A crazy weather week out there this week- I hope that you are all staying safe and warm during this unprecedented winter storm.
Even though it is chilly out there and we are not into spring yet- I am thinking spring and thinking about any bulbs to plant for spring blooms. We are planting a few things in the garden and doing a bit of garden planning here. And thought tossing it back to thinking spring with this post might help bring some sunshine & warmth your way today too.
Winter Garden- Bulbs & Plans
Oh how I miss the beautiful blooms in the garden. Those layers of pretty purple and white foxgloves, peonies and garden roses make for many happy garden moments. Of course, with February just a few days away- the winter garden is looking a whole lot more like leaves and layers of browns than green and blooms. With a lot of dried plants -winter gardens can feel pretty uninspiring but they can be pretty in their own way. The garden in winter allows you to see where the hardscape might need some extra oomph or where there are spaces to tuck in a few pretty faces. And it is exciting to see the buds starting to swell a bit – and to realize that under all those brown layers- there are blooms that are growing and just waiting to happen. You can see more of our garden last year after we planted it HERE
What are we planting now
Right now it is all about those bulbs. We have already planted a bunch of double tulips- which you might be more familiar with being called ‘peony tulips’. They are a fall/winter planted bulb so you may not be able to order those for this year- but they will ship in fall if you order now. Though we did find some on Amazon a couple weeks ago that were pre-chilled- meaning that the growers had stored them in cold enough temperatures to keep them okay to plant late. So if you decide you have to have them- you might give those a go. (linking below)
We also are adding more Allium bulbs – if you aren’t familiar Allium are fun balls of tiny blooms. Some are huge, some are small -and there are various shades so you can choose what works for your garden.
Dahlias are perfect for ordering right now. I am loving Cafe au Lait (below) but there are so many beautiful dahlias, shades and sizes to choose from.
Ranunculus are another spring planted flower bulb. I have ranunculus on repeat often over here- they are favorites. Ranunculus look kind of like mini peonies or garden roses- lots of layers of ruffly goodness.
And there are an abundance of colors and types of ranunculus to choose from.
Anemone are also on the list. I love the varieties of white anemone – but they do have beautiful shades of pinks, reds, blues and even a green tinted white. (mixed in with hellebores below)
Plans
Aside from planting bulbs currently- we have some upcoming garden plans this spring. As you know we had that crazy winter storm come through a couple of years ago when I first wrote this blog post and unfortunately it did a lot of damage. With the garden, we are going to be rejuvenating those areas as we see which plants pop up and where we need to replant.
On the list for planting this spring- surprise, surprise- foxgloves of course. They are favorites of mine and you need to plant them 2 years in a row to get blooms every year since they only bloom every other year. Though sometimes they surprise you and bloom beautifully again and again.
Also planting more Lavender and Catmint- 2 of my favorites for their foliage and blooms. We need to fill in some of the bulk in areas and they do a wonderful job of filling out and filling in bare spots.
I just ordered 8 more of one of our favorite roses- All Dressed Up have an abundance of blooms and have grown so well- we actually have a few All Dressed Up roses that are blooming and ready to be cut in the garden even this morning. We have been impressed with the size of the bare root roses- and the amount of blooms they provide. They start out bright and saturated and fade beautifully as they open. You can find those HERE.
Of course, lots of other plans on the agenda for this area- so will share more as we get going.
Shop the Look
You can shop for beautiful bulbs at your local garden center or places like Eden Brothers, Michigan Bulb and Holland Bulb. I also have ordered them on Amazon from garden shops there. Linking a few favorites below- just click the photo to shop.
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Beautiful flowers! I would love to see a diagram of your cutting garden design. I have trouble figuring out where to plant. Your garden is magical.
What a fun and uplifting post as spring draws closer! I know next to nothing about gardening, but I’m determined to mature in my understanding. You’re planting several bulbs now. When do you anticipate blooms for each? Thanks for your insight and beautiful post!
Courtney, you are inspiring me to read your plans for each sEason. I am a lover of flowers but we live in a Gated CommUnity with small lots, With that said I plant pots instead. Happy spring.Jean
You have such a pretty garden
Do you have a layout of your garden space?
What a beautiful garden!
courtney, i just loved looking at your gorgeous pictures of your flowers from last year — just so beautiful! Also, nice to read about your plans for this year. i know your garden will be so pretty.
how are your silkies doing? hope they are on the road to recovery. that was such a cute picture of your silkie with those gorgeous flowers.
it will be a little while before we can even think about enjoying flowers. we are actually getting another snowstorm next week. winter just doesn’t want to leave!
thanks for sharing with us, courtney. your posts are so enjoyable!
A MUCH-NEEDED post on this very snowy day here in western pa. Your garden is so magical and inspirational. it reminds me of my favorite you tube channel “our cottage garden”. speaking of have you ever considered that avenue? I would most definetly love that.