Happy New Year Bulbous Friends

Happy New Year to all the Bulbsters. Peace and sweet blooms to all .

Here in Zone 9 the early Narcissus like 'Ziva' have been in bloom for several weeks triggred by the early, heavy rain in Oct and Nov. My 'Ziva' are starting to fade, but 'Ariel' and 'Bethlehem' are still looking good. 'Golden Rain' looks bright and cheery, but I only seem to get a few blooms each year from the clumps I planted.

This is N. Ariel which is a tazetta type. It is shorter and stockier than Ziva so it is especially nice for pots as it doesn't flop over. Also the bloom clusters are large. Got mine from McClure and Zimmerman, a couple of years ago.

Chris

chris, do you get your early narcissus locally or thru mailorder? have a fave source? I planted Golden Rain Fall 2009. Noted info on Ariel. will look for it.

N. Golden Rain

Small but colorful double blooms. A nice change from all the white ones.
taken Jan 02.

Chris

N. tazetta Bethlehem

A tall, pale yellow, that is later than Ziva. (I think the flash washed out the pale yellow, but it does look soft yellow, especially when compared to the bright white types.)


Chris

chris, can we persuade you to post those in the PF? I know there is none of Ariel right now. I haven't cked the others yet. Golden R. is awesome. can't wait for it to bloom. I think I got my bulbs from B&B

Hi vossner,

My sources are all mail order. I am 'picky, picky' about getting a specific cultivar and many of my local garden centers just have a generic 'Paperwhite'. Sources I trust are Brent and Becky, John Scheeper/Van Engelen, and Mc Clure and Zimmerman. If I really want something unusual or rare I go to Old House Gardens or Bill Welch, aka
billthe bulbbaron.com, who grows them in Carmel Valley. He is an expert on tazetta and has a great selection including his own crosses. Both sources are expensive but the quality and size are top notch.

Chris

I have something bad to say about VE, but I will reserve my acid comments until I get confirmation next spring, lol.

I love bill the bulbbaron, I will have to add him as a narcissus source. I will need to try Mc & Z for narcissus, have never purchased from them. And of course, OHG is my source when I really want to treat myself.

My HD has Ziva reduced to 4/$4.95 but that still seems high to me. I plan to keep chking frequently from now on to see if I can get a bargain. I guess I don't mind the flopping too much since they will be in a woodland setting.

Nice flowers Chris.

oooo luv N Golden Rain. I have added those to my list for my SW garden as not hardy for the north. Thanks Chris. Nice to see some spring in AZ Marie ^_^

I love the little Ziva and the N. Ariel. They are both so sweet. Do they have fragrances?

Ziva is fragrant but I wouldn't wear daffodil perfume, lol. Don't care for the scent. It is nice if you walk by, you notice something sweet in the air. But, stick your nose right into it, not so good, IMO