Walking In A "Pseudo" Winter Wonderland....

Today was quite cool but the precipitation held off until after lunch. We had a productive morning and continued working outside as it's becoming "crunch time" for finalizing this Holiday Lights Show. The drizzle was mostly rain with hints of snow and sleet. The picture above is of the purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer') that we have throughout the gardens (November photo). It has a nice orange-yellow fall color although it does not stand up to snow and ice and will not be of any winter interest. The plumes you see are from a grass further behind these three specimens. It's usually flattened by early December. However, this is a nice tall grass that has the bulk of it's foliage below 3' tall and then sends up wispy flower stalks to 7' tall (total). This grass is termed a "transparent" grass as you can still see thru it (there is actually another variety of this grass called 'Transparent'!). We use it as a barrier but not a screen. It is nice in combination with other perennials as well (see below-look behind purple coneflower!). See the picture at the bottom for an idea of ornamental grasses used successfully in the landscape.
The moisture didn't stop Marv & Marianne (volunteering) from helping with the lights show while Janice worked with Heidi and Barb out in the garden as we finish the last of our bulb planting and clean-up. Larry and I worked on cords while Rick and Tony cleaned up debris and helped with show set-up as well. Bill and Dr. Gredler were also around to help in the gardens. I small, damp crew but we accomplished a lot on what I thought would be a "rain/snow out"! The ground isn't frozen yet so head out and get some discounted bulbs this weekend and get them in the ground. A nice way to incorporate multiple types of bulbs in the same hole is called "bulb lasagne". This is a great way to segway color, particularly in a small space. See the article below for some ideas.

This article refers not to a recipe with an “edible result” but a gardening technique that will result in a “feast for the eyes” next spring. This planting approach, also called bulb layering, will maximize the spring color impact of your bulb plantings by allowing you to fill your planting hole with multiple varieties of bulbs.

With cooler temperatures affecting our waning gardens, fall tasks will include leaf collection, mulching and ideally, bulb planting as well. October is the time to start planting spring blooming bulbs in the soil. Bulbs can be safely planted as long as you can still work the soil. Garden Centers abound right now with many bulb choices for your spring garden, whether it’s daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, ornamental onions (Allium) or some other hardy and/or rare selection.

While the results of your labor will be appreciated 5-7 months from now, why not consider a “bulb sandwiching” system that combines different types of bulbs and makes the most out of a small garden space? It’s useful and effective to plant bulbs in tandem with other bulbs and perennials to create sequential color and exciting combinations. Smaller gardens will benefit greatly from this approach.

When considering a space for bulb planting, envision your planting hole as a space to accommodate three levels of bulbs that may bloom together or have a staggered appeal. Dig wide holes 12” down and incorporate some coarse sand, compost and a sprinkle of Milorganite fertilizer in to a layer of loose soil at the bottom of this hole. Then plant larger bulbs such as daffodils, large alliums or camassia in this lower level with the bottoms of the bulbs resting at roughly 9” depth. Add loose soil until just over the tips of those bulbs, then “nestle” in bulbs such as tulips and hyacinths at 5-6” planting depth with again, the installation of another covering of loose soil. The remaining 3” of your hole can be filled with smaller bulbs such as Siberian squill, grape hyacinth, snowdrops, crocus or other smaller bulbs that can be planted 2-3” under the soil level. Fill the hole and sprinkle Milorganite on top as a light fertilizer and rodent deterrent (“anti-digging”). It is vital that the filled hole is watered well but also has excellent drainage.

This “bulb lasagne”, with all its layers, will showcase a wide range of plants in a small space. Deeper planted bulbs will find their way to the surface around the other bulbs planted around them. Depending on your bulb selection, you should see reliable spring colors as your planting hole explodes with a wide range of wonderful spring plants. Bulb layering can also be done with just two levels. Consider the bloom times of your selections and consider a staggered approach. Perhaps your planting hole shows wonderful snowdrops in April, followed by early tulips in May and a final transition to ornamental onions (Allium) in early June. Or perhaps your planting approach seeks to combine plants with the same bloom times.

A final touch to your bulb lasagne could be a perennial plant above the bulbs, installed at ground level. Overplanting the space with an appropriate perennial will allow that perennial to dominate the space (as it fills in) after you have already enjoyed color from your bulb layering approach. This space could have been wasted in terms of color if you were simply waiting until late May for the perennial to fill out. Incorporate color early and often by utilizing the wide gamut of spring blooming bulbs that are available to you as you read this article. Consider following the easy recipe for the delectable Bulb Lasagne!