BULBS!
Arnold Trachtenberg (Mon, 08 Sep 2003 18:55:13 PDT)

James;

I have a question and then a suggestion. But first this:

"It has been suspected, for hundreds of years, that the black walnut can
be detrimental to other plants growing around it. Juglone is the
principal allelopathic chemical that is responsible for the inhibition
of growth and the death of some species that grow within close proximity
to the black walnut. Not all plants are affected by juglone.

Juglone is released by the roots of the plant, but it is not very
soluble in water and doesn't travel far in the soil. Some examples of
plants that may be affected are tomatoes, black alders, alfalfa, apple
trees, corns, beans, potatoes and many others. Juglone is also released
from decaying roots and may remain active in the soil for several years
after walnut trees have been removed.

The physiological action of juglone and its allelopathic effects are not
well understood. Research has shown that juglone may alter the normal
oxygen uptake of mitochondria and may also impair photosynthesis which
would lead to decreased growth rates of the effected plants."

So once you get past the juglone, I planted 2500 daffodils under
european beech trees. The bulbs have flourished and multiplied. they
flower ( planted three varieties) for about six weeks and the foliage
gets a chance to ripen prior to the beeches leafing out. The shade
under the beeches is very heavy. It was quite a task planting the bulbs
with digging through the tree roots and the ivy that covers the area
under the trees. A very non bulb person suggested I plant three
varieties that flower early mid and late season. I have February Gold,
Pueblo and Thalia nd the show is great.

Arnold
New Jersey