Gardening With Trees And Flowers
Hyacinths are grown chiefly for color effect; it is their color which most of all attracts our attention. All the leading basic colors are represented. Some varieties are: white, L’Innocence; yellow, City of Haarlam; blue, King of the Blues; pink, Lady Derby; red, La Victorie.
Although hyacinths do best in a sunny, open location, the color of some red varieties does not show its full beauty unless it is protected from the midday sun and cold winds. In strong sunlight, red flowers bleach and lose most of their beauty.
Plant hyacinths in early fall, just as soon as the bulbs can be obtained. Late planting may be done, but sometimes at the expense of flowers and plant. Hyacinths develop a strong root system before any top growth is made. In fact, a strong root system must be developed before the soil freezes, but no top growth should have started because of the possibility of frost injury. The roots prevent the bulbs from being heaved by alternate freezing and thawing, and also cause an immediate growth activity when spring arrives. Keep in mind: “No roots, no flowers; poor roots, poor flowers; good roots, good flowers”.
If for some reason the shipment of bulbs has been delayed until freezing weather, prepare the soil and cover it with a mulch to prevent freezing. After the late planting, again apply a mulch in order to permit the bulbs to develop roots before the soil underneath the mulch becomes frozen.
In a heavy soil place the tips of the bulbs about 3 inches below the surface; in a light soil, 5 inches is better. Cover the smaller bulbs 2-3 inches.
In public squares and parks, replant the bulbs each year with new stock. For home borders the suggestions given for tulips can be followed.
GROWING MISCELLANEOUS BULBS
Camassia (Camas or Quamash)
Several hardy species of Camassia, e.g., C. cuisickii, C. esculenta, and C. leichtlinii are amenable to cultivation. The flower color is mostly blue but there are also white forms. They grow 18-36 inches high and bloom in the spring. Plant the bulbs about 4 inches aeep. They will thrive in wet, almost swampy places.
Chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow)
The flowers appear early, and the colors range from light blue with a white center in C. luciliae to deep blue in the small dainty C. sardensis. They are of easy culture and useful in the rock garden or at the front of the flower border. A fine effect is obtained by naturalizing them in the lawn, under deciduous trees, or around shrubs. Plant about 3 inches deep.
Colchicum
Although often called autumn crocus this fall-flowering bulb is not a crocus; it is a member of the lily family. It differs from most bulbous plants in that it produces its flowers in the fall and its large broad leaves in the spring. The foliage eventually dies away in summer and the flowers appear alone in the fall. Plant it in late summer This bulbous plant will also bloom in a dry state without soil as on a window sill.