Acquisitions

Good-bye, Corydalis, I hardly knew ye

– Posted in: Plant info

In September 2004 I planted 4 different Corydalis bulbs that I had ordered from Odyssey Bulbs. They promised to be exquisite, so I could hardly wait until spring, and started patroling the vicinity as soon as the snow had melted. I especially wanted to see Corydalis bracteata (not offered this year), which owner Russell Stafford [...]

Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’

– Posted in: Colchicums

Some of you may recall that my first acquistion of Colchicum byzantinum 'Album' was an impostor. This beauty is undoubtedly the real thing. Not only is it white, but it has the same structure of petals and general floriferous character of the species. I just received and planted this earlier this autumn from Odyssey Bulbs, [...]

Colchicum speciosum

– Posted in: Colchicums

I bought this from Odyssey Bulbs because I wanted to see how it compared with the C. speciosum I had gotten from another source several years earlier. Wouldn't you know it, I forgot to take a whiff of the newcomer. But it looks pretty much like the other speciosum. I guess having a lilac tube [...]

My Arbor Day

– Posted in: Fruit, Garden chores

My two plum trees arrived yesterday. I have been very pleased with the condition and packing of everything that I've bought from St. Lawrence Nurseries. The plants are always well wrapped and in good condition. I can tell a lot of personal work went into packing the plants. So far I've bought grape vines, a [...]

Goodies in the Mail

– Posted in: Colchicums, Plant info

It's colchicum season again, both for planting and blooming. What's a colchicum? Well, I gave this brief explanation last year, when colchicum season was in full force. Since colchicums bloom in September and October, they need to be mailed out earlier than the other bulbs you plant in the fall. My colchicum order from Odyssey [...]

Planting prima donna peonies

– Posted in: How-to, Peonies, Plant info

The peonies from Reath's came on Monday the 7th, but because of various commitments I couldn't plant them until Thursday. They came wrapped in plastic with wood shavings to keep them damp, and then the whole shebang was packed in straw or hay--the first time I ever saw that used as a shipping material. I [...]