Spring? -or the calm before the storm!!!

Two beautiful days gardening as this long winter drags on.  It seems we are getting another winter storm tomorrow and Wednesday.  Still in the midst of all the chaos to come, as it will -the south is definitely set up to cope with snow! Here are a couple of shots to chase away those winter blues and remind us of the promise of the fairy child's gift of spring.

Daffodil Rijnveld's Early Sensation

Species Crocus Bluebird

Those early daffodils are always so delightful and that splash of yellow so cheering.  And as for the species crocus -so so sweet  The snowdrops are still blooming to and the first winter aconite - or Eremurus   The species tulips are also showing their tips above ground.  Can't wait for them.  I planted more this year.  They come back for several years too.

 

oops not Eremurus but Eranthis! What was I thinking???

Double daffodils, Iridescent Iris and Help???Mystery

What a glorious time of year -with so much in bloom and so much colour.  A twelve month garden is a must -every day is different, every day a joy to walk around and see what new leaf or bud has emerged.  And it is no so difficult to acheive with colorful barks and early blooming shrubs like Lonicera Frangrantissima and hammemalis and Edgeworthia to name just 4 ideas.  Of course the drawbacks are there too as the weeds also start to flourish -but the beauty outweighs the weed.  The daffodil above is the double Ice King.  It starts off more yellow in the centre then turns to white -heavenly!

And here is Crocus bluebird a dainty species crocus -only planted in late Dec.  Next winter it will bloom earlier.  And here is the lovely Iris reticulata

 

And what is this????  This daffodil and a few others like it are blooming in a clump of N. Ice Follies.  Is it a sport?  Has it reverted?  Or has a virus affected that clump of Ice Follies?  This is a real mystery daffodil.  Any ideas out there?

 

 

And still planting!

Planted yet more daffodils -Carlton and the little cyclamineus Narcissus Jenny.  She is a little beauty with swept back white petals and pale lemon trumpets that fade to a creamy white.  The little species crocus are still blooming despite 26 degrees C on Friday night.  The Narcissus Grand Soleil d'Or likewise are still giving a great show.  They looked pretty flat and dejected on Saturday morning but soon recovered in the sunshine.  And the snowdrops -my goodness they have been incredible this winter.  The first ones were open on Dec 9th and I still have giant snowdrops in bloom.  The few muscari also have braved the cold so far to keep on blooming.  The first yellow crocus were open today -the species one E. P. Bowles.  People are missing out not planting more of the little species bulbs.  They may be smaller but they pack quite a punch at this time of year.  I love them. They are wonderful around trees and on rock gardens, in planters and in the front of borders.  Also if oyu have a mini Fairy garden as opposed to a micro mini you will find they look awesome there too.  If I could upload a photo I would.  Oh and before I forget, the first yellow daffodil Rijnveld's Early Sensation opened today  and there are quite a few in bud following on its heels.

Now I am having trouble uploading any photo -the option to browse the computer files seems to have disappeared.  Wish I were more of a hi-tech girl!  There must be an easy way to find my pictures.  So help needed again please!!!!

Still planting!!!

The weather is awesome isn't it?  Well, it is here in sunny South Carolina!  I was planting bulbs yesterday and today -I even got up early so I could plant for an hour before going into the office at Marlboro Bulb Company.  We have had a cool fall/winter so the bulbs are still in very good shape.  I was planting daffodils, iris reticulata, miniature and greigii tulips which perennialize well in the south.
It feels good to be digging and planting.  Many daffodils are through already of course though it will be a while before they bloom.  I am hoping for a really good spring this year after the night frosts we have had so far. 

There is still time to get bulbs to plant before Christmas or help work off that huge Christmas meal! Or as last minute Christmas gifts -the gift that lasts and lasts. We still have a good range of minipacks with their beautiful color picture -just right as stocking fillers or put a few in a basket as a lovely gift. The mini tulips and the small bulbs also work so well in pots -they can be planted up, left outside and then brought in just before they bloom to enjoy inside.  They are also gret planted in layers over larger bulbs such as tulips or daffodils in pots.  And of course we still have some awesome Amaryllis. Don't forget, here in the south, they can be planted outside in the garden after the last frost date to give joy in coming years outside. Further north keep them until the leaves dry out then stop watering and repot in the fall for next year.

The rain here was really welcome -just what we needed to wake up those dormant bulbs already in the ground. It has been so dry in South Carolina this fall.  My first giant snowdrops are already blooming though and the winter honeysuckle with its heavenly scent is displaying its gorgeous little white blooms -they will last for a couple of months. It is a straggly bush but is a great addition to the winter garden if tucked away and the blooms will fill a room with their fragrance. Let me know if anyone locally would like any cuttings!

 

To purchase bulbs  or request a catalog, you can email me or call 1-800-999-0567 or locally of course 864 229 1618 or email info@marlborobulb.com  You can call also and arrange to visit the warehouse  -Marlboro Bulb Company, 2424 Hwy 72 - 221E, Greenwood SC 29692  www.marlborobulb.com is our website.  Our new spring catalog is also out now and the Christmas holiday is a great time to sit and relax with the new catalog and choose items to plant in the spring for keeping those blooms coming through the summer.

Have a wonderful and happy Christmas, and if you are traveling -keep safe.

Happy Planting

fall bulbs

Well I did get quite a few bulbs planted of all kinds -daffodils, tulips, iris, mini tulips -they are such good perennials -iris, crocus, eranthis and alliums, muscari -so I have been busy there as well as rehearsing for the latest play -Miracle on 34th Street in Fountain Inn -that opens tonight Dec 7th at 7.30pm -need more info on that? Call the box office on 864 409 1050  And I am coughing still -oh dear, hope I can keep that under control on stage!!

Still trying to get all that winter weeding and tidying up done as well though. 

We still have fall bulbs available at the warehouse in Greenwood SC, also minipacks and Amaryllis for those last minute Christmas Gifts!  Call us on 1-800-999-0567 or email info@marlborobulb.com You still have time to plant, especially here inthe south.  This is a great time to plant now the soil has cooled down.  Make sure you water well though to get those roots growing.  It has been so dry around here.  Happy Planting!