|
Do you want to plant bulbs so that you will have blooms from early spring until late spring? Then I have a few suggestions for some late spring blooming bulbs, names and descriptions.
Narcissus- The gunus, Narcissus, gets its botanical name from Greek mythology. The English name Daffodil is now accepted as the common name ofr all species and varieties of Narcissus. The name Jonquil,however, properly belongs to only one small group fo Narissus, the species N. jonquilla, and its varieties and hybrids. Daffodils are native to Europe, the Mediterranean region and east. The modern botanists have classified about 30 species. The many different forms are useful garden subjects, bring much beauty to your spring gardens and are easily grown in any reasonably good soil. Now some of the smallest varieties I feel are better suited to your rock gardens. There are some varieties that are adapted to wild gardens, or to borders of flower gardens and for forcing indoors in the winter. This is just a matter of personal preference in the area or beds you choose to plant the Narcissus.
Tulipa- This is the botanical name of a popular spring flower that is derived from the Persian word, toliban, turban, which the inverted flower was supposed to resemble. It does belong to the Lilly Family and actually grows wild over a great territory from Asia Minor through Siberia to China. The Tulips seen in gardens today are usually complex hybrids or seletions from wild types that have been developed over a period of centuries. In l629 there were l40 varieties and there are many more today. Nothing can be easier than growing Tulips as you plant the bulbs in November in almost any soil. They should be planted deep about 6-8 inches in a medium light loam soil with some humus and sand. The bulbs should be lifted and stored in a dry place during the hot summer months. There are many varieties of Tulips such as: Early Single Tulips, Early Double Tulips, Triumph Tulips, Late Tulips and also Cottage, Darwin, Parrot and Lily-Flowered tulips.
Hyacinths- There are over 30 species of Hyacinths, mostly native to Africa and regions as far north as the Mediterranean. They were actually mentioned in garden literature as early as 1596. The Dutch have certainly made a specialty of Hyacinths and grow them with the greatest of success. The method of propagation is very involved, cuts are made across the base of the bulb and along these cuts the young bulbs are formed, then removed and grown for five years to make bulbs of a selling size. These are usually grown in shaped beds in the lawn ot give spring bloom before other summer bedding plants. In some gardens they can flourish as much as l5 years, in others they last only a few short years.
Scilla- Wild Hyacinth, Bluebell. These late blooming Scillas bloom in May, coming with the late Tulips and Lilacs. They are much taller than the Squills, growing to about six inches or a foot. They actually look like miniature Hyacinths, and are sometimes called the Wild Hyacinths. Some call them Bluebells. They are inexpensive to purchase and can be planted in shady places in masses, with Ferns to provide folige after their foliage has died down.
I do hope that this information on late spring blooming bulbs will help you to make the decision to plant them all around your home.
|
| |
