Bulbs in lawns

James Waddick jwaddick@kc.rr.com
Thu, 02 Sep 2004 06:36:54 PDT
Dear All;
	I have three "bulb lawns".
	We started with a gently sloping s-w facing area with 
Reticulata iris, these did great until the retics dwindled. Now 
others do better in more shade. Next came Crocus, but these were 
removed by the tree rats* These have gradually been replaced by a 
combination of Anemone blanda (mostly 'White Splendor') and 
Chinodoxa. These do great. No mowing until foliage dies back. Not too 
long or unsightly.

	In a more westerly and more sloping site there's about 800 
mixed(but named) daffodils. These do great and have multiplied well. 
They keep foliage for an awfully long time, but the area is not 
visible from the street and we just wait til foliage yellows to mow. 
This used to be in Crocus, but the tree rats ate almost every one. 
Now the remainder seem to flourish in between the daffodils. I think 
the daffs repel the 'taste sampling' of the tree rats. We have added 
some more- mostly C. sieberi 'Firefly' and 'Tricolor'.

	Along a fifty foot or so concrete walkway we have both sides 
lined with Crocus tomasinianus, but the tree rats have made this very 
sparse.

	This all seems to point out that most of these bulbs do fine 
in grass, but natural barriers: tree rats, climate extremes have 
forced alternate and successful plantings.

	Last year we under-planted a lightly shaded area with 'blue 
shades' of Anemone blanda and loved the color mix. Need another 500 
or so bulbs.

	I'd give high praise to a bulb lawn if you don't mind more - 
or less- grassy mess (and a few weeds, but not excessive).

		Best	Jim W.



* tree rats are also known as grey squirrels, but this is too kind 
and avoids calling a rat a rat!
-- 
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph.    816-746-1949
E-fax  419-781-8594

Zone 5 Record low -23F
	Summer 100F +


More information about the pbs mailing list