Super snowdrops

What a gorgeous little clump of joy nestling in the shelter of the camellia bush.  These giant Galanthus are a delight after the cold winter days of this winter.  60 degrees forecast tomorrow then back to 19 overnight Tuesday and another cold cold week.  Goodness this is a strange year.  The poor plants won't know whether to start growing or stay in hibernation!!!  Though I have to say there are green spears of daffodils appearing all over the garden as well.  Tough little things huh?  And so cheering to see.  The promise of spring.

Spent some time on the sunny rock garden planting mini daffodils and tulips -a little late really for those minis as they usually bloom so early but that's ok they will still bloom -they will just be a little later this year.  The tulips are fabulous and perennialize much better in the south than their bigger showier cousins.  They work really well in the outdoor slightly larger fairy gardens too - they are sooo cute.

It was great to get out into the garden after so many wet or bitterly cold weekends too.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you have a wonderful gardening year too.

Here is a clump of my giant snowdrops they are so uplifting on a grey day and so brave to withstand the storms and the frost don't you think?

I tried to add a picture of the cheery yellow Narcissus Grand Soleil d'Or -a little beauty, especially so early.  It reminds us of the joys of gardening and the lift to our spirits when we see the early growth or new blooms.  Anyway, the photo keeps turning sideways on me -how do I turn a picture selected for the blog?  Can anyone help me with that?  It is the right way up in my computer files!!

I planted a bunch of the exquisite miniature tulips in the fairy garden together with the mini iris reticulata, so I am looking forward to a fabulous display in that corner of the garden early this spring.

Anyway, it is not too late to plant spring bulbs they will just bloom a little later.  Daffodils especially, will still be fine, I aim to spend time this coming weekend planting more lovely bulbs.  We still have a selection available at the warehouse in Greenwood SC   We also have a few double Amaryllis Blossom Peacock and some paperwhite Narcissus for sale.

Let us know if you still need anything.  Also if you would like a copy of our new spring catalog call us at Marlboro Bulb Company on 1-800-999-0567 or email info@marlborobulb.com We would love to hear from you and share any or your gardening stories.

Gladioli

And here are the gladioli -it is amazing how well the bulbs keep.  i try to plant every 3  weeks through the summer so I have a succession of blooms for cutting.  they are especially welcome at this time of year.
The cannas have done really well this year too, especially the ones from tissue culture.
Now we have grape hyacinth leaves (Muscari armeniacum) leaves coming through.  They make great groundcover through the winter.  Also loads of paperwhites are showing -Narcissus Ziva and also the Super paperwhites, have leaves about 6-8 inches tall already.
what an amazing day -77 degrees with wall to wall sunshine -gorgeous to be out there tidying up and cutting flowers.  We still need more rain though; I also had to water some of the beds -unbelieveable for late October.

fall is arriving

Cut the grass and picked a late bunch of dahlias and Gladioli -I plant at intervals so i still have some flowers to cut at this time of the year.  They are just beautiful

Bulbs again

I hope the contrasting pictures help to prevent disappointment in planting bulbs that then don;t give a good show.  Even if you onlyhave a few bulbs -it is still much better to plant in clumps rather than try to spread them out too much.  for a more formal approach especially with tuilps you might like to plant staggered rows to give depth.  In other words plant one row  about 5 or 6 inches apart, then behind that plant a second row about 5 or 6 inches back and in the spaces from the first ones and if oyu have the bulbs plant a third row also.  Hope this helps.

fairy gardens and miniature gardens

The latest buzz from the Ohio trade show is of fairy gardens and miniature gardens.  Check out our catalog for all the miniature bulbs we carry and remember we can get far more than in out catalog or on the website www.marlborobulb.com we carry a range of delightful miniature daffodils and just beautiful miniature tulips.  Those little gems are such a joy and they are great perennials -even in the south! They are the botanical and gregii tulips and when they open their little faces to the sun they really do open out completely.  Find an area by the edge of your rock garden or in a flat pot or container to make your own miniature landscape for the deck or patio. there are miniature iris reticulata as well as daffs and tulips.   There are small alliums botanical crocus, delicate looking chonodoxa and ground hugging eranthis.  there are plenty of miniature ground cover plants too.  Fairy gardens can be lovely for indoors too.  Isn't it amazing how ideas just keep flowing setting you off on yet another tack?  there are always new creative initiatives for the garden to keep you on your toes and maybe add a touch of fun or whimsy to your outdoor living areas.  Gardens are ever changing ever developing works of art to reflect you and your family.  Dive in -have fun experiment grow young and fit and enjoy the elements and the seasons.  try a miniature area near a stepping stone where it will be seen.  i have a stone already with a quote form a childhood poem by Rose Fyldeman -"There are fairies at the bottom of our garden..."  I need to check out the rest of the poem and start to develop my little miniature landscape -mmm hope the weather is good this weekend!  Happy gardening.  Let emknow if you need more specific suggestions for plants or email us at info@marlborobulb.com Hope to hear from you soon.