Every spring, I look out at the brown, bare orchards and say to myself: Why, oh why didn’t we plant bulbs last fall? Well, we’ve been at the farm for more than 13 years now, and it’s finally happened.
Longtime fans of SCF may remember we did pretty much the same thing on the same weekend in 2010, but in the front yard. We’ve also tried tulips in the back yard, but they only lasted a season or two.
Before we get to this year’s planting, a look around the late-fall yard. Once again, as the gardening season ends, things get a little out of hand. These are for posterity, so maybe come mid-summer, I’ll not be afraid to be ruthless and clean this stuff up early.
Dead cosmos on the right, some creeping vine on the left. On the other hand, the African Blue Basil is performing quite nicely here:
Too many Columbine:
More disaster. Coneflowers, Columbine and more:
I expect this hydrangea to full recover from its move in 2016. It will be its third year in its new home:
Man, what a mess. Vines everywhere:
The Joe Pye is Ok here, but it’s fallen down. I’ll stake it next year:
The butterfly bush is finally on its way back.
OK, let’s map out our bulb planting! Along the back fence, between the pear tree and the rock, we’ve placed mixed trumpet daffodils of all colors, yellow, white and gold:
Along the driveway fence, between the oak leaf hydrangea and the peonies, we planted Mount Hood daffodils. They’re all white.
Down on the other side of the peonies, we placed some beautiful red and purple tulips called Irene!
Yes, we did it just for Irene!
It’s a chilly day! 
Right near the edge of the patio near the Montmorency cherry, we planted Woodstock Hyacinths.
And alongside the pear tree, we planted a mix of pink, purple and white tulips called Plum Parade.
I also nestled some Sweet Musette Tulips — a mix of double, soft pink ‘Angelique’ and the white with purple ‘Shirley’ — under the limelight hydrangea and the ninebark.
And alongside the sidewalk, both here by the oak leaf hydrangea and near the door, we did little yellow daffodils called Tete a Tete.
My friend Bill recommended them because they are among the first to come up, often when there is still snow on the ground. That’s why I put them near the sidewalk. I thought they’d make us happy as we walk to the car.
The same thinking informed the placement of the Blue Pearl crocus in the ivy alongside the house (and sidewalk!):
We can’t wait to see what spring brings.
