Christmas is a time for giving and now you can order some bulbs at incredible prices. For example, Breck’s which is a very reputable bulb company is offering 25% discount on selected bulbs for Christmas. They have lots of bulbs to choose from in their Holiday Collection but you have to hurry and order by December 15th to lock in your savings.

These bulbs come from Holland and Breck’s uses the most efficient way to ship them to you via US Parcel Service or United Parcel Service. They guarantee that all of their holiday gift items ordered before December 15th will be delivered by Christmas Eve. So hurry and get your order in for all those special people on your list. Here are a few of the bulbs in their collection.

Twinkle Twinkle Holiday Star Amaryllis
This gorgeous red amaryllis is known as the Star of Holland because of its dramatic white star in the center of each bloom. Amaryllis is truly a traditional symbol of the holiday season and you can expect to get 6-8 flowers that measure 8″ across from 1-bulb planter. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

Sleigh Bell Daffodil
Daffodils are an old time favorite of many people and very easy to grow. Sleigh Bell Daffodil produces multiple blooms per stem of beautiful soft yellow flowers that are accented by a darker cup. It has very sturdy stems that grow up to 10″ tall. In this collection, you will get 3 potted bulbs in a 4″ pot that comes wrapped in green foil and produces 18-21 blooms. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

Christmas Charm Hyacinth
This is another old time favorite and heavenly fragrant. Christmas Charm Hyacinth produces hundreds of tiny florets and one stem is enough to perfume a whole room. It has strong stems and lavender bell flowers with white markings and you can get 3 potted bulbs in a 6″ pot wrapped in green foil. These bulbs are already sprouted so you can have flowers in just a few weeks. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

Go ahead and get your order in to arrive just in time for the holidays. You will have peace of mind knowing that you’ve purchased your bulbs from a very reputable company like Breck’s.

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Post tags: Amaryllis, Christmas Gifts, Daffodils, Flowering Bulbs, Hyacinths

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Cyclamen are herbaceous plants with a surface or underground tuber which produces leaves and blooms during the winter months and continues to bloom until April each year. They can be propagated from seeds but usually takes between 9-18 months to reach the flowering stage. For this reason, it is best to buy the plants at a local nursery which are already established.

These garden beauties rarely do well in warm weather and they do have a dormant period during the summer months. One key feature of Cyclamen is its unusual variety of leaves and markings which range from round to oval, arrowhead shape, and ivy-leaved ones. Cyclamen is a tuberous potted plant that loves the cool weather and indirect sun light. They thrive in temperatures ranging from 55 to 65 degrees.

This gorgeous plant will give you lots of much needed color during the winter months and will continuously bloom all season long. The leaves are deep green heart-shaped with silvery marbled patterns. Cyclamen will do well if planted in the garden where winters are mild, but my advice is to plant them in containers and place them in the patio. They also do well in balconies, window boxes and large flower pots.

Caring for Cyclamen is easy as these require very little care. Just make sure that the soil if kept moist but be careful not to over water them and that they have indirect sun light. With proper light, adequate moist soil and cool temperatures, you will have beautiful color in your garden all winter long. If your garden lacks color during the long winter months, go ahead and get some Cyclamen plants and place them in your garden. To get you started, here are some Cyclamen that I am familiar with.

Hardy Cyclamen Lily Pad White – Botanical name is Cyclamen coum Lily Pad White

Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.
This hardy Cyclamen blooms continuously from December to April with gorgeous white blooms above silvery green foliage. The blooms seem to arch above the wide rounded heart shaped foliage which looks like little frogs jumping from one lily pad to the next. The leaves usually arise in autumn and are olive green shade with silver overtones. These will tolerate frost and other inclement winter conditions and around December, white blooms will appear which will continue for up to 5 months. Lily Pad White likes the shade and thrives in zones 5-9.

Hardy Cyclamen Neapolitanum – Botanical name is the same

Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.
Wow! This Cyclamen is hardy even in 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This dainty Cyclamen is ideal for planting under the shade of trees to add beauty and color to your garden. It offers masses of lilac flowers with rich dark eyes and petals curving upward above heart shaped foliage. It thrives in zones 5-9 and in the shade beneath trees and shrubs and can also be planted in containers or pots.

Hardy Cyclamen Lily Pad Pink – Botanical name is Cyclamen coum Lily Pad Pink

Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.
This Cyclamen actually tolerates frost and inclement winter weather. Recommended for the shade garden, Lily Pad Pink blooms continuously from late winter to mid spring. It has lavender-pink flowers and two tone green foliage marked with silver. Plant these in containers or large pots or even beneath trees or shrubs for a stunning winter flowering garden.

To a beautiful winter garden,
Diana

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Post tags: Bulbs, container plants, Cyclamen, cyclamen seeds, Fall Gardening, flower pots, Perennials, persian violet, primrose, shade plants, tuberous plants, window boxes, winter blooming bulbs

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This unique plant produces a cluster of flowers at the top of a leafless stalk. The Alliums bulb is also known as an onion and members of the genus include vegetables such as onions, shallots, leeks and chives. It has been said that Alliums species are found in most regions of the world except the tropics, New Zealand and Australia. Don’t know why.

Alliums add beauty to your garden when in full bloom and the flowers can be dried for use as winter decorations. These are hardy perennials that have true bulbs, are easy to grow and require little care once the plant is established.

You can mix Alliums with other perennials around your garden for a gorgeous look. It will add lots of color and interesting shapes to your garden. Most Alliums are in full bloom during the spring and early summer so the time to plant the bulbs is now. Here are a few of my favorite Alliums.

Allium ‘Globemaster’ – Botanical name is the same
Wow! Globemaster has fluffy violet blooms as big as soccer balls that shoot up from 3 foot stalks. Early summer these huge stems are topped by gigantic violet-pink cluster of flowers that are 8 inches wide. It is a Dutch hybrid that blooms for up to 3 weeks and thrives in zones 4-8. (photo courtesy of Wayside Gardens)

Allium Karataviense ‘Ivory Queen’ – Botanical name is the same
Considered a dwarf Allium because it only grows 6 to 9 inches high. Ivory Queen is ideal as a border plant. Masses of fragrant white globe like florets appear early summer and Ivory Queen will look gorgeous in front of taller perennial beds. You can also plant it in a container or a window box. It thrives in zones 4-8. (photo courtesy of Wayside Gardens)

Allium Atropurpureum – Botanical name is the same
This is a unique Allium in that the colors deepen with age. Atropurpureum is an heirloom dating back to 1800 and it is considered one of the most dramatic members of the Allium family. It produces masses of outstretched stars in a round 2 inch flower head. Each white-red bloom has a round green center and tiny green pads on the tip of each petal. The plant grows up to 3 feet tall and thrives in zones 4-9.

To your gardening success,
Diana

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Post tags: Alliums, alliums bulbs, Bulbs, dried flowers, Flowering Bulbs, fragrant flowers, hardy perennials, Lilies, Spring Blooming Bulbs

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Depending on where you live, Daffodils will bloom from six weeks to six months. After the blooming season, let the Daffodil plant rebuild its bulb for the next year. The leaves stay green while this rebuilding process is taking place. When you see the leaves turning yellow, then go ahead and cut the leaves off. Otherwise, leave them alone.

According to the American Daffodil Society, there are between 50 and 100 species of Daffodils. However, when you talk to different botanists, they claim that there are between 40 to 200 different Daffodil species.

And, get this, the Daffodil is the national flower of Wales and it is a tradition to wear a Daffodil on Saint David’s Day which is March 1st. In some countries the yellow Daffodil is associated with Easter. It is also a common decoration during the Chinese New Year. There is a Daffodil Festival in Nantucket, MA in April every year. It is a celebration of spring and hundreds of antique cars are adorned with thousands of Daffodils. Awesome!

To get you started with your Daffodil gardening, here are a few of my favorites. As I mentioned above, the botanical name for all Daffodils is Narcissus.

Daffodil ‘Rose of May’
This one is a real beauty and quite different than most Daffodils. It has double flowers and blooms in late spring. The flowers are a soft shade of ivory-white with hints of pale yellow at the center. Rose of May stands up well to wind and rain and thrives in zones 3-9. (photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)

Daffodil ‘Curly’
Here is a delightful little Daffodil that grows just 12 to 14 inches high. It produces masses of very short, curled dark yellow petals surrounding a yellow center. Clear white petals form on the outside for a very unique and beautiful look. It is just the right size that will survive wind and rain and thrives in zones 3-9. (photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)

Daffodil ‘Fidelity’
Take a look at the unusual color combination of this Daffodil which was introduced 20 years ago. The ring of petals around the base of the bloom is light yellow and the long trumpet is apricot-pink with the petal tips rolled and flared. Fidelity blooms in mid spring and thrives in zones 4-9. (photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)

Daffodil ‘Avalon’
Wow! This Daffodil has bi-color trumpet and bi-color petals. Although Avalon is not officially a trumpet Daffodil, it has a large cup that is almost 4 inches wide. The blooms arise on 16 to 18 inch stems and blooms mid-season. It is recommended that you plant about 5 bulbs per square foot, and Avalon thrives in zones 4-8. (photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)

Enjoy,
Diana

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As stated before, Amaryllis is a winter bulb that you can plant at home in the fall and have beautiful flowers during the gloomy winter months. It is real easy to plant the bulbs and any container will do. But, if you want to impress your family and friends, do buy a nice container to display the stunning Amaryllis flowers.

Here are some new Amaryllis bulbs this year.

Amaryllis Alfresco – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Alfresco
Wow! This Amaryllis blooms in only 30 days from planting. It is considered one of the most beautiful white Amaryllis in the market. I am sure you will agree when you see the picture below. It has large 6-inch blooms with a soft chartreuse center. The blooms are borne on strong 14-inch stems and last for several days. The plant produces 5-8 large blooms. (photo courtesy of Wayside Gardens)

Amaryllis Amico – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Amico
Here is an Amaryllis that produces up to 12 blooms per bulb. Awesome! This Amaryllis is considered a miniature because the stems are just 12 inches tall but you can expect at least 12 4-inch blooms from each bulb. The blooms displays bold white stripes that begin at the throat of the flower lining the center of each red petal somehow fading as they reach the petal tips. For a gorgeous look, plant multiple bulbs in the same container and 26 days later you will have beautiful flowers in your home. (photo courtesy of Wayside Gardens)

Amaryllis Jade Serpent – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Jade Serpent
This unusual miniature Amaryllis produces up to 8 soft green blooms in just 34 days from planting. This Amaryllis looks very different than most traditional ones in that it is a rarely seen color for Amaryllis. Jade Serpent offers 3-inch blooms on stems that are only 10 inches tall and produces up to 8 blooms per plant. (photo courtesy of Wayside Gardens)

Amaryllis Molto Bello – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Molto Bello
This is a truly elegant Amaryllis as it displays beautiful white blooms which are perfect for any occasion. Molto Bello is considered a miniature Amaryllis as the flowers measure 3 inches across and the stem is only 10 inches tall. The pure white flowers have curving petals and a soft green center. For a stunning look, plant a Molto Bello bulb and pair it with an Amico bulb and you will get red and white contrast. Wow! (photo courtesy of Wayside Gardens)

Enjoy,
Diana

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The bat plant produces eye-catching foliage and the flower is one of the most talked about you will have in your garden. The flower is a strange looking one that almost resembles a bat’s black face with large ears and long spooky whiskers. This unusual tropical perennial comes from the monsoon forests of West Africa and South East Asia. (photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)

For Gothic charm and a bit of Halloween decorations, get a bat plant bulb, plant it now in the autumn and you should have that unique ghostly garden next year. From what I understand, the bat plant blooms in late summer and early fall in Florida. For colder climates, it is recommended that you plant the bulb indoors in a container and then move it outside when the weather warms up.

If you want to have some fun, plant the bulb now in an unusual container like a hollowed pumpkin or a coffin like one with orange and yellow colors. Next spring, the plant will come up with lots of glossy leaves and in early summer, a stalk will develop resembling a budge near the tip. After that the flower begins to form, whiskers and all, resembling a bat’s face. (photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)

The bat plant comes in white and maroon colors and the maroon one looks really spooky. It reaches 3 feet tall and wide and likes indirect sunlight so it is best to plant it indoors. If you want to plant it in the garden, dig a hole large enough so that you can put the whole pot into it. This way, you can easily move it indoors when the weather gets cold. (photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)

To your ghostly garden,
Diana

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Narcissus are somewhat similar to daffodils but the main difference is that Narcissus have a central trumpet-like shape, or disc-shaped surrounded by a ring of six floral leaves called the perianth.

Years ago, Narcissus was used for medicinal purposes. It has bee said that in traditional Japanese medicine, wounds were treated with Narcissus root and wheat flour paste. The Roman physician Aulus Cornelius Celsus listed Narcissus root to be among medical herbs and described it as emollient, erodent, and very powerful in getting rid of any ailments of the body.

The Narcissus flower is named after Narcissus in Greek mythology who was the god of beauty. According to history, Narcissus was the son of the river god Cephisus. When he was born, they asked a seer named Tiresias if the child would live a long life and the answer was ‘if he never knows himself’. The story goes on to say that Narcissus supposedly turned into a flower when he died.

There is lots of history behind the Narcissus flower and will not bore you with all the details. What is really important here is that Narcissus are a beautiful flower and easy to grow. If you like daffodils, then you will love Narcissus because they are in the same family. There are also many species in the market today and here are a few that I am familiar with.

Narcissus ‘Golden Ducat’ – Botanical name is the same

photo courtesy of Wayside Gardens
This Narcissus somewhat resembles a Peony with its huge 4-inch double blooms. It produced golden blooms with many fluffy points that extend 4 inches wide atop 15-inch stems. Golden Ducat blooms mid to late spring and grows well in zones 4-8.

Narcissus ‘Jetfire’ – Botanical name is the same

Photo courtesy of Wayside Gardens
Plant Jetfire among other tall perennials as these only grow on 8 inch stems. The golden petals are bent back on long ruffled orange trumpets. Jetfire is considered a free-blooming as many of the 8 inch stems will produce a second blossom. It blooms early spring to mid spring and grows well in zones 4-9.

Narcissus ‘Ice Follies’ – Botanical name is the same

Photo courtesy of Wayside Gardens
Here is a beautiful bi-color Narcissus that is bad weather resistant. Ice Follies blooms measure almost 5 inches wide on 20 inch stems. The outside petals are pure white with a creased look. The cup is shallow and butter yellow shading at the petal tips to a darker shade at the center. Ice follies blooms mid spring and grows well in zones 4-8,

Enjoy,
Diana

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Did you know that you can have a thriving flower garden in the autumn? Yes, you can! There are lots of autumn blooming bulbs that you can plant now and these will bloom next fall. Plant them this year and as other flowers begin to disappear in your garden, next year beautiful blooms will appear in the fall season.

Start visiting your local nursery or shop online for autumn blooming bulbs and get busy in your garden. Next year, you will be glad you planted your bulbs when you see the flowers come up. To help you get started, here is a short list of some autumn blooming bulbs that you can plant now.

Autumn Crocus ‘The Giant’ – Botanical name is Colchicum Speciosum ‘The Giant’

(photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Rose color flowers streaked with white will appear from this bulb. See the picture below. This is a very easy plant to grow. Just set the bulbs in well drained, moist soil in a sunny area of your garden. The Giant is pest resistant and grows well in zones 5-8. It blooms from early fall to mid fall.

Colchicum Cilicicum – Botanical name is the same

(photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
A native of Turkey, if you like Colchicums this is one of the most reliable to plant in your garden. It blooms freely with about 15 flowers per bulb. The flowers are about 2 inches and the shade is a dark rosy-purple. When the flowers die, large 1 foot strap-shaped leaves will appear. Colchicum likes full sun, well drained soil, and grows well in zones 4-9. Blooms early fall to mid fall.

Autumn Crocus ‘Waterlily’ – Botanical name is Colchicum Waterlily

(photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Somehow, the blossoms of this colchicum resemble floating waterlilies. Large, 4 to 5 inch lavender-pink double flowers appear on leafless stems in mid-autumn. It is easy to grow, just plant the bulb in well drained soil. Colchicum likes full sun, it is pest resistant and grows well in zones 5-8. Blooms early fall to mid fall.

Hardy Cyclamen Neapolitanun – Botanical name is Cyclamen Neapolitanum

(photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Wow! This Cyclamen is hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. It offers masses of lilac flowers with rich dark ‘eyes’. The petals curve upward above variegated, heart-shaped foliage. You can plant this bulb under trees, shrubs or pots as it likes the shade. Blooms early fall to mid fall and grows well in zones 5-9.

To your gardening success,
Diana

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Post tags: autumn blooming bulbs, Bulbs, flower garden, flowers

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