The parade of daffs is coming to an end (but but not that quickly, happily, thanks to a cold front that came through a few nights ago) and the Hyacinths are all but done with. Now we have a few days wait for lilac, Allium, Cercis, Amalenchier and Lupine to bloom. It’s a brief pause while the garden takes a breath. No rest for the gardener though! Grass needs to be mowed regularly at this time of year and those weeds won’t pull themselves! I’m happy to join Jim at Garden Ruminations again this week for Six on Saturday, where gardeners around the world share six things that are happening in their garden.
As I mentioned, Narcissus have been fading away the past few weeks and now there’s just one variety still to bloom (N. poeticus). Two that started over the past week are these beauties:
The penultimate daffodil to bloom in my garden is N. Hawera. Sooooo tiny! I didn’t realize when I purchased and planted them exactly how tiny, and made the mistake of planting bunches in the grass, where they get lost quite easily. (I’m moving them, slowly, into more appropriate spots each year). Here’s a successful (I think) grouping of M. armeniacum, N. Hawera and Leucojum aestivum:
Speaking of Leucojum, I’ve discovered that the bulbs multiply quite readily and I’ve been able to divide an original dozen into many dozens that are now gracefully bobbing their Lily-of-the-Valley-ish flowers above the fray. Sadly, they lack the fragrance of that much smaller flower. Happily, they don’t spread via rhizome like the much smaller flower.
If I had more tulips this pause in my garden likely would be unnoticeable. But I don’t; I didn’t plant anything new last fall which means between natural decline and chipmunks there’s only a dozen or so blooms. One that has surprised me is this Fosteriana type – Exotic Emperor:
I’ll leave you with a photo of garlic planted last fall in a raised bed. There’s not nearly enough to last a year but likely just enough to stay in good shape through the fall in winter. Have a great weekend everyone!
I agree, the grouping of spring flowers works really well. The tulips are gorgeous and remind me that I really need to plant tulips in autumn!
Right about now is when I’m missing tulips…the daffs are all but done and there’s a few tulips here and there but I need more!
I found T. fosteriana (and species) tulips come back reliably and if I can keep the critters from them may order more. 🦌🐿️ I like your trio of blue, yellow and white!
Yeah, I think I’ll be looking to order more T. fosteriana very soon..
Since I’ve only seen a few individual Leucojum managing to bloom here and there, I didn’t realize they’d clump so nicely, or become so tall. Yours really are attractive, although that white tulip is pretty darned nice! I was surprised by that tiny narcissus, too. Its color is pretty, and pairs so well with the blue (Muscari, I think?)
A fine looking crop of garlic.
So far so good!
I planted Leucojum last year and I am hopeful it will thrive. I intend to move the bulbs that form to other locations in the yard. Garlic does look great.
How are the Leucojum doing? Blooming?
Yes, it has bloomed. It may be my optimism but it seems to have spread some this year.
My mom gave me a clump of Leucojum around 40 years ago. She called them lily of the valley but I would never tell her that was not their true name. Momma passed away in 2011 & when they come into bloom, I remember her with a full heart & in my mind I think of them with the name she called them. .
The flowers themselves look exactly like Lily of the Valley, don;t they? I love memory plants/stories like yours…they make a garden a special place.
Leucojum is so pretty. I think it is worthy of more attention. Galanthus are unavailable from nurseries here, and, although they are available by mail order, they are unheard of in gardens. Anyway, Leucojum is what we know as snowdrops instead.
Definitely worthy of more attention! One of their better qualities is the foliage tends to die back relatively quickly after the flowers fade…unlike daffodil leaves that can hang around until mid summer!
I like their reliability. Not many bulbs are reliably perennial after the mild winters here.
Your garlic looks very healthy! Good idea to have planted it in the fall because it hardy enoughl. Here I planted it in February and the onions and shallots in March. Superb picture with the Leucojum and the muscaris.
Thanks Fred – I’m looking forward to some tasty and fresh garlic in a few months.
Nice bulbs! garlic included. I can never figure out when to plant it.
I know it grows in southern California (I can vividly recall driving through the central valley north of L.A. one summer many many years ago when an open top truck loaded with garlic passed by…the smell…) but will it also grow in your hot and humid region?
yes, there are warm season varieties (have you seen purple?) but the actual season I am not sure about?
Sadly, my Daffodils are done. Some of the Tulips are fading with the warmer weather, but some are still full and bright. Like you, I’m looking forward to the next round of beauties to bloom–all part of the cycle. Enjoy!
Thanks Beth – it’s been a lovely spring so far!
Your daffs have been glorious Chris, and have lasted ages too. Hopefully the gap with no tulips will be short, before perennials kick in. Tulips don’t last long anyway, and we also have creatures digging them out/eating them here. I am rather envious of your snowflakes and hope my handful will eventually fill out like that!
Our climates are somewhat similar – I bet your Leucojum will be very happy on your slopes!