Arranging a bulb display
James Waddick (Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:43:04 PDT)

Dear Jane,
I think you have given a broad range of options. I love the
systematic idea, but I doubt it works in a home garden very well.
The tall in back/short in front (TB/SF) is so obvious that it seems
it can fit with any other format.

Basically, being a lazy gardener, I'd opt for grouping bulbs
that need similar care and TB/SF. Theoretically these might also have
similar bloom season and make the casual visit to the garden more
attractive.

I just doubt you can have a show in all beds all year. Much
as that might be nice some beds will be either dormant or just in
foliage. Beds that need similar care should have similar growth
cycles and are more likely to be h\showy at similar seasons.

In the long run I'd want to have each bed to show off as much
as possible and I think a similar care, similar growth cycle offers
the best option. Your "snowmelt species such as Tecophilaea
cyanocrocus, Lewisia brachycalyx, and Crocus sieberi," are a good
example. These would, of course, be the short in front examples.

Good luck and I hope you'll experiment and have fun in making
the beds. Could be lots of surprises.

Best Jim W.

--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +