SAME DAY SERVICE
Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursday, February 13, 1997 23
Show time is near. The first daffodils are blooming provid-
ing a preview of the coming extravaganza. A dazzling choir of
delightful bulb beauties is preparing the ode to spring. The
masses of yellow and multi-colored daffodils and diminutive
pastel crocus lead followed by tulips, hyacinths, ranunculus,
anemones and iris.
The dazzling lily leads the chorus for the summer show.
Freesia, gladiolus, dahlias, and liatris play colorful supporting
roles. The latter
three will hold
theirenchanting
notes through
fall.
What a
show, and such
an easy one to
produce. Bulbs
are simple to
plant with a
trowel or a bulb
planting tool.
Plant them with
their tips facing
up or in the case
of iris with the
flat side up.
Mostimpor- , ::..,, i
tant, plant all
bulbs in well-drained soil. This can be a challenge in our area, so
double dig your beds and mix in plenty of compost. Water the bed
well and check to be sure the water drains. Bulbs will turn mushy
and die from rot if they stand in saturated soil.
The bulb stores enough nutrients to feed the plant through the
current season, but it needs to be replenished each year. When
you plant mix in a handful of bone meal to help the plant store
food for the following season. Bulb foliage feeds the bulb to help
build up stores, so don't cut it back until it turns brown. This
denouement is not beautiful, but can be hidden by planting other
flowers that will cover the bare, browning leaves and stems.
Don't give in to the temptation to remove the foliage too soon,
or you will destroy the bulbs capacity to regenerate. Part of what
makes bulbs so appealing is their ability to return year after year,
bigger and better. Many will multiply in the ground, called
naturalizing You a bonus When young and iivide them
every three or four years.
The bulbs, rhizomes, tubers and corms (commonly all lumped
into the broader category of bulb) listed here all boast a myriad
of varieties in a full scale of
colors. Have fun experiment-
ing with new hues and shapes.
For a more dramatic presenta-
tion, orchestrate your planting
in masses or clumps of one color.
The bulbs listed in this show
are only a sampling. I selected
them because I have grown them
all in my Pahrump garden. This
will be my third gardening year
in Pahrump. Like many of you,
I started with bare land. There were no trees, no shade and no
protection from our blistering sun and tearing wind. Their only
nurturing was well prepared beds. All of them sang a lovely
melody and survived to perform another season.
Each year I try new bulbs or new varieties. Giant Alliums
joined last year's chorus. This year I plan to add Mexican Shell
Flowers for summer bloom and more varieties of gladiolus and
dahlias. I started planting anemones and ranunculus late fall and
will continue to plant them for another month or
more. They just keep singing.
Gardeners who have created micro-climates
in protected areas have a much broader range to
play and can include bulbs that thrive in the
shade. Bulbs also perform well in pots providing
a serenade for the patio, the garden and inside the
house. I brought potted lilies with me, and
they still put
on a brilliant
show from
late spring
through fall.
You can
always find a
spot to add a
few more
bulbs. Clumps
of daffodils,
crocus or
dutch iris in lawns provide a
delightful surprisereminiscent
of wandering in a wild wood-
land. The only special require-
ment is to delay cutting the
grass until bulb foliage dies
back.
Bulbs are splendid. The
only problem I know is that I
often dig them up when I'm
planting annuals in the beds.
Digging carefully to try to feel
them helps. Planting annuals
from seeds rather than plants is
an even better solution.
Enjoy your spring chorus.
But, know if want it to con-
tinue through summer and fall
now is the hour to begin buy-
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ing and planting more bulbs. Buy soon to get the best selection.
Keep the bulbs cool and dry until you plant them for the
upcoming show.
Listen...your bulbs will be singing your special song. Happy
gardening.
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