Yes, I know it’s only September. But I’m thinking ahead towards spring! For color and perfume in April and May, I recently ordered some gorgeous tulips and daffodils. Here’s a look at these autumn-planted beauties, along with a couple of bulb buying-and-planting tips:
Tip #1: To obtain the best bulbs at the best prices, be sure to visit an online bulb-dealer. I obtain most of my bulbs from Easy to Grow Bulbs.com.
Tip #2: If, like me, you garden in a cold climate, try to plant your bulbs no later than mid-October. They need time to set roots before the ground freezes. From what I've read, rooted bulbs undergo a chemical change that permits them to survive for several months in frozen soil. Apparently, rooted bulbs make their own "anti-freeze."
Here are some of the tulips and daffodils I've ordered for bloom and perfume in spring 2016:
Narcissus 'Erlicheer.' Blessed with 7-15 fully-double, creamy white, powerfully perfumed blossoms atop each stem, this tazetta daffodil really takes the cake. I've grown it both indoors and out. Ht: 10-12 inches.
N. 'Pink Wonder.' White petals, a ruffled pink cup, and a sunny yellow "eye" -- there's nothing about this daffodil that doesn't send me over the moon! Ht: 16-18 inches.
N. 'Bell Song.' We can thank Grant Misch, the world-class daffodil breeder, for this sweetly-scented, pastel-pink-cupped variety. Ht: 12-14 inches.
Tulipa 'Angelique.' The fully-double flowers are splashed with pink, white, and rose. I can't wait to see this fragrant floozy in my garden! Ht: 16-20 inches.
Tulipa 'Fringed Mascotte.' Another newbie for me. The raspberry petals with serrated edges are irresistible. Probably I will hold back a few bulbs for indoor-forcing. Ht: 16-20 inches.
T. 'Foxtrot.' Can I confess something to you? I'll buy any tulip that's named after a dance. This one offers fragrant, peony-like flowers in multiple shades of pink. Ht: 12-16 inches.
T. 'Dreaming Maid.' Who can resist this purple-splashed beauty? Not me! Ht: 20-22 inches.
T. 'Christmas Marvel, or, as I have seen it listed elsewhere, 'Christmas Dream.' Many years ago, I forced this pale-pink number in my bedroom window. And guess what? It bloomed in December! This time I'll plant the bulbs on the other side of the glass. Ht: 12-18 inches.
In the coming weeks, I'll show you some other colorful creatures I've planned for 2016. Meantime, let me know if you are looking forward to a fun season of bulb-planting!
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More fun:
How I Force Tulips for Indoor Bloom
From Hellish Hill to Serpentine Garden
House Tour Part 5: The Kitchen
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