Let’s face it, we all have people in our lives that are impossible to buy for. With Christmas right around the corner, if you have someone that you just can’t find that perfect gift for, give them some flowering bulbs. This is a gift that they will have for years to come as bulbs do come back every year and they will always remember you with fond memories. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

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.

It is not too early to start planning your bulb planting for spring flowers. If you live in the north region, your planting time should be between September and October. If you live further south, you can wait until the end of October or November to plant bulbs. Hopefully, you already have the bulbs as most companies require at least a month for delivery. If you have them now and it is too early to plant, just be sure to keep them dry and in a cool place. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

If you buy bulbs from a local gardening place, there are some things to look for when selecting them. Make sure that bulbs are firm but not dried out and free of mold, spots and anything that resembles fungus. Another thing to remember is that the bigger the bulb, the bigger the flower will be and a double bulb normally means that you will get two plants.

The companies that sell bulbs usually offer good information and advice about planting, storing, nurturing and propagating bulbs. However, the planting depth for your area really depends on where you live. For example, if the ground where you live does not freeze to any significant depth or for extended periods of time, you can plant bulbs about an inch shallower than the depth suggested by companies. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

There are a few things that are a must before planting bulbs and at the top of the list is the soil. Unless you have good soil, your bulbs or other plants will not do well. Rich soil is the key to healthy plants and beautiful flowers. So be sure to prepare the soil by following the directions given with your purchase. Also be sure to note the best location to plant the bulbs. Some bulbs should be planted where there is full sun while others require a shady area or part sun.

Next decide how you want your garden to look when the bulbs are in full bloom. Spacing them is the key and you can follow recommendations given by the company where you bought them from or you can plant them closer together for a very beautiful and dramatic look. If in doubt, buy bulbs from a reputable company like Breck’s that has been bringing us quality bulbs from Holland since 1818. You will get all the advice you need from this company as well as top quality bulbs. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

Alliums belong to the Liliaceae or Lily family. These bulbs produce a gorgeous flower that resembles a globe. There approximately 1200 species in the Alliums family and most of them are in the northern hemisphere.

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

Amaryllis is a beautiful flower that resembles a lily and usually thrives in the South but can be planted indoors in containers in colder regions. They come in many varieties and colors such as white, red, pink, salmon, orange and many others. Amaryllis flowers are very popular and in demand worldwide and favored by lots of gardeners because it blooms indoor in the winter months.

Did you know that Amaryllis can be forced to bloom in about six weeks after planting? Yes, you can plant Amaryllis bulbs in a container indoors and force them to bloom in late winter by inducing a dormant period. Since Amaryllis stalks are quite heavy when it blooms, make sure the container you use is large enough so it will not tip over. Once the plant is established indoors, you can move them outdoors or even plant them in your garden when the danger of frost is past.

The botanical name for Amaryllis is ‘Hippeastrum’ which is Greek and means ‘horseman’s star’. This specie of Amaryllis was chosen in 1837 by the honorable Reverend William Herbert who was Dean of Manchester at the time. Why he chose this name, no one really knows because Hippeastrum is native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Americas, Argentina, Mexico and the Caribbean. (photo courtesy of kabloomofsandysprings.com)

When purchasing Amaryllis bulbs, make sure that they are firm to the touch and have a thin brown outer layers similar to an onion. Never buy bulbs that are soft or look sick or have green mold on them. To plant your Amaryllis indoors, do the following:

1. Select your bulb
2. Buy a pot or container slightly larger than the bulb
3. Fill the pot half way with potting soil
4. Place the bulb on top of the soil making sure that the top of it is exposed
5. Add more soil around the sides of the pot
6. Water so that the soil is moist but not too wet
7. Place the pot in a bright area but not in direct sun
8. Turn the pot every few days to get even light
9. Within a few weeks, a thick flower stalk should shoot up

It really is that easy to plant Amaryllis indoors and have beautiful flowers during the winter months. Here are a few of my favorites.

Amaryllis Pizzazz – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Pizzazz

(Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Here is a beautiful Amaryllis that has huge 6-inch striped blooms with ruffled edges and starry white centers. The flowers are bright cherry red, white striping and the petals are ruffled in pure white. Truly gorgeous! The blooms are held by a sturdy 15 inch stems. Pizzazz blooms in 36 days after planting and produces 4-7 large blooms per plant and thrives in zones 8-11.

Amaryllis Snow White – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Snow White

(Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Snow white surely fits this beautiful Amaryllis. It has huge pure white frilly blooms on 12 inch stems. The blooms reach 8 inches across and you can expect 4-7 blooms that will add beauty to your home during the winter months. Snow white blooms in 32 days after planting and thrives in zones 8-11.

Amaryllis Razzle Dazzle – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Razzle Dazzle

(Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
This Amaryllis is sometimes called candy cane because of its pin striping. It has 7 inch stripped flowers and the bulb produces up to 9 blooms per plant. Razzle Dazzle blooms 37 days after planting and thrives in zones 8-11.

Amaryllis Little Angel – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Little Angel

(Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Little Angel produces gorgeous pure white 3 inch blooms with soft green center. This Amaryllis is ready to bloom in just 28 days after planting and thrives in zones 8-11.

To your gardening success,
Diana