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Small Bulbs for Fall Planting
Yearbook 1967 page 22 By: John H. Cowan Back to the web versionIf you have a rockery or small corner in your garden, particularly under shrubs where, when the shrubs come into leaf it is too shady for regular annuals and / or perennials, then try growing some of what are classed as the smaller bulbs for bloom in the early spring.
The soil should be that desired by most bulbs, friable and well-drained. Fertilizer such as bone meal or superphosphate is ideal.
Some of the smaller bulbs are not hardy in the Ottawa district but varieties I have grown and enjoyed are as follows:
(We shall not consider the popular small bulbs such as crocus, grape-hyacinth and scillas in these varieties)
Galanthus or snowdrop This is the first of the bulbs to bloom and will, as its name suggests, bloom when there is still snow on the ground. It has long green leaves and the white flower which is bell-like makes a nice early showing.
Minimus daffodil This is a spectacular little flower growing about three inches high with a trumpet about one inch long and a perianth about half an inch long.
Minimus blooms about the same time as the crocus and makes quite _ show when planted in small clusters.
Puschkinia This is a very early bloomer and gives the appearance of a small hyacinth with several flowers clustered around a fine stem. They come in white or white striped with blue.
Iris reticulata These are usually a deep violet in colour, grow to a height of six inches and give a nice showing very early in the spring along with the crocuses. They need very little protection and readily multiply from year to year. Other colours can be obtained in these early-blooming bulbous iris.
Fritillaria The variety suited for rockeries and under shrubs is the one called F. Meleagris or Snakeshead. It receives its name from the appearance of the bloom when first opening in that it is speckled and looks like a snake's head hanging down. The flower when opened still hangs down and is quite attractive. It requires little attention and will multiply quite readily from year to year.
Juncifolius This, without a doubt, is one of the nicest small flowers you can grow. It is a miniature daffodil, about the size of a dime, perfectly formed, on a stem about six inches long. It usually blooms early in May when the early tulips are first coming out. It requires some protective covering during a severe winter.
Tulipa Tarda This is one of the showiest and most easily grown of the species tulips. On lovely sunny days in the early spring it produces a solid mass of yellow and white since each bulb has several flowers on short stems. These tulips are most effective planted in clusters.
Ixiolirion This is a later-flowering small bulb. It produces a long spike with blue tubular flowers on it. The flowers are very showy and are ideal for use in the spring for use with tulips especial1y since a good blue colour is very hard to come by at that time.
Most of the bulbs mentioned above form seed pods which, if al1owed to ripen, can be readily planted in another protected area or scattered where the present bulbs are. If the ground is not disturbed too much for two or three years you will have a multitude of small bulbs that will increase your show immensely.
I have enjoyed these bulbs: I try new ones every year but those described above are my favourites.
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