Gotta Garden

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

What Not to Do: Spring Bulbs

I know it's tempting. You may even have seen lovely pictures (I was sure I had). However, this is one mistake that perhaps you don't have to make...


What's this you ask? Those, my flower friends, are tulips. Tulips that coming up smack next to a tree truck. Why did I plant them there, you ask? (A good question) Well, I didn't exactly. Years ago when I planted them, there was plenty of room between them...and the tree.

That's right. Trees grow. Because I am such an equal opportunity person, here are some daffodils in like circumstances (although a different tree)...


In case that doesn't do it for you, here's a full view...


Something else to consider...those tree roots do not give up any bulbs willingly. You haven't fully appreciated the ramifications of planting bulbs around a tree until you try to remove them. You can't. Or, at least a lot of them will remain and defy your best efforts to extract them. I know. You don't have to make this mistake, do you?

*****
Some of my replacement Cream Beauty crocus are just beginning to bloom...


My learning curve is steep...and while I did not plant these around a tree (especially a tree that later has to be removed)...I did plant them in the four corners of the tree replacement bed....not that they...clearly...are all going to bloom at the same time.

Still, we take whatever blooms we get at this time of year...with temperatures projected to go down to 22 degrees tonight...

5 comments:

Chandramouli S said...

Lovely crocuses! Everyone learns from mistakes and especially a gardener. It's how we become one :)

Jan said...

I have daff's and tulips emerging next to trees, too:) We don't need to remove the trees though (that is what you were getting at, isn't it?). If I did have to remove a tree, though, it wouldn't be any great loss in bulbs for me. The squirrels and voles and/or other critters have made my tulip and daffodil population quite sparse:(
You've reminded me that I need to get out there in the fall and plant lots of bulbs! I hope your new (treeless--or 'replacement tree' area) fills up with lots of color soon!

Shady Gardener said...

Obviously you've been in this site for awhile. :-) Congratulations on your Spring bulbs that are coming up already! Looks great!!

EAL said...

Well, it might not be so bad for them to be by a tree. But in my experience, I have to replace bulbs so often--especially hybrid tulips--that it doesn't much matter if I can't dig them up.

Gotta Garden said...

Hi Chandramouli...as I write today, all is covered in a blanket of snow...good since the temps were very low last night. I trust there are more crocus waiting under that snow. I'm eager to see as I have been gone for five days...and returned to snow!

Hi Jan...yeah, sorta. It's just rather inconvenient for the tree, the bulbs and me to have them jammed up there. Plus, I like to spread my bounty (increased bulbs) around and it is near impossible to pull them out of those roots! Plus, I think it's a bit odd looking to have them so close up...now.

I know I must sound like a broken record, but I never saw a tulip bloom until my cats became family members. That, and the former neighbors moving whose dog was allowed to do his business on them under the cover of darkness...Anyway, it's quite the joy to see them bloom and I would miss them terribly if they weren't there.

(Laughing) Of course, the former tree bed is filled to capacity with...daylilies (and some new daffodils)! Thanks, though.

Yeah, we've been back here since '99...the longest I've ever lived in one place....which is a wonderful thing!

Thank you all!

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