The Care and Feeding of Amaryllis Bulbs

The showy amaryllis bulb plant was named after a shepherdess – who for some exotic reason was often referred to by the Romantic poets. Milton’s poem Lycidas. “Were it not better done as other use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neara’s hair?” is a perfect example of [...]

Potted Tulips

There’s a sea of potted tulips in the stores now and I suspect more than a few have drifted into assorted kitchens in the guise of Valentine’s Day presents. What follows is a quick and dirty guide to the growing and rescue of these bulbs.
Enjoy and How To Extend the Bloom
The [...]

Hedychium ‘Tahitian Flame’

I have this variegated-leaf Ginger in a pot on my front porch but alas, it doesn’t have this bloom on it. In fact, I’ve never been able to get this tender plant to bloom. I go away for the winter and this plant languishes in my basement where it is simply too cold [...]

Another Fall Online Order

I went to Fraser’s Thimble Farm as well to see what was on offer out there in BC this fall. And I filled up my order from this small specialist plant nursery. Check ‘em out – I think you’re going to like the plants.
Now – this is a small family nursery [...]

Ordering Fall Plants Online

I’ve just had an interesting experience ordering plants online that I thought I’d share. The first nursery – Botanus – sent me a catalogue earlier in the summer and I just got around to ordering a few new bulbs to grace the garden. I didn’t order anything out of the ordinary but basic staple [...]

Names of spring flowers

Who could wax poetic about the names of spring flowers? I mean think about it for a minute.
We’ve got Narcissus – named after a guy who couldn’t stop looking at himself in the mirror and which are one of the most poisonous of spring bulbs.
We’ve got Brunnera, named after Samuel Brunner, [...]