Dear Helen: For how many years should tulips last in good flowering condition in a garden site?
C.B.
Most large-flowered tulips will last for three years. Deeper planting than the recommended depth often will extend that time because an increased depth helps to inhibit division in the bulb, which results in a clump of smaller bulbs that might or might not bloom. I once knew a gardener with a tulip planting that bloomed for many years. She had planted the bulbs about 30 centimetres deep.
Among the usual, large-flowered bulbs, those in the Darwin Hybrid class have a reputation for continuing to flower well for more years than most.
Tulips that will “perennialize” easily over the long term are the “species” or “botanical” tulips. These have small flowers and short stems. Most bloom in early to mid-spring. An exception is Daystemon Tarda (10 centimetres in yellow and cream. It usually flowers late April to May.
Peppermint Stick is red and white. Little Beauty is dark pink with a violet-black and white centre. Little Princess is peach with a dark centre.
Species tulips naturalize easily in fully sunny sites that are dryish in summer. They originate mainly in rocky hillsides in Turkey and Central Asia.
Dear Helen: I have a new bed partly planted with shrubs and perennials. Because the plants are still small and I’ve had to leave enough space for them to develop fully, there are bare gaps I’d like to fill temporarily with annuals in the spring. The bed is in sun. What would you suggest?
E.W.
You were wise to check the plant labels carefully and leave sufficient space for future development. In the spring, consider filling in the empty spots with easy annuals such as alyssum, clarkia and white candytuft seeded directly in clumps. Nasturtiums would be another easy outdoor seeder.
Start shorter varieties of ferny cosmos and signet (rock garden) marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia) indoors. Starfire Mix signet marigold (Veseys Seeds) is the best filler flower I’ve ever grown. Each small clump of transplants grows into a fine little bush filled with small yellow, red and gold flowers. They bloom in my garden into late October.
Dear Helen: I have three dwarf apple trees in a long bed of perennials. The ground under them is lightly shaded. Can you give me some ideas for plantings underneath and around them?
E.H.
Such areas are tricky for planting because pruning, thinning and harvesting involves walking around the trees.
Consider planting small, early-flowering spring bulbs between the trunk and the drip line (an imaginary line around a tree, drawn directly beneath the outer branch tips), perhaps with a few primroses in the shadier spots. Avoid planting right up against the trunk.
I like the look of crocuses in a ring around tree trunks, with an outer ring of a showy flower bulb such as “Pink Giant” glory of the snow (Chionodoxa). They will flower before the trees leaf out, and die back quickly.
Patches of low-growing plants such as Campanula carpatica (Carpathian bellflower) at intervals would work. Leave spaces for stepping while tending the trees. This plant, fine for part shade, forms compact, rounded clumps with upturned flowers in blue or white from June to September. Such plants are suitable for planting over the spring flower bulbs.
I have compact plants at intervals under and around my two dwarf apple trees growing by the lawn edge of a perennial bed. One has a dwarf lavender by the lawn and variegated moor grass (Molina ‘Variegata’) plants on either side.
GARDEN EVENTS
Cactus meeting. The Victoria Cactus and Succulent Society meets tonight at 7:30 at First Memorial Funeral Services, 4725 Falaise Dr., in Royal Oak. The meeting room is reached by a path to the right of the parking lot or a ramp at the left-hand side of the building.
View Royal meeting. The View Royal Garden Club meets tonight at 7:30 at Shoreline Community School, 2750 Shoreline Dr. Paul Spriggs will present a slide show on plants that do well in rocky landscapes. There will be a sales table and a judged mini-show. Visitors and new members welcome. Information at 250-220-5212.
