MOST BULBS TAKE UP LITTLE ROOM and give a lot in return. This slideshow includes some of my favorites, many of them animal-proof. Come along and see what they are. Click the first thumbnail to get started, then toggle from slide to slide using the arrows beside each caption:
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
I think Claude Shride is the most beautiful lily there is; what an absolute treasure. And the seed heads are so attractive, too. Lucky to have a place to grow tulips for cutting without messing up the displays in your spring garden. I’m trying to combine them (space and sun limits) and I’m not sure that it isn’t a losing battle.
How deep do you plant the tulips in the veggie beds? I love this idea, esp since for me tulips are finicky and don’t always return.
I was wondering if you have had trouble with getting bulbs, especially narcissus to naturalize. I’ve planted many bulbs over the years only to see them decline and disappear despite planting them in appropriate sunlight conditions. I’ve wondered if this was due to the acid soil in my area. In addition, I read a newspaper article by Martha Stewart which listed species of narcissus that were superior naturalizers but unfortunately I misplaced the article when it was bulb purchasing time. I would be interested in your comments.
Welcome, Sandra. All the “why didn’t my bulbs bloom” tips in the FAQ above can be the culprit, or planting the wrong variety as you hint. Start with this list (and call them or another high-quality bulb dealer such as the ones in my sources above) to further narrow the list for your conditions and climate. See you again soon.
Thank you Margaret. The tips were helpful…it may be the competition from nearby tree roots that are contributing to the decline of my narcissus.
Wonderful slideshow and you identified a fritt that no one else could name.
Martha
Welcome, Martha; glad to help. I love the Fritillaria and used to have numerous kinds…but strangely the skunks (which is what Fritillaria smell like!) like to dig up all the little ones. This one has survived to see another spring, however. See you soon again too, I hope.
Hi, I always wanted to do a tulip cutting garden in my vegitable raised beds. Tell me how to do it as the timing is off. My tulips are out now and are almost done. The green dies down in about a month too late to plant crops.? Which crops do you put into the beds with the dieing down leaf matter? do you start them from seed or larger? I usually do my garden from seeds except the tomatoes. My tulips usually don’t last more than three to four years. I would rather confine them in a smaller area and then cut them for bouquets.
I would like more information on this. thanks Linda
Welcome, Linda. I have done this for many years with good results. Easiest would probably be to run the bulbs lengthwise down the edges of the raised beds, like an edging of cutting tulips, leaving the middle area open; that way you don’t have to fuss with the foliage and can just leave it and plunk your tomato plants down the middle of the bed (or anything else you like). Depending how wide your beds is you could have a tulip or two in staggered row(s) on each side. My beds are 4 and 5 feet wide.
I have also just planted right in between them, since I put my tomatoes and other vegetable seedlings in young, but it all depends on the spacing of your tulips whether there is enough room.