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| Narcissus 'Pink Charm' |
Every spring I tell myself, "Self, I'm going to plant more bulbs this fall." I say this because when spring gets here, I'm so darn glad to see those colorful flowers in bloom after a long, gray winter that I'm nearly delirious from the beauty of it. A little goes a long way when you're flower-starved, but I'm greedy. I want more.
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| Unknown tulip |
And then fall comes.
The summer has been long. Long, because it's once again been so hot and so dry. I'm weary of carrying the hoses around, trying to save my precious plants from an early death due to dehydration. Even some of the so-called drought-tolerant plants look like they're just not going to make it if I don't help them out a little.
So, I'm ready for a break from gardening. Or at least that aspect of it and it plays a big factor in why, when fall comes, the thought of having to plant more bulbs - having to dig holes in rock-hard clay soil - just isn't all that appealing.
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| Hyacinthus orientalis 'Festival Blue' |
But this fall, I did a little more self-talk and this time I said, "Self, you always say you're going to plant more bulbs in the fall. Then you don't do it. Come on and get it done this time." Okay, I do plant bulbs every fall, but not that many. This year, Self prevailed. But now Self is saying, "Whoa...what were you thinking???" Buy one, get one free makes me a little crazy.
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| Narcissus top to bottom: 'Thalia', 'Pipit', and 'Lemon Beauty' |
I'm about halfway done planting a grand total of 792 new spring bulbs. The thought of a glorious burst of color in the spring is what is keeping me at it until they're all safely tucked into the ground. Even with an acre of land here, I'm running out of places to put them.
I remember reading this in a magazine several years ago - "You can always find a little spot between plants to tuck in a few bulbs" - or something like that. It's the horticultural equivalent of "There's always room for Jell-O." I'm not sure though, because so far I've dug up three clusters of bulbs that I forgot were already planted there.
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| Fritillaria persica |
But the bulbs have arrived, and I'll have spring to look forward to more than ever, because of these:
Arum italicum 'Marmoratum'
Crocus chrysanthus 'Prins Claus'
Crocus chrysanthus 'Advance'
Crocus sativus (Saffron Crocus)
Crocus sieberi 'Spring Beauty'
Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant'
Iris histriodes 'Katharine Hodgkin'
Iris hollandica 'Rosario'
Iris reticulata 'Cantab'
Lilium, Trumpet 'African Queen'
Narcissus, Mixed
Tulipa 'Apricot Impression' (Darwin)
Tulipa 'Daydream' (Darwin)
Tulipa fosteriana 'Princeps' (Fosteriana)
Tulipa 'Coors' (Greigii)
Tulipa 'Yonina' (Lily-flowered)
Tulipa 'Flaming Parrot' (Parrot)
Tulipa 'Little Beauty' (Species)
Tulipa 'Little Princess' (Species)
Tulipa batalinii 'Red Gem' (Species)
Tulipa clusiana ‘Cynthia’ (Species)
Tulipa clusiana ‘Lady Jane’ (Species)
Tulipa clusiana 'Tinka' (Species)
Tulipa humilis 'Alba Coerulea Oculata' (Species)
Tulipa pulchella var. violacea 'Persian Pearl' (Species)
Tulipa sylvestris (Species)
Tulipa 'Happy Generation' (Triumph)
Tulipa 'Ile de France' (Triumph)
That's a lot of tulips. There's a reason for that. Stay tuned...
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| Unknown Narcissus sp. |
Photos from Spring 2010 at Our Little Acre
"Bejeweled"
12 comments:
What's the second to last photo? It's like everything I love in a plant, all wrapped into one: dark flowers and silver foliage.
I was going to ask the same question as Fern...I cannot wait to see your bulbs bloom...that's a lot!
Wow Kylee, I'm impressed! Happy planting!
You will be so proud of yourself next spring when you see all of those bulbs popping up. The colors will lift your spirits right out of the snow and cold.
Oh wow hun! Congrats!! What a show you will have to look forward to. I too have been busy, but only about 250 bulbs...lol. You go girl! Mine are mostly those that will return and drift. We have been in the house 4 years and I am hoping for a big show each spring from now on!
Wow. That's all I'm sayin! You must be exhausted -- but I can't wait until the spring to see all the beautiful photos. You'll need to be getting a wide angle lens for your camera!
Fern ~ I meant to caption the photos with the IDs and forgot to do it, so thanks for the nudge! That one is Fritillaria persica, which I actually meant to get more of and forgot. The tulips did an "Ooh, shiny!" number on me! LOL
Darla ~ I'm thinking the same thing right not. That's a lot! LOL
Linda ~ Want to drive down and help me? I'll cook dinner! LOL
Lisa ~ And THAT is the reason I'm doing it. :-)
Brooke ~ But 250 is a lot, too! You're very smart to plant those that will naturalize well. I'm betting you'll keep planting more each year, too!
Diana ~ I've been working this week, so didn't get any planted yet, but hopefully I'll get them all in by the end of the weekend. I actually do have a wide-angle lens on my camera, so I'm ready for the show! :-)
Good for you for following through! You've inspired me for next year. And next year I'll figure out where the bulbs will go BEFORE the bulbs arrive! :-)
Good for you, Kylee! Your spring display next year will be spectacular, even moreso than usual.
Wow Kylee - respect to you for all that planting (and shame on me for doing none!)
That fritillaria is stunning :)
Wow Kylee you are going to have a riot of colors next Spring. It will be so much more enjoyed by then.We all are so ready for colors after the white winters. I will enjoy yours with you because I gave up after planting 116. LOL!My vision of rivers of Daffodil blooms coming down between the Maple trees in the yard will not be happening because of all the roots but they are planted along the woodland bed. Best laid plans do not always work out.LOL!
WOW! 792 bulbs. That is going to be amazing next year! I only have six for this winter on my little garden.
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