Another new bulb - Iris bucharica

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This sort of jumped out at me today and I had to pick one up without hesitation (or any research).



Iris bucharica
(Photo by Michael Wolf used under CC license from here.)

The leaves are so un-Iris-like I'd have never guessed it was an Iris, if it weren't for the flowers anyway. I was musing about using Iris reticulata 'Cantab' in the warmest part of my back yard (along with the purple crocus and Snowdrops) but I think this will take that position.

This spring it should be interesting to see all the new plants and bulbs start to flower and fill in.

'Tis the season... for bulbs.

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In my front yard around my Hosta 'Captain Kirk' I'll be planting this combination of bulbs.


Iris reticulata cvv.


Crocus chrysanthus 'Romance' (I've planted this one before and been very impressed with the show it puts on. I think I had it mixed with an even lighter yellow/white that I may also try to track down again.)


Galanthus nivalis - Snowdrops

Most likely Iris reticulata 'Harmony' towards the back of the garden. This will keep the taller leaves away from the hosta and help keep it a little tidier looking. I'll have several groupings of the Crocus chrysanthus 'Romance,' possibly interspersed with a light yellow/white variety. Towards the front (all over the place ideally) I'll have the Snowdrops. I also have just gotten a purple Pasque Flower (not planted yet) and a Primula marginata ‘Mauve Mist’ that may decide to join the party. The colours should all work together so I'm looking forward to seeing how that all works together.

In my back yard I have a space under my Clematis which is probably the first reliably snow free spot in my yard. I've got a handful of dark blue NOID Crocus there already that I've just transplanted this year. I will add a few more purples, maybe some 'Harmony' and a bunch of Snowdrops.

I can't see myself doing too much other bulbs planting this year but we'll see. So far nothing else has really caught my eye but of course we'll have to see. I may also just pick up an extra bag of Snowdrops and tuck them around in different places.

Bulbs are here!

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Setting up bulbs today, what to buy...I'm thinking at least Iris reticulata, Snowdrops and possibly some sort of Allium, will have to see once everything's been unpacked.

Sort of unrelated but late last night I walked past a large grouping of some sort of Datura. The smell was fantastic. I think maybe next year I might need to look into getting one of those as well.

Snowdrops & More

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I went for a walk today to break in my new work shoes. Ouch. I should have been doing that a while ago but with only a days notice for starting... Well, three band-aids on my right heel, 2 on my left. It will be a fun day hauling cinder blocks around.

Well anyway on my walk I decided to have a look at a tree I've seen from the car and always wanted to find out what it is. I was right:



Abies concolor - probably subsp. concolor

I've got a bit of an evergreen crush on Abies concolor subsp. concolor. But not even close to the space to put one. And I tend to overcrowd. But not with trees, shrubs or evergreens. That way leads to hideous permanent pruning mistakes.

I also noticed this patch of Snowdrops in front of a Euonymus.



Galanthus nivalis

The pairing with the white variegated leaves might work well but unfortunately the white of the Snowdrops just makes the Euonymus look drab. They would probably work better against a very dark green background like you might get from a Yew (Taxus sp.).

I'll likely get some snowdrops this fall and I've got a few places in mind where the snow melts fast in spring.