I read the bulb catalogs the same as you do. They show oh so many bulbs that do well in the shade. As we know all too well, there are many degrees of shade in our gardens here in the Santa Cruz Mountains and their definition is not always what happens here. But hope springs eternal and every year I want to try something new.
I have to admit, however, that fresh daffodil bulbs and tulips are reliable even if I have to plant the old ones like a Johnny Appleseed in sunny spots not on my property but for others to enjoy. This year I ordered late flowering daffodil bulbs as the early ones get beaten down by spring rain in my shady garden. I’ll let you know how this method worked out or if I’ll regret not having early ones when spring fever rolls around. Now that I think about it, maybe I’ll get some early ones, too, so if spring rains aren’t too heavy, I won’t regret my decision.
I’m told that the small spring bulbs such as Snowdrops, Crocus, Scilla siberia, Chionodoxa are ideal for planting in shady areas at the base of shrubs or beneath large trees. Also I’m looking at Grape hyacinths and Leucojum for my shade, but I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket as the saying goes.
There are a lot of squirrels here in my garden. I’ll have to outsmart them. Squirrels, mice and moles are observant and crafty. Once they discover newly planted bulbs, they’ll assume it’s food. Just disturbing the earth is a tip off for them. Daffodils and narcissus bulbs are toxic, but if they dig them up then leave them exposed with just a nibble taken—so much for any spring flower display. Protect your bulbs with wire baskets or spray them with foul tasting repellent, letting the spray dry before planting. You can also bury the bulbs with ground up eggshells. Another way to foil squirrels is to plant the bulbs deeply. This only works if you have good drainage, however. Next year, if the squirrels start nibbling the foliage as it emerges, try spraying it with a repellent like Squirrel Stopper.
The ground temperature is perfect to plant your bulbs. Most bulbs are pre-chilled before they are shipped. To make sure they have 12 to 16 weeks of chilling you can store your bulbs in the refrigerator set to around 40 degrees. Just be sure not to store them near any fruit as the released ethylene gas reduces bloom.
And in case you forget about them until after Christmas, go ahead and plant them anyway. The stems will be shorter but that’s all. The flowers will still be beautiful.
Who doesn’t love daffodils? I got a collection of more shade tolerant daffodils. I’m thinking they might have shorter stems, which help them recover after a spring rain without having to be staked up. Fragrant miniature Hawera narcissus falls into this category. They are animal proof like all daffodils and naturalize easily, too.
There are so many types of tulips now. I’m always torn between classic Darwin tulips, parrot tulips and double flowering. They are all spectacular.There are the early blooming Fosteriana tulips and Lily flowering tulips which are elegant with graceful stems and goblet-shaped flowers with pointed reflexed petals. These are late bloomers and excellent for bouquets as are all tulips.
Whatever bulbs you choose to try this fall, you will be happy you planted some bulbs come spring. And to help them bloom again the following year fertilize them at the time of planting with bulb food or bone meal worked into the soil a couple inches at the bottom of the hole. Mature bulbs respond to an early spring feeding with the same fertilizer.
Jan Nelson, a landscape designer and California-certified nursery professional, will answer questions about gardening in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Email her at ja******@ao*.com, or visit jannelsonlandscapedesign.com.
