The First Daffodil

As I was cleaning up outside yesterday and dead-
heading the sad looking pansies, I saw a bright glimmer of hope for things to come: the first daffodil of the season. I have really been worried about spring blooms after our record breaking lows from the past few weeks. I lost some of the pansies in containers, a few snapdragons, and all of the kale. These plants usually do fine in our winter weather, but these Arctic fronts have taken their toll on Texas plants this year.
I was starting to see bulbs poking up before the fronts paid us a visit, but not realizing how really cold it would get, I wasn't worried. It was after it started to thaw up a bit I noticed all the freezer burn on the foliage. I wrote Southern Bulbs and asked what they thought about the daffs and tulips here in the Dallas area. The answer was:
"Your daffodils and tulips should be fine and bloom for you this spring (although the foliage was covered in ice and snow for 4 days). The most important thing is that the daffodils and tulips were not budding or in bloom when the freezing weather came and sat down on Dallas/Fort Worth. Damaged foliage can recover from freezing those temperatures, but a bud/blossom cannot. So, expect healthy daffodil and tulip blooms this spring!"
Such good news!! But pessimistic me was still rather skeptical..until I saw this pretty little flower nodding in the breeze. I am now seeing more buds on the daffodils, and I do see a few tulips starting to come up. It was lots of work planting the bulbs, and the disappointment of not having their spring show made me really sad--but looks like my harbingers of spring are ok after all.

A Beautiful "Tulip" Day!

Today is tulip day! The bulbs have been in the refrigerator now for about 8 weeks, so it's time to get them in the ground. I thought my Mother wanted me to plant some in her garden, but she decided there was no more room-so..I planted 60 bulbs in my little backyard today. And what a perfect day to be in the garden. It was sunny and warm (temp was 67 at planting time-which explains why we have to chill our tulip bulbs here in Texas!) After some much needed house work this morning--I couldn't wait to get outside.

I don't use a bulb planter like I bet most of you do. I like to use this old, ugly, slender spade. It has a sharp point that is great for digging down into clay soil. I was somewhat worried about digging up existing bulbs as I went, but only came across a few. I had 6 different types of tulips-mainly yellows and reds which I planted in between the pansies. I bought 10 all white bulbs that I planted together out under the bird feeder. I added lots of red pepper, then mulch to this area to try and discourage pesky squirrels. The last group of bulbs were white with red edging. I planted them behind the flagstone patio--again with red pepper on top. I never know whether I should plant only one color tulips, or plant lots of colors but always group the colors together (which I think I heard in class is the right thing to do.) But I like red and yellow mixed together so much-I usually mix the bulbs together in a pot, then toss them here and there. I never mark where I am planting as I LOVE to have surprises popping up in spring. By the time I finished planting and peppering and mulching..I was ready for a break. Nice afternoon snack--warm pumpkin bread right out of the oven! Ummmm--what a beautiful tulip day!

Hope you had a good day today!

Bulbs! What is going on??

I have been waiting for all my daffodil bulbs to arrive so I can get them planted. This afternoon I met the UPS man at the door when I heard him drive up. I knew the last of the bulbs were here at last. A couple of weeks ago I went to a Master Gardener Meeting and heard "The Bulb Hunter" speak. He was a wonderful speaker who has a company called Southern Bulb Company. He has hunted bulbs all over Texas. Very interesting story--go here and read all about it. After the program, we were able to purchase a few varieties of bulbs. I bought Lilac Wonder tulips and Golden Dawn narcissus which I planted today. I also ordered heirloom daffodil bulbs from Old House Gardens. That's what arrived today. You know how I love fragrance in the garden, and it's no different with bulbs. I always try and find the best bulbs for Texas that have the best scents. I planted 3 types today: Sweetness, Trevithian, and Campernelle. I also planted some of these last year. Which brings me to the next subject....what is going on with last year's bulbs?

Do you see what I am finding in my yard..
Daffodils are coming up in front and in back..look at this!
And look how big this one has gotten. Oh dear, oh dear. I talked to a master gardener expert, and she said this same premature sprouting is happening in every one's garden around this area. She thinks it is because we had that a cold spell, then quite a warm up soon after. Are the poor bulbs confused? I am not sure, I just know I don't want to be disappointed this coming spring when I watch for spring blooms and see none. My MG friend said to be sure and mulch the appearing bulbs very good. So not only did I plant today, I mulched--and mulched again. It turned out to be a perfect day for planting. Right after I finished tucking the bulbs in the ground and covering with the mulch, a soft rain started to fall. I sat on the patio and watched the delicate rain hit the flower beds and pictured what these beds will hopefully look like in a few months. I have tulip bulbs chilling in the frig-I will plant them in December. That will end my gardening for a while I guess. As much as I like to be out getting my hands dirty, I look forward to sitting in front of a fire for a while and dreaming of gardens yet to come!

Bulb Update

It's raining...

again, but before the rain started coming down hard, I decided to check out my bulbs. These daffodils are in front and have been around for years. As you can tell, they have been up quite a while and I think I see signs of flowers. (or is that wishful thinking!)

Also in front, and also older bulbs, these are daffs to the right and Early Louisiana Jonquils to the left. The Early Jonquils are heirloom bulbs I planted many years ago. They are transplants from one of my Mother's neighbors. My very favorites! You'll hear more about these I am sure in future posts.

Now for the newbies. I bought several different kinds of daffodils last fall. When I planted them I took a popsicle stick and marked them all. But, bad decision on my part. Our bad weather has completed destroyed the markers, so-all I know is that these are new. Looks like 2 different kind to me.
This is the bed I planted lots of Breck bulbs in. This is a great place to let them naturalize. You can see them just starting to come up. This area is the one I was worried about due to poor drainage. Guess all the bulbs did not rot, but I don't see as many as I know I planted. Hopefully there are more to come.
Just starting to see these hyacinths. I planted a few new ones, but there are some from last year too and I do not remember exactly where they were planted. New, old--I am just thrilled to see them!
There are many more daffs

"spring"

ing up and I was really happy. But I knew something was missing..the tulips! Where are the tulips? I reminded myself that daffodils are early and tulips come much later. On a closer inspection this afternoon I do see this bulb just starting to peek through. I have to really look good to tell hyacinth from tulip, but I am pretty sure this is a tulip. Oh, I hope there are more...lots more! I planted so many this year. They are all planted on either side of the flagstone path leading from the house to the flagstone patio. Last year I had several and the view from the house was just beautiful. I knew I needed to plant lots in fall, which I did, but not sure how our weather is going to affect them. I read that it is not uncommon for bulbs to rot in years that are really rainy, and well...that has been us this year!

I know Phil the Groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter, but coming out everyday to check the progress of bulbs is one sure sign spring is looming around the corner!

Paperwhites are blooming!

In the rush of Christmas and planting outside bulbs, I almost forgot to buy my Narcissus Paperwhite bulbs to force inside! I ran into Home Depot hoping to find some, and sure enough, they did have a few left on display. They came in a pack of 4, which was enough for me so I just bought 1 package. These are so easy to force. You just position them in potting soil, water some, put them in good light or by a window..and just wait.

It wasn't anytime before they started to shoot up. I kept them in the kitchen at first, but they starting growing so tall, I had to move them to the family room. It's funny though, every year it seems like there is always one that grows much taller than the others. Why is that??
And now, I have pretty blooms starting to open. See the red ribbon? Once the paperwhites start to bloom, they have a tendency to fall over. Top heavy I guess. I picked up a ribbon I had and tied the stem to a green stake which solved the problem.
I don't have many house plants, but I think this little group adds a nice touch of "garden" to my home. Just what I need on these dreary winter days! (One note: Paperwhites have a rather "unusual" scent which does bother some.) If you have never forced bulbs, you need to try it. It will brighten any one's day!





"A flower touches everyone's heart!"

Georgia O'Keefe

December

The turkey and pumpkin pie are all gone. Fall is put away. The Christmas Tree is up! And gifts are....well, no gifts yet, but that will come. And I am happy to announce..
the bulbs are in the ground!
I ordered all my bulbs except for some hyacinths online this year. I am really hopeful I will have some beautiful flowers in spring.

From Brecks, I ordered 3 different types of daffodils: Spectrum, Quail and Replete. The Spectrum and Quail are yellow and are suppose to be very fragrant. The Replete was Brecks 1995 Daffodil of the year. The 4" blooms begin to open as ivory-white petals. As they unfold, they are yellow-orange hues that quickly change to a rose-pink! Doesn't that sound fascinating! Actually, I planted only one of these at my house. I planted the others at my Mothers. I thought she might really enjoy watching them change. And, Tina--I did what you suggested and planted 3 types of hybrid tulips: Darwin, Triumph, and Daydream. The tulips are mixed colors.
Then I planted 4 types of daffodils from Old House Gardens. I mentioned this catalog in a post last spring. They sell "unique, endangered and amazing bulbs." These bulbs, as you might guess, are kind of expensive since they are heirloom, so I only planted 3 of each kind: Sweetness, 1939; Campernelle, 1604; Trevithain, 1927; and Jonquil, Early Louisiana, 1612. This Early Louisiana is one I already have, but it came in the sampler package that I ordered. All of these daffs are suppose to be very fragrant. I can tell you the Early Louisiana is the most fragrant bulb I have ever seen!
The one thing I worry about is all the rain we have had. I just hope the bulbs do not rot. I don't ever remember having a problem like that, but I planted all these in the back, and our back has just been saturated. It rained again this week and I hear there is more to come. According to the Farmer's Almanac, this will be a cold wet winter for Texas. All I can do is hope that some wonderful sunny day in February or March I will walk outside and see the green tops of daffodils and tulips shooting up all over the garden.


"It is a greater act of faith to plant a bulb than to plant a tree!"
Clare Leighton

My Favorite Spring Flower

These cute little things are without a doubt my very favorite spring bulb. They are Jonquil, Early Louisiana (N. Jonquilla, 1612). They have the most delicious scent you will ever smell! I keep a watchful eye ( and nose!) for these cuties to start blooming in the spring.
Aunt Debbi (Aunt Debbi's Garden) has some of these and posted about her blooms a few weeks ago. On the way back from Canton Trade Days 2 weeks ago I also saw some along the side of the highway. However, I have never seen the bulbs in the garden centers.
I got these as pass-alongs from my Mother's neighbor. Mother would tell me stories about growing up in the country, and having these jonquils on either side of the road that led to her house. What a sweet memory! I thought the only way to get them was as a pass-along, but my wonderful neighbor's sister gave me a website where you can order them! (Thank you Jane and Sally!) Old House Gardens sells Heirloom Bulbs. You can buy them online, or they have a catalog you can order--which I immediately did! It came in the mail this weekend, and I will tell you there are lots of good things to order. Even if you don't want to place an order, it has very good information in it about all types of bulbs.

This is how they describe this little Jonquil:

"The sweetest smelling flower your grand-

mother had in her garden...It's clusters of nickle-sized flowers with tiny cups seem made for fairies."

Now, who could resist these precious little flowers!

Do you have a favorite Spring bulb?

Hyacinths

Don't you just just Hyacinths! I only have a few, but goodness they make my entire little backyard smell wonderful..and they are such pretty flowers!
I chilled mine in the frig along with the tulips for about 6 weeks. They were the first bulb I saw start to appear in early February.
Practically the minute they start to come up you see the buds-so many of them! I love to watch each bud open until you have a beautiful flower.

I have 2 different colors; purple and this light pink. The pink is so much more bushy than the purple. After reading my bulb book, I discovered that hyacinths are one of the easiest bulbs to force inside. They even have special forcing glasses just for hyacinths. You know how I love to force blooms inside, so it is already in my notes for next year to try these. The only thing, I'm not sure about is that sweet scent. I love, love it outside-but will it be overpowering inside?
I have grape hyacinths in front mixed in with the pansies, but they do not bloom until much later for some reason. It is a real pleasure to walk out the back door and see the pretty showing of these hyacinth bulbs and smell that sweet scent. Another reminder that spring is on the way!

"It is a greater act of faith to plant a bulb than to plant a tree!"

Clare Leighton