The first bulbs I bought for the coming season were snowdrops from Carolyn's Shade Garden. They will be delivered "in the green" in March or April, having already bloomed. The other bulbs I ordered elsewhere will get planted this spring and bloom later this season if I'm lucky. The photo below shows the stunning Nectaroscordum tripedale that I planted in 2016. I'm hoping they return again this year.
The Nectaroscordum are growing just to the right of Lilium asiaticum 'Landini. I had hoped the two bulbs might share some bloom time but you can see from the dried up Nectaroscordum flower heads that it did not happen.
I'm hoping I have better luck getting the L. 'landini' to bloom in tandem with my new lily, L. asiaticum 'Forever Susan' which I'm planting across a path from 'landini.' I first saw 'Forever Susan' last summer in my friend Cindy's garden and it was a stunner. Cindy's garden was on the WHPS members' garden tour on the same night as mine last June.
In the second photo from the top you will notice L. leichtlinii in bloom (and bud) on the edges of the picture. They are yellow touched with a bit of orange and I am picking up that combo on the other side of the path as well. I already have L. henrii in place (directly below) and I'm adding L. longiflorum 'Apricot Fudge.'
Bulb connoisseurs Brent and Becky Heath describe 'Apricot Fudge' as a very unusual, "almost rose-like" form. It certainly is not typical looking, judging from the photo on their website (below).
Then I saw this Alstroemeria 'Inca Ice' at Avant Gardens and had to have it. Imagine, an Alstroemeria that's hardy in Zone 5. I only ordered one plant because I haven't a clue what they actually look like growing in a garden. And I will believe it's hardy in this zone when I see it. But look at this baby! It would be a swoon-worthy moment if its bloom time managed to cross that of L. 'Apricot Fudge.'
I've gardened for enough years that I am well aware that flowers rarely bloom on a strict schedule or in concert with other plants the way we hope and plan. That's why I am such a fan of foliage: it looks good all season. Foliage combos always work all the time.
These lilies have dramatic flowers but stems and leaves that don't make a big statement or take up a big space. They can be squeezed in between other plants so they disappear once they've flowered. But one can always hope that perhaps one of these lovely floral matches will prove to be made on earth and not just in my heavenly dreams.
Ha, we can dream. I will be curious if the Alstroemeria survives your garden. They are pretty flowers. Like you I have often tried "one" plant to see if it survives here before I invest in another. I hope they all survive for you.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Thursday, February 09, 2017 at 06:09 AM
Alstroemeria is one of those things you see the west coast gardeners grow, so it will be fun to give it a try. And it's not like taking a chance on a tree!
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Thursday, February 09, 2017 at 07:04 AM
Lovely choices, Linda. I rarely have my act together to order, and then plant in a timely manner, so it's more impulse buying or keeping my eye out for something that I really want. That, of course, limits my choices greatly.
Posted by: Barbara H. | Thursday, February 09, 2017 at 04:11 PM
I'm not nearly as good ordering in time for fall planting. Somehow it seems easier to buy bulbs now when I have time to look on the web because i can't be outside. Once I can be in the garden I always leave it too late to get the bulbs I want to plant at the end of the season.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Thursday, February 09, 2017 at 04:15 PM
I have Nectaroscordum tripedale and I agree, it would looked fantastic with 'Landini' if they had bloomed at the same time.
Posted by: Kathy Purdy | Thursday, February 09, 2017 at 05:48 PM
The lilies look so graceful mixed in with the woodland plantings. I always feel like they need to be stuffed into a flower border and I like your look much better!
I have two pots of alstroemeria overwintering in the garage. I just wasn't brave enough to risk them outside, but might risk a division in the spring. They were just too tempting to pass up!
Posted by: Frank | Thursday, February 09, 2017 at 08:01 PM
I didn't know there was a source for snowdrops in the green. Everything I've read says that is a much more successful way to plant them but I'd not seen them sold that way and planted a few bulbs a couple years ago. They've not been very successful. Perhaps I should bulk up my collection with a few from Carolyn's.
Posted by: Erin @ The Impatient Gardener | Thursday, February 09, 2017 at 09:35 PM
If the plant bulks up enough in one season maybe i will bring a piece indoors to overwinter as a backup.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Friday, February 10, 2017 at 08:26 AM
Carolyn sells hers online in Dec. and you can sign up to be notified. They are very expensive. Hitch Lyman of Temple Nursery sells them by catalog and you have to get that in advance. Used to cost $5. You can probably find his address on line. My double snowdrops and Magnet variety were fall bulbs and they have done very well. Mostly you won't find unusual ones to plant that way.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Friday, February 10, 2017 at 08:29 AM
Hi, Linda - So glad I decided to pop over here, I love your site, and what stunning photos!
Posted by: valorie grace hallinan | Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 01:32 PM