Planning a Beautiful Spring Garden

It's not too early to start planning and planting our Spring gardens. Each April, when I'm hungry for signs of life in the garden, I pat myself on the back for planting what seemed like a zillion bulbs in September and October.


Ice Follies

To jog my memory each September, I evaluate pictures of my Spring gardens, then retain, supplement, or change the design. To begin, I ask myself what worked and what didn't work this past year. It's really about personal preferences.

Focus on Color and Plant/Bulb Combinations

Since I love the translucence and the energy of the mixed Apeldoorn tulips in May, I put these where the sun backlights the petals. It really adds excitement to the Spring border. The early orange Emperor tulips also make a bold statement with the yellow Forsythia in Spring. They supply such a wonderful burst of color as the Spring bulb show begins.


Apeldoorn tulips

The red and purple Darwins are wonderful together with a touch of white. Lots of energy there.


Darwin tulips

The smoky purple Darwins complement the violet of the azalea that blooms mid to late May. They look so wonderful in tandem.


A Gorgeous Azalea

The purple Darwin "Queen of the Night" tulip is perfect at the feet of the violet lilacs in May. They look terrific in groups with clusters of two-toned violet pansies intermixed for additional interest.


Soft Lilacs

The Ice Follies daffodils are so wonderful massed. If you have the room, keep adding new clusters in different parts of the garden. Ditto the delicate Thalia daffodils with their wonderful scent arriving so late in May.




Add Some Whimsy

I think that whimsy is always a good idea in the garden. Lindsay's wheelbarrow in the South border adds just the right touch.


Tulips on Parade


Containers Can Provide Flexibility and Color from Spring to Autumn

Nothing, absolutely nothing, compares with the beauty and scent of early double Monte Carlo tulips! They do beautifully in containers, especially when combined with early Muscari for that gorgeous yellow/blue complement. Underplant them with lilies and the show continues through July.


Monte Carlo Tulips

Containers planted with lilies make a nice July statement in the South garden. Add pansies in their midst for more Spring interest and your favorite annuals later in the Summer. If you make a good selection, the summer annuals will continue through early Fall.


Containers in Early Spring