Next, Please!

 Brodeaia found at Castle Rock (Mt. Diablo)

I wouldn't be a fanatical gardener if I didn't almost totally neglect the fabulous late show of Zauschnerias and Eriogonums currently dazzling the garden to ponder the age old conundrum, "What's next?"  The answer?  Why, bulbs of course!  Bulb purchasing always whips me up into a frenzy while turning the pages of my catalog or comparing bloom times in online forums. 

 'Jenny' Daffodil

They're so beautiful, the photos seem unreal- the abundance of flowers and bright colors.  It reminds me of the touch-ups and Photoshopping that takes place on models in magazines.  Can that really happen in my garden?!  Well, yes!  Allow me to offer a few tips:

Brodeaia ida-maia

I'm usually swayed by the pricing, so I tend to under-order.  Doesn't 100 bulbs sound like a lot?  Sometimes it's actually not enough!  However, I do know other folks who over-order, so my best advice would be to ask another gardener (one who will have no role in helping you plant the bulbs) if it sounds like too little or too much if you're unsure.  Close spacing can really make an impact, but not so close that the bulbs touch each other- it can lead to rot.

'Thalia' Daffodil after a rain shower

Mix in large and small bulbs together, but keep an eye out for bloom times and plant height. California native bulbs tend to bloom later, so a carpet of low-growing annuals such as Meadowfoam or Baby Blue eyes can help bridge the time between when the Manzanitas bloom and the Salvias bloom.

Calochortus superbus

If you're worried that some of the Tulips or Daffodils will not be California dreamin', catalogs usually mention if the varieties work well in the South (ie, grow in warmer climates).  Here's a few links to some online shops:

John Scheepers has selection and pretty good pricing.  They carry many natives under the "Best of the Rest" category if you're not finicky about hybrids or getting California natives from Connecticut by way of Holland.

I've never purchased from them, but Far West Bulb Farm carries the more unusual native varieties (plus they're sourced locally and ethically).

I also googled my way to Telos Rare Bulbs, who sells native, S. African and S. American varieties.  They have a blog, too to help facilitate my obsession!

I've never had luck with Tulips around here, so I haven't grown any in quite some time.  Anyone have advice to share?

The Bulbs Are Here!

Hooray!  I was so late in the game as far as bulb ordering goes, but they finally arrived and I'm ready to squirrel away my weekend!  Pictured here is Brodiaea coccinea, which will dazzle my springtime with firecracker red flowers (at least that's what I'm hoping for).  Town Mouse includes a great picture of the blooms on her post about the bulbs she ordered this year (although she was totally on top of her game and got them months ago!).  The excitement in planting bulbs for me is always the anticipation- it's greater than the actual result, but I can't help myself year after year. 
I'm also going to try Calochortus superbus and a Brodiaea mixture.  Happy planting!

The Bulb Catalogs Have Arrived!

I have been looking, musing and looking again at the pages of my new bulb catalogs! Here's how it typically goes: look at every page, dog ear a few, flip back, fold the dog ear back, circle a few items, each round more emphatic until you can't read the typle, order the bulbs after 2 months of deliberations, and wait impatiently for the garden to match the beautiful pages that by this point have become folded and wrinkled from handling and spots of spilled tea. This year I'm going to order some mariposa lilies and some pink brodiaea and maybe even some daffodils because who can resist?! What bulbs are you planning on planting this fall?