Comments on: Daffodil, Affodil

By: Deirdre Larkin

Deirdre Larkin — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:26:52 +0000

nbmandel—Of course, bulbs can be left in the ground and will multiply greatly over the years, but there is not sufficient room in the small, raised beds of our gardens to allow them to form large colonies over time. Some, but not all, of the bulbs planted for spring display are dug up once they have finished flowering, in order to make room for annuals and biennials, or tender perennial species that are reintroduced after the danger of frost has passed. The spent bulbs are planted in the orchard, or elsewhere on the outside grounds where they can grow undisturbed. Ditto for the forced bulbs, which do eventually recover and contribute to the display. Fresh bulbs are planted in the gardens once the annuals and tender perennials have died back or been removed in October.

By: Deirdre Larkin

Deirdre Larkin — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:24:50 +0000

Thank you, Ann. I hope you’ll visit often.

By: Deirdre Larkin

Deirdre Larkin — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:24:35 +0000

Thanks, Thea—I hope you’ll let me know when you next visit The Cloisters.

By: nbmandel

nbmandel — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:23:39 +0000

Ah, I’ve just read backwards to your post on forcing bulbs. Of course you need to buy fresh bulbs in that case.

By: nbmandel

nbmandel — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:23:19 +0000

I am curious why — aside from wishing to obtain a more authentic type — you plant fresh daffodils each year. They ought to be perennial, and even to spread. Do you dig the bulbs after bloom in order to plant later-bloomers? Or am I mistaken?

By: ann cannon

ann cannon — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:22:16 +0000

Your blog is a treasure. Whenever I need a quick mental vacation, I come here. Thank you.

By: Thea McGinnis

Thea McGinnis — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:21:21 +0000

great poem! thanks for the medicinal info on daffodils. as always, very informative and useful info. thanks, Deidre!