Not quite yet
As many of my zone 5 friends elsewhere in the country pick up their shovels, shears, clippers, and, yes, hoes, forging valiantly into the muddy earth and chilly air of March, I find that I am not yet ready to take on the great outdoors.
There is actually very little than can be done at this time. A bit of clean-up, I guess: a few leaves were never raked or composted and some lily stalks remain. There is some weeding, clearing, and soil prep in the back that might be easier to do now than later. But basically it is still a waiting game here—and let’s face it, there will be at least one if not a couple snow storms before winter gives up on WNY.
I am really looking forward to bringing out all the big pots of tulips and watching the erythronium and other early ephemerals come out in the front. And I love these tulips I am forcing inside. At top you see the Amazone Triumph, and here are some Orange Princess doubles beginning to take on color. I’m a bit smug about forcing doubles, though I suspect most tulips will force fairly easily. These few inside are the "coming events" before their brethren emerge outside for the real show.
Comments
Your tulips are beautiful, such a wonderful soft apricot color...
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
By the way, thanks for the tip on the 'Red Bedder' nicotianas; I'll check them out.
When I was writing my post about echinaceas, I thought of you, because I was fairly certain you'd written about not liking them/not being able to grow them some time back. I wanted to tell you that some of mine are in less than perfect conditions; the standard E. purpurea seem to tolerate some shade andjust get a bit leggy, and they also cope with clay in that garden. But the newer cultivars are more picky so I wouldn't put them in a shade garden til they really drop in price and I can afford to experiment.
Frances
Yes, sometimes. But I use hybrids in pots even outside. I don't find that they come back well. Or I dig the bulbs up after blooming.
Your tulips are beautiful!