Best books this year

Snicker - it just wasn't hungry enough! For what ever reason, the "German" iris are only marginally hardy here - the older culitvars will thrive as will the locally breed ones, but the vast majority point their toes to heaven and die.

Bought more bulbs last night!

Cheryl

I did not see the humor in Running with Scissors at all. And I've got a fairly well-developed sense of humor. So count me in the apalled camp.

Donna in Virginia

They are supposed to do well here (Calgary) although one never knows with new cultivars. However, there are a lot of freeze thaw cycles throughout the winter months because of the Chinooks, which means plants tend to dry out, and anything that pops up too early because it thinks spring has come can get zapped at a young age.

Dora

Well, if they make it for you, I'll try again, but.......

What I really want to try again are the Spuria iris, late bloomers.

Cheryl

Same here - works for me!

Pat

LOL! That might work *if* we had squirrels! :) Living out on the plains with very few trees means *very* few squirrels. Where we are it's more the gophers or moles and they haven't yet learned to leave their openings in a convenient place. :)

Joan

I will have to print this idea and Tara's out to save for next summer. I just planted a bunch of tulips last year and would like to leave them be for a least a few years. I always have the itch to buy more bulbs in the fall, though. :) Marking where to plant, rather than where

Joan, at home with a headcold

I took a look at these over lunch, up to 5 feet tall, lovely. You'd think something originally from Siberia would work here, but I guess they only tolerate to -20C, darn.

Did you know there is a spuria society? Dora

Should make it here! I'm really surprised the germanica make it for you - they're about the same.

Snow cover can make all the difference in the world!

No, but it would not phase me in the least. There is a sub society with in the daylilies for "exotic" forms.

Cheryl

Well, the germanica haven't made it yet, I just planted them. I have some older germanica which came from someone's back yard, but that's a different kettle of fish.

Our snow cover tends to melt off during the chinooks, and dry out the plants, so generous mulching is important. Of course some plants make it without anything at all, just to keep the generalizations at bay.

Similar setup ... the spuria society is a sub-group of the iris society. They have a good article on cultivation, without actually saying where the plant can be grown, which is a bit of an omission. Dora

You got that right sister. I have had winter kill on things that thrived right next door. But I have a slope in front and she's sheltered - by my slope on one side and the other neighbor on the other.

Here you go!

I think I know a north of the border source. Hit me upside the head in a week if I haven't posted.

Thank you Cheryl. I've made note, I might have to dig out a new bed - well I'll see what comes up next spring. Dora

Dora

DH saw me trying to prepare a spot last fall to try to plant some bulbs & the first thing I knew he had brought the trencher over & I had 30+ gladiolus bulbs planted in no time! Sometimes those hunks of equipment do have their purposes. :-))) I now find myself looking all over the property for likely "bulb spots" where the trencher could do all of the work. Though, with the number of ground squirrels around, I really should look for one of those "tubs of bulbs" of daffodils. On the other hand, my car needs axle work & DH's needs tires & brakes. Liz from Humbug

I have an auger that attaches to a power drill to speed digging those pesky holes.

Now - my handy hint for the day - Watch your local stores, including Walmart and the grocery store, about now they will start slashing prices on bulbs. (if you are in the "north") I grab the bags when they start going way down ( 50% or more off) and pop along the edge of the lawn or put crocuses in the middle of the lawn.

But, get your car fixed - we want you and yours safe and sound.