Keeping with the recent theme of gems, I recently caved and did a bulb order. A very large one.
The largest one yet, in fact – and that’s remembering the very first post of this blog titled, “1000 Snowdrops”.
I’ve only done one bulb order of any reasonable size in this garden, which wasn’t a trial. That created the bed of Crocus in the Corner border where the dahlias are. The mix of three different types of crocuses flowering in succession through winter means this – and currently only this – area of the garden erupts into vivid colour early in the year and is the only noticeable patch of colour until the Camellias light up the garden with pinks and reds from March.
Since the originals were planted, there’s been a gap of a few years where I missed the bulb planting season in autumn for various reasons and it was going to be the same story again this year, however I just about managed to sneak an order in. It’s the equivalent of walking into a shop ten minutes before closing time.
Cue me online-ordering trade quantities of bulbs (at only a few pence each) and suddenly I have added over a thousand more flowers to the flowering count at a very difficult time of year, with just the click of the mouse. The crocus we have previously planted are already pushing up through the soil, their grey-green leaves already breaking the surface before the year is out. Joining these will be a mix of crocus varieties that are the same as I already have (so I can extend the existing patch and blend in) as well as new varieties – as why restrict ones-self?
While there are several other late winter bulbs such as snowdrops, winter aconites and daffodils, I was so taken with the original patch of crocus that I want to extend this to every border in the garden. Ultimately, I want to end up with every border planted with many thousands of crocus bulbs, all flowering in late winter creating a disco-floor display of vibrant colour, when it’s needed the most.
This latest bulb order will let me complete the crocus planting in the Corner Border and also make a good start in bringing crocuses to another border, I’m just not sure which one yet. What I am sure of is that if I do managed to get my bulb order planted, the Spring display is going to be stellar!
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