rims 20 inch

rims 20 inch

Besides renovating the lawn, starting new planting beds, dividing and transplanting overgrown perennials, the most important task in fall is to plant bulbs. There are so many varieties of tulips, daffodils, alliums, and other bulbs to choose from.

Tulips, known for their remarkable flowers and bright colors, make a fantastic display in spring. They are the highlight of the spring garden. These days, tulips come in all sizes, shapes and early, mid-, and late spring bloom times. There are the single, multi-flowered, double, fringed, and lily-flowered tulips. If you have vole or deer problems, you have to use protective measures to be able to enjoy tulips.

However, if you don't have time to fuss with tulips, you can have easy long-lasting beauty with golden and/or white daffodils. All daffodils belong to the genus Narcissus and can be called either "daffodils" or "narcissi". Jonquils are fragrant daffodils with cups shorter than their petals. All daffodils or narcissi are deer and rodent-proof, but they like well-draining soil. They hate to have wet feet. There are small and large cupped daffodils, double daffodils, miniature daffodils, fragrant ones, and ones with multiple stems per bulb. Daffodils come in white or different shades of yellow with cups that range from white and yellow to pinkish (more of an orangey pink). Some cups have red rims. Some of the double daffodils look like puffs of fine lingerie. Daffodils that are described as good for "naturalizing" are usually very tough and do well even under less than ideal conditions. Some of my favorite "tough" daffodils include the award-winning "Ice Follies" and the late blooming small cupped daffodils belonging to the "Poeticus Narcissi" family.

Hyacinths, often extremely fragrant, are a great addition near a doorway or walk. Grape Hyacinths or Muscari are lovely when planted in drifts. However, my third most important bulb to plant in fall is Allium. "Allium" in Latin means "garlic". Alliums are sun-lovers and prefer well-drained soil. Deer and rodents will not touch Allium. For the most dramatic effect, Allium is best planted in the middle or back of the border, unless it is a short cultivar like A. karativiense. The purplish or white 2-10 inch globes on up to 5 feet-long stalks make a striking display in late spring or early summer. The popular "Purple Sensation" with reddish-violet balls is one of the earliest to bloom. It's one of my favorites. I also like the rose-purple "Gladiator" and the impressive 10 inch purple globes of Allium "Globemaster". Even after these Alliums are finished blooming in late June, the dry globes on their stalks provide structural interest in the garden. In late fall, I cut the most perfect Alliums and place them in tall vases for indoor decoration.

Other bulbs to plant are snowdrops and crocuses for late winter/early spring blooms. Summer snowflake or Leukojum, which looks like snowdrops on 18-20 inch stems, blooms in late spring. Fritillaries, consisting of stalks ringed with bell-shaped flowers, come in 6 to 36 inch heights. They have distinctive hollow bulbs and come in various colors. Fritillaries are also deer and rodent-resistant.

Bulbs can be planted until the ground freezes, but why not get started during the pleasant early days of fall.