for beginners who’ll give them a minimum of know-how and care and for experts who take great boundless patience and skill. There’s no end to their usefulness as garden plants and no limit to their value as flowers for the home. In early … Read more
The daintiness and gaiety of the early spring flowering bulbs are a heartwarming sight following the dreary bleakness of winter. Plan now to prepare your garden for its showing next spring. Snowdrop The first snowdrop (Galanthus) will open its frail-looking blossoms weeks before spring has arrived, and the perky winter aconite (Eranthis hyevialis) with golden … Read more
Why wait for spring when bleak winter clays can be bright with early flowering bulbs? Designed for busy people and limited window space, these cool-flowering bulbs, often called “the minor bulbs” are easy to grow indoors. Small bulbs are inexpensive too, but for best results avoid bargain leftovers from outdoor planting. Only plump healthy bulbs … Read more
Perhaps you’ll want most of your bulbs in the flower garden with other flowers. Daffodils are pretty there, in clumps of named varieties set midway across a border—although the tiniest kinds belong right at the front. Tulips too in clumps of six to 12 alike make fine garden color early in the year. When tops … Read more