It's Late Summer and A Gardener's Thoughts Turn To Fall Planted Bulbs

After we moved to what was to become Clay and Limestone we discovered many surprises in the house and garden. Mary Jane, the former owner may have gardened, but at the time of the sale the fall of 1986 the yard was covered with weedy lawn, the Vincas, both major and minor,  a few Phlox paniculatas and ugly foundation plantings.

Imagine my delight the following Spring to discover daffodils everywhere with their great big golden yellow trumpets. They were wonderful, but, trumpet daffs weren't the only ones planted in the rocky, clay soil.

The sweetest small cupped daffs that I had ever seen bloomed just a bit later! It didn't take me long to find out that they were from the Poeticus group (or that there were so many different groups and thousands of daffodils). These gifts from generations past are incredibly special to me. I've divided them many times, but, the garden is so much shadier than it was 26 years ago and they aren't as floriferous as they once were.

The ones in deeper shade are just about ready to open

So naturally, I've had to limb up the canopy trees to let more light in... We're ready, the garden and I, for an increase in Spring flowering bulbs. They'll be more from the Poeticus group and I want
Narcissus 'Carlton'. I bought daffodils labeled 'Carlton' in a big box store many years ago, but, I am not sure they were the real thing and I want the real thing.

don't you agree that Spider Lily really does fit as a common name

Lycoris radiata is blooming right now and  a bigger swath will be a stunning sight along the path in the front garden next August. Although, Spider Lily blooms in August in my garden, it gets planted in the fall along with the daffs and other necessary bulbs!

There are surely more Spring blooming bulbs for C and L and Scott at Old House Nursery is just the guy to talk with about which ones make sense for my Middle South garden.

What are your Spring bulb plans?
xoxogail

Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.

It's A Purple Sensation!

An Allium aflatunense 'Purple Sensation' sensation!

Gee, isn't nature grand!

I hope your garden is filled with sensational flowers that delight the senses.
xxoogail

Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone." She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.