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This Week in the Garden, March 26, 2010

Carol — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:37:38 +0000

I consider the time when the March Bank is in its full blue regalia to be the calm before the storm; the storm being the flowering flurry of April. There is a quiet composure to the vast blue display and when viewed from a distance, it is one in which you can get visually lost. That tranquility is subtly interrupted by the punctuation of early yellow daffodils near the house and by the Japanese cornel dogwood (Cornus officinalis) by Magnolia Bend. Pools of blue gather in pockets of the landscape, emphasizing the gentle rolls and folds of the hillside. Foliage from earlier flowering and newly emerging bulbs add various shades of green to further accentuate the blue blossoms of the glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa forbesii) and the Siberian squill (Scilla sibirica). The cooler temperatures in the upcoming days should help keep the display going strong and if your schedule allows, visit often and at varying times. The flower color is saturated with almost an electric feel in both the morning and evening light yet takes on the look of a faded pair of blue jeans in the midday sun.

This is a time when the horticulturist who cares for the March Bank takes a deep breath from all of the hard work in preparation for this moment (she does not “tip toe through the tulips”). However, in sections where bulbs such as snowdrops are not part of a successional planting we will divide and transplant the clumps to increase their presence in the garden. Snowdrops (Galanthus) and snowflake (Leucojum) can be divided “in the green” meaning after flower when the foliage is still present. It is recommended with most others bulbs to divide as the foliage is going dormant or in the fall. This may be the best practice but I find that I tend to divide all of my bulbs after flower as it allows me to better visualize their placement. The hastiness on my part may result in a reduction of flower the following year but it is a system that works best for me—otherwise the job may never get done. With gardening tasks we must know thyself!

Filed under: Garden, Garden Tips

“Bank is a whole sheet of bloom”

Linda — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:20:42 +0000

Those words were written by H.F. du Pont in 1916. That blue sheet of the March Bank is predominately Glory-of-the-snow or Chionodoxa forbesii (above), formerly known as Chionodoxa luciliae. Its blossoms are upward facing and star-shaped. The petals are joined at the base, unlike those of the squill. The Siberian squill, Scilla siberica (below), has nodding star-like flowers. Note that their petals are separate. Both are easy to grow and available in the nursery trade.

Posted in Garden, Plants

It’s Blue!

Karen — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:40:52 +0000

Just got in from a quick walk along the March Bank at Winterthur. The blue of Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa lucilliae) and Siberian Squill (Scilla sibirica) is coming along nicely. There is much more blue than I expected with this week’s chilly temperatures. I should never try to second-guess this -or any- garden!

Today, it’s about 55 degrees with bright sun and the flowers are fully open. We’re on the leading edge of the “blue phase” of the March Bank. Over the next week or so, it will become more intensely saturated.

My favorite views in late March are daffodil “clouds” as the dark stubble of leaves emerge on the hillsides, reminding me of a 5 o’clock shadow. Doesn’t sound pretty, does it? It’s like my dad’s scratchy beard mixed with the promise of spring.

This afternoon I encountered two couples walking in the garden. The first woman stated that she and her husband had just come up with a new life plan. They are going to take an afternoon off a week to have lunch at Winterthur and walk in the garden. A worthy idea for enjoying life to the fullest, don’t you think?

I met the second couple walking near the greenhouses and asked if they had seen the March Bank. Oh yes, they said with glee. The woman added that today is their 48th wedding anniversary; they celebrated by enjoying the garden from their favorite bench. The March Bank seems to be blooming just for them!

Posted in Garden, Plants