Bulbs: The rewards of planting 7002 bulbs in 2007, 1 by bbrookrd

bbrookrd wrote:
Gemini, I have planted many tulips which do come back. Some I would rather have disappear as they don't look good where I planted them or I don't like them and of course those are the ones that never seem to fail. After a few years I expect that they will disappear. I do add to the ones I love so they keep coming up. I did move some in bloom this year as they looked hideous where I planted them. I must have mixed up a bag or two and planted them in the wrong spot. I keep extensive journals on DG and thought I had them all nicely matched with others, but a few were just bad color combinations. I will be interested to see if those that I yanked out return. But I do love the surprise of it all.

I don't do anything except dead head them and as they are planted in the mixed border, they get random routine feeding. Osmocote mostly. DH is the feeder and he just did all the beds with a sprinkle. We are not very organized about maintenance. I have read that they do best in beds aren't too moist and that dry out some during the summer . I only water when things begin to wilt, and as I have a well, I am rather stingy. I let nature do it as much as I can.

oneanjl, I don't ever dig them up or plant in pots, but I order many species ones and Darwin's that have a chance of returning. But there are some I just can't resist ordering even if they don't return. I figure they are expensive compost.

Vossner, Great plan. I have narcissus in partial shade in many places and they do fine. We use an electric bulb auger that has a good sized head. It is well worth the price of 20 bucks. DH drills and I stuff then we cover together. Sweet. Here is a thread about it http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=4243770

Tazzy, thanks so much, it must be my Tulsa Blood that had me go nuts with planting them all. My 93 year old mom who still lives in Tulsa came out for Christmas and planted the last 100 with me. She is not a gardener, but did always take us to Woodward Park and to play in the gardens at Philbrook. Fond memories. She sent me an article about the bulbs in bloom this year at Philbrook and said that I better get going as they planted 14,000 last fall. I think I will pass, but I do have a nice bunch of bulbs already on order. But my garden mentor as a child was a nurse and her husband from Sandsprings. She took care of us when my parents traveled and my big treat was to visit their little house in Sandsprings that had no yard, just luscious gardens and a pantry full of yummy things they put up. She would not be impressed with my veggie garden. I will try to do better in their honor. Mr and Mrs Gant.

I still have tulips and narcissus blooming as well as some minor bulbs Here is a little college of some out on Friday. I have to do the garden pictures today as lots of Iris now out along with many perennials. The rugosa roses are starting too. Must be summer. Patti