One way to jerk yourself up by the bootstraps is to place a big fat optimistic order for spring blooming bulbs. Do it when the temperatures at home are, say, 104, on a dog day of August. Get a big glass of ice tea, park your butt in the chair in front of the computer, and shop with flippin’ abandon. I did and I feel better already.
Here’s the lineup. Part of the plan is to plant the Bunker Hill Peonies together for a big statement, and tuck the Sicilian Honey Lilies in with so the deep rose of the bells picks up the deep rose of the peony. We shall see. I’ve had crappy luck with the nectoscordum bulgaricum, they come up and lay right back down on the ground. Their long scrawny necks streeeeettttttcheeeed across the sidewalk or the flower bed. What’s with that? I asked the folks at Brent and Becky’s and they suggested planting them twice as deep and in more sun. Okey dokey.
Trying the blue alliums after seeing them in all their glory at Red Butte Gardens in June. Wowsers.
Then, Frances of Faire Gardens told me about Narcissus Audubon. Of course, had to have a 100 of those. And how about that delish Crocus bi-florus ‘Spring Beauty’?
I definitely needed more Perestroyka tulips. Plant them in a place where they will be backlit at sundown. You’ll thank me later.
And finally, since I am having such bang up success with lilies these days, I am going to tuck in some pink species lilies.
If I start digging holes now I might be ready when the shipment arrives.
Bulb ordering each summer feels a lot like picking out swim wear in December! You have to or the best will be gone! You’ve chosen some beauties and now I am inspired to order more! gail
Gosh, yes, start digging those holes! You are going to have a fabulous display of blooms this coming spring!
There’s nothing better in mid-summer than lilies. They laugh at drought and high temperatures. You will love them.
Bunker Hill peonies, is that a variety or a place where you bought them from?
Dear MaryAnn, I am so happy that you had fun with the bulb ordering! It is a good way to take you mind on vacation during the high heat of summer to a kinder and gentler time, early spring! And thanks for the linkage, my friend. You won’t be sorry about Audubon. The peony/lily combo sounds dreamy.
Frances
All your talk of bulbs and the gorgeous spring flowers they yield are making me wish I had a yard–or any outdoor space, for that matter. Even so, it’s fun to imagine what I would be doing with my garden right now if I had one!
Every day I look at my task list and there it is–order bulbs. So many bulbs! I just can commit. I suppose today I’ll paste them all to the wall and toss some darts.
Between deer and drought and the bulb-eating dog, my options are a little limited! But I did order several new varieties of Narcissus to add to my collection. Love your idea of digging holes now! I’m usually too busy the first of December when we’re supposed to plant and the poor bulbs lie around until after the first of the year. Your selections sound wonderful.
Variety. I got them from Van Engelen. But we have the notorious Bunker Hill mine in N. Idaho.