In an earlier post I established that Tulips are better than Narcissus. However, as a socially responsible garden blog, I endeavor to present multiple points of view and also to comply with the Equal Time Rule (Communications Act of 1934, 47 USC Sec. 315). Although there are limits to everything, so please don’t ask me …
We are now right in the middle of tulip season. So many varieties to show you! Where to begin? Perhaps with the shy but charming Tulipa clusiana, also called Lady Tulip. I have two varieties of Lady Tulip, ‘Tubergen’s Gem’ and ‘Chrysantha’, and damned if I can tell them apart. They’re both really nice, though! …
When I speak of the springtime blues, I do not refer to a feeling of melancholy. Rather I mean the blue flowers that bloom in early to mid-spring. I am always cheered by these, as blue is one of my favorite flower colors. Perhaps the Queen of the blue flowers in this season are the …
Let me stipulate that everything is beautiful in its own way, you can’t say one flower is better than another, and so on. However. Really you can say that some flowers are better than others, and when it comes to spring bulbs, Tulips are better than Daffodils. This isn’t just an opinion, it is backed …
Of course you also need rain, but it’s the fresh green leaves of April that herald the flowers of May. For some this tender new foliage is barely noticeable, certainly unremarkable. However, to me their appearance is a moment of cheerful drama. For example, the blue-green leaves of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) which are among …
Today I am a happy man, for the tulip season has begun in earnest in our garden. What, you say, tulip season in the middle of April? Yes, indeed. First, Tulipa kaufmanniana ‘Early Harvest’ has come into its own, blooming in both beds and containers. The no neck phase was just a period of awkward …
The spring bulbs in our garden are starting to transition from the first to the second act of their annual performance. In my garden, the first act is about just the Snowdrops and Crocuses. The Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis and G. elwesii) are just past their peak. Some early Crocus (various species) are fading, but are …
More good progress on garden cleanup this weekend. Mostly on Saturday, which was cool and sunny. Sunday was cold (about 32 degrees F, or 0 C), so I didn’t put in as many hours outside. My biggest single cleanup accomplishment was digging out the containers planted with tulips. They had been buried in the cutting/herb/vegetable …
For the last two years I’ve had nothing to show for the March Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. This year, though, is different. For that, I am grateful to the Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis and G. elwesii) in my back garden. Thank you, Snowdrops! In both 2013 and 2014, our …
To be honest, I’ve never purchased anything from Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, (I usually order bulbs from John Scheeper’s) but I feel justified in writing a review because they are enthusiastically recommended by one of my instructors at the Chicago Botanic Garden. And I should mention that Brent and Becky’s plants are grown organically on their …
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