Bulbs: Rocks as Bulb companions, 1 by critterologist

critterologist wrote:
LOL, Kent! I would also find a leporid skull quite startling -- especially if it had nasty, pointy teeth!!

Somehow, I can't seem to find a picture that shows the 3 large rocks that are spaced around my semicircular patio... not only do they help to define the space and to direct traffic & corresponding sight lines toward different areas of the back yard, but they also are great to sit on!

Well, here's a photo of one of the rocks, with 3 of my young friends from down the street. This one has no bulbs around it (yet), but it does have a rosemary in a sort of raised planter made from more rocks. Also, there are creeping thyme and creeping phlox between the big rocks and the edge of the patio. The chile pepper bed in the background of this picture is also known as "the future formal herb garden." A stepping stone pathway will start behind the girls and zigzag through the bed. I'm planning to plant creeping thymes around the stepping stones, and now of course you've got me thinking that some small bulbs would also be a good addition there.... Saffron crocus, of course, but what else?

Oh! I did put spring crocus bubs in the spaces between the rocks, extending several feet out from the patio. It was easy to plant them before reseeding the areas that they tore up putting in the patio. The crocus blooms fared better than the new grass last spring.... those areas of the lawn need additional help!

The biggest of those naked lady bulbs I've been greebling about are planted up along the largest rock (really a boulder), and the middle rock has some gladiolus tucked in at one end, but that's about it for bulbs there at the moment. I can see I will either have to find or take some more pictures!

I've been enjoying planting & planning around my big patio rocks!