Pink Daffodils

Elisabeth — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Every few years the color pink becomes fashionable in gardening. Most of us, however, don't really have the money to be slaves to fashion, so we stick with the colors we like. Many of us like pink, so we invest in pink roses, peonies, daylilies and mums. About now, some of us are even thinking about pink daffodils.

The problem with pink daffodils is that despite the appearance of the flowers portrayed in the catalogs, the vast majority--if not all--of them are not really pure pink. Most have a touch of yellow, making them closer to apricot than pink. This is fine, as long as you are not expecting something else.

The first "pink" daffodil, 'Mrs. Backhouse', came along in 1921. Bred by Englishman Robert O. Backhouse, it was named for his wife and fellow daffodil breeder, Sarah Elizabeth. The cup of each flower is apricot and the blossoms are graceful and lovely. Later in the twentieth century, 'Salome" was introduced. Like 'Mrs. Backhouse', it has white petals and an apricot/coral cup, but the trumpet is even longer. Another favorite pink is 'Chromacolor', again with white petals and a "pink" trumpet that is somewhat more intensely colored than that of 'Mrs. Backhouse' or 'Salome'.

The trick with any pink-cupped daffodil is to plant it in light shade, as too much sun washes out the pink color.

If you are a purist about pinks, chances are pink daffodils will disappoint you. But if you can accept these lovely flowers as they are and plant them in masses, they will make a gorgeous garden display.

Fringed Tulips

Elisabeth — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:31:00 GMT

Several years ago I was helping out in a neighbor's back yard. The yard was quite deep and I discovered during the course of my work that my neighbor kept an eight by ten area at the very back for a large compost pile. Her landscaper routinely dumped the grass clippings and fall leaves there, and even though the pile was never watered or turned, over time it broke down into first class compost.

On my first trip back to dump a load of garden debris, a flash of yellow caught my eye. I went over to the shallow end of the compost area and saw that a single, pale yellow fringed tulip had pushed its way up through the compost. It was beautiful--tall and elegant, with fringed petal edges. I wanted it, but when I asked my neighbor about it, she just said, "Oh, it always grows there. Someday I'll move it to a better spot."

Since my neighbor obviously valued the tulip--at least a little--I couldn't just appropriate it. Instead I sought out other fringed varieties, which now populate my garden. Fringed tulips have waxed and waned in popularity over the years and they are probably due for a come-back. Though there are some lovely double forms on the market, I prefer the simplicity of the single types.

Tulips do not always return reliably, but I find that my fringed ones return well, at least for several years. I install a few extra every fall though, to ensure a good display.

Growing Wise : fall planted bulbs

Pink Daffodils

Fringed Tulips