According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 80 percent of all flowers sold in the U.S. are imported, primarily from South American industrial flower farms that have a history of using harsh chemical fertilizers, toxic pesticides and unfair labor practices.

Though the sustainable flower market is still tiny, it’s clearly growing. According to the USDA, the number of small flower farms has increased by about 20 percent during the past five years.

Many small flower growers are taking a cue from organic food farmers, who have successfully harnessed the farm-to-table trend. More of us now know where our beef comes from and how our tomatoes are grown, but it rarely occurs to us to ask the same questions about the flowers on our tables.

These bulbs from Holland have been sustainably grown and will be available for purchase this Fall. If you are interested in trialing these varieties, please let us know.

The Drimia maritima, commonly known as the White Squill, is a native of Africa. This exhibition piece has drama, and does well in high visibility locations, and is a perfect solution for non-irrigated properties. It is primarily grown for cut flower production.

The bulb slits dichotomously forming two bulbs for each one. When unearthed, the bulb exposes a heavy husk of dead skin, which provides protection from the heat. The plant produces 12-18″ long leaves of glaucus blue-green strap-shaped leaves, emerging in late fall through late spring. The leaves will senesce in late spring and the flowering stalk will appear from the bulb, similar to a Naked Lady or Amaryllis belladonna. It produces a tall, narrow raceme of silky white flowers and has six tepals each with a dark stripe down the middle.

Plants will flower in three years. Each plant produces one bloom when the bulb goes dormant, typically in August or September. The flower lasts up to three weeks and will rebloom each summer.

There is a minimum purchase of 100 bulbs. FOB Central Valley of California. Pricing upon request.

We’re covering alot in this post, so I’ll condense it down.

During the many years I’ve attended the West Coast Spring Trials, now called CAST, I often found myself noticing how certain flower color patterns had a significantly stronger visual impact. I also began to realize that those flowers that had a white center seemed to stand out from those that did not.

Conversely, I also realized that if the white detailing surrounded a color, that color was often weak and muted.

I found an opportunity to experiment with this phenomena in the daffodil trials I conducted on a street median near my home in Northern California. As a service to my city, we planted Pipit Daffodils (shown on the left) which have a lemon yellow with white center, and Jet Fire (shown on the right) which have a more golden yellow with a orange center. From the feedback I’ve received over the past two years, it is clear that the Pipit has had far more impact than the Jet Fire on my community.

This fall I plan to plant eight additional varieties with white centers and three varieties with white/yellow patterns. There is nothing wrong with the those colors, it is just a matter of seeing what can be improved.

Based upon the feedback I’ve received, I’ve altered my planting list for the 2020 traffic median:

Division 1 Trumpet Daffodils
Lemon Glow – Mid 14/16”
Lunar Sea – Mid 18/20”

Division 2 Large-Cupped Daffodils
Saint Patrick’s Day – Mid 16/18”
Avelon – Late/mid 16/18”
D-2 Aitun Ha –

Division 5 Triandrus Daffodils
Hawera – Late 16/18”

Division 7 Jonquilla Daffodils
Canary – Late/mid 14/16”
New Day Late/mid 14/16”
Pipit- Mid 14/16”
Step Forward – Late/mid 16/18”

Many of us live in coastal climates that are continually warming, so I also want to select varieties that will perennialize under those conditions. The division 1 and 2 varieties generally have shorter lifespans but,  people like large trumpet daffodils.

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I’d like to share some photos from one of my clients out of the midwest.

“The bulbs were spectacular! During this crazy time we had the” perfect storm” of “stay at home,” Easter and extended perfect weather, we had record crowds for over 5 weeks!” – Marilyn M. Brandt | VP Operations, The Lake View Cemetery Association, Cleveland, OH

Trial Notes

I have been planting bulbs in my Marin County backyard garden each December for about ten years. The plants come into flower in the month of March, a time when temperatures have the potential to climb into the 70s and low 80s. To ensure my clients have not only the best products, but also know the best varieties to grow, I’ve taken to conducting trials with a number of the tulips, grape hyacinths and daffodils I import from Holland. In my annual trials, I strive to determine earliness to flower, number of days in flower, and heat tolerance. To do this, I plant the same bulb in various places in the yard, each bed offering more or less sunlight than another. Unlike our recent drought years, this year’s rainfall surpassed everyone’s expectations, so it was fortuitous that I loosened the soil for easy drainage. I also planted using deeper beds and, unlike in years past, used only pre-cooled bulbs.

Planted in cool and mostly dry conditions during the first week of December, this year I ambitiously chose to double the number of bulbs in my garden. I planted 900 tulips, 175 daffodils and 100 muscari or grape hyacinth. The location of the beds varied from early sun (10:00am – 4:30pm); mid-day sun (12:00pm – 4:30pm); and late sun (2:00pm – 4:30pm).

Happily, this year’s garden surpassed my expectations with earliness and days of color, in spite of this year’s warm March temperatures.

I’ve listed the most impressive varieties below:

TULIP

Of the twenty-nine tulip varieties, those that made the biggest impact in my garden were the Gavota. This maroon and yellow 16” Triumph tulip came into bloom on very short stems on March 13 and the color stayed strong until March 29. Interestingly, after its initial bloom, the Gavota stretched to double its height while maintaining its structure and color perfectly, resisting our heavy rain and wind. While it was not the longest blooming of the trial varieties in my garden, it was certainly the most dramatic with its complementary color. It grew well in all the sun conditions it was planted, which was also a pleasant surprise!

The closest runner up to the Gavota was the Rembrandt Mix, which provided the longest blooming tulip, coming in at 32 days. The mix could be planted in a bed that needs to be in color over an extra-long period of time. Most flowers in this mix have streaks in the petals and are white/red to yellow/red in color. In my garden, the La Courtine Single Late Tulip came into flower on March 17 and was still in flower on April 19. This tulip did well in every area – from little to moderate to all-day sun.

MUSCARI / GRAPE HYACINTH

A new trial member in my garden, the Muscari Armeniacum was this year’s best growing Grape Hyacinth. It exceeded my expectation with earlier and bigger flowers than I’ve ever seen. They first flowered on March 4 and was still in full bloom as late as March 24, along with the tulips. The Muscari gave the pot an additional 16 days in flower. Typically used to edge a flower garden, I found this flower made a great potted display with the Beauty of Spring tulips you see planted in the image, left. I feel it would also pair well with a number of bulbs, including both tulips and daffodils. It did well throughout my garden and the sun level was not a factor in its growth nor its floral longevity.

DAFFODIL

I planted seven varieties of daffodils and all did quite well. The two that stood out for me were the showy Split Corona Banana Daiquiri, which is known to have large blooms with uplifting faces, reminiscent of a hibiscus.  This was in flower from March 4 to March 28. Resting on a 16” stem, the large bright yellow flowers measured 3” to 4” across. This daffodil did well in all sun levels. As you can see in the photo, left, the Banana Daiquiri was planted along with Ice King Double Daffodil, which was in flower from March 6 to March 28. These hardy and large, long-lasting flowers had the color power to be seen over a long distance in the garden. They do well in various environments, including pots and beds, and offer early color, longevity, and variety to spring gardens.

Below is the Gander’s Rhapsody and Concerto Tulips bordered by the Muscari Armeniacum.

CULTURE NOTES

Some cut flower growers remove the Tunic from their tulips before planting.

According to one source, this can increase flower production by 5 to 15 percent. Tunic damage occurred in some varieties as the roots grew up under the Tunic and made space for water to collect. In my trial garden, loss in the affected variety were 100%.

Bulbs are an excellent choice in the garden of the future, and with their natural moisture storing structure, most bulbs tend to be more drought resistant than plants without this adaptation. In our record-breaking California drought, with significantly little precipitation and night temperatures noticeably higher here in the Western and Southern parts of the country, landscapers and gardeners must change what we plant, but also when we plant and how deeply we dig into the (now efficiently draining) soil.

Darwin Tulip

And while many consumers are cancelling or postponing their landscaping plans over worries of water shortages and drought-raised irrigation costs, savvy homeowners and landscapers see the drought as an opportunity to replace the often mostly non-native, water-thirsty plants with more efficient gardens, using bulbs and succulents.

Gardens and landscapes comprised of California native plants and bulbs use 60 to 90 percent less water than conventional landscapes and require fewer fertilizers, soil amendments or pesticides, so everybody wins. Many communities are offering kickbacks for replacing lawns with water-efficient gardens. Be sure to check out possible offerings in your community.

Fall is the best time to plant because the winter provides cooler temperatures and rainfall. The plants have an easier time of rooting and becoming established.  Plant bulbs, perennials and shrubs in September or October for best results.

Iris Danfordiae

Bulbs are an excellent choice in the garden of the future, and with their natural moisture storing structure, most bulbs tend to be more drought resistant than plants without this adaptation. Many of these types of bulbs tolerate drought conditions, especially in the summer while dormant.Storing their entire life cycle in a swollen underground stem, the bulb contains the leaves, flowers, food and the bulblet. And most flowering bulbs produce bright-colored flowers, giving the garden seasonal color. Some good choices for California include:

SPRING PLANTING

Foxtail Lily

Foxtail Lily For those who like drama, these sun-loving spiky perennials prefer less windy conditions for obvious reasons. They make lovely cut flower arrangements.

Dahlias These heat and sun-loving dark blue flowering plant blooms from late spring through mid-summer. We carry many varieties and though they typically are water-loving perennials, there are ways to cut your H2O supply. See the link at the end of this article for tips.

FALL PLANTING

Spring bulbs give the garden color after a gray winter. Long, arid summers keep dormant bulbs dry, helping to prevent basal rot and other diseases common where soil conditions are warm and moist.

Darwin Tulips These have the largest of all tulip flowers and are perfect for Northern California.  Use pre-cooled bulbs for planting in beds and containers.

Geranium Daffodil

Geranium Daffodil Extremely drought tolerant for six months of the year, daffodils thrive in Western gardens. With the power to lift our spirits at the end of a drab winter with colorful blooms and fragrance, these sweet smelling daffodils convince us that spring has arrived. Perfect for cut flowers, beds, borders and containers.

Iris Danfordiae This perennial blossoms in January and offers one of the earliest fragrances of the year. The main bulb will eventually split into many bulbets, which will flower after several years. They are suitable for rock gardens and borders.

We can also supply dozens of drought tolerant Tulips, Daffodil, and other varieties. Check out the latest bulb list on our site, www.parkbulbs.com.

Additional information can be found here:

Drought resistant dahlias: http://mybrokengarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-produce-drought-resistant.html

Drought tolerant daffodils: http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/dewy-daffodils-for-a-mediterranean-climate/

Drought tolerant perennials: http://www.perennialresource.com/articles/518_Drought-Tolerant-Perennials.aspx

The following outdoor water conservation requirements apply to most of us in the industry. Violations are viewed as either a civil or criminal infraction punishable by a fine of $500 per day, and may result in the installment of a ‘flow restrictor’ or a shut off of the water source.

1. Any lawn, landscape, or other vegetated irrigation occurring between the hours of 10:00 am and 6:00 pm on any day, except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device, or for very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system.
2. Watering or irrigating a lawn, landscape or other vegetated area in a manner that causes or allows excessive water flow or runoff onto an adjoining sidewalk, driveway, street, alley, gutter or ditch.
3. Washing down hard or paved surfaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or alleys except when necessary to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards, and then only by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off device, a low-volume, high-pressure cleaning machine equipped to recycle any water used, or a low-volume high-pressure water broom.
4. Excessive use, loss or escape of water through breaks, leaks or other malfunctions in the water user’s plumbing or distribution system for any period of time after such escape of water should have reasonably been discovered and corrected and in no event more than seven (7) days of receiving notice from California American Water Company
5. Operating a water fountain or other decorative water feature that does not use re-circulated water.
6. Use of potable water for watering streets with trucks, except for initial wash-down for construction purposes (if street sweeping is not feasible), or to protect the health and safety of the public;
7. Use of potable water for construction purposes, such as consolidation of backfill, dust control, or other uses unless no other source of water or other method can be used and authorize by the utility;
8. Use of potable water for construction purposes unless no other source of water or other method can be used.

Source: http://www.amwater.com/caaw/page22725.html

Trial Notes

I’ve been planting tulips and daffodil bulbs in my Marin County trial garden every December for almost twelve years. The garden is designed to have a variety of sun exposure, from all day to only late afternoon sun. The plants come into flower in the months of February through April, a time when temperatures have the potential to climb into the 70s and low 80s; but these are also Northern California’s rainy months, and at times, like the past week, means we also experience occasional hail and gale force winds. It has been a difficult weather season. February warm and dry weather caused some heat stress in several varieties.

In my annual trials, I strive to determine earliness to flower, number of days in flower, and wind/rain/heat tolerance. I planted using deeper beds the last few years and used only pre-cooled bulbs, planted in cool and mostly dry conditions during the first week of December.

Please feel free to contact me to see which particular variety you are interested in, and I’ll give you exact details as to the growing conditions and life cycle of the blooms in this year’s trials. Click HERE to see the varieties included in the 2018 trials.

TULIPS

Of the thirty tulip varieties, those that made the biggest impact in my garden were the Kikomacki, the Purple Prince and the Stressa.

The Kikomacki, a yellow mid-season tulip withstood our torrential March downpours and wind gusts. This Triumph tulip flowered evenly, in perfect timing with JetfireDaffodil (see below). The Kikomacki is a single early variety with a medium sized flower and a 14” sturdy stem. It came into bloom during the week of February 19th and the color has remained strong throughout March. It grew well in all the sun conditions it was planted, which was also a pleasant surprise! Though it is a single early Tuli, the Purple Prince is also able to withstand stormy weather and it has retained it’s deep violet color, even after our Spring gales. With their sturdiness and lasting color, the Purple Prince makes a great addition to a quintessentially Spring bouquet.

Another tulip worth a mention is the Stresa,  which you see on the far left, next to the United States, which blooms 3 to 5 days earlier and stands taller, as seen in the photograph of our trial garden. The Stresa, a Kaumanniana, is a chameleon of sorts, since it appears more scarlet in the morning and evening, but opens to reveal a more yellow interior in the afternoon sun, so the two are mostly indistinguishable. This shorter variety reaches just 8″-10″ and plants well with the crocus. The Stresa does exceptionally well in full bloom and, because of it’s shorter stature, holds up well in the wind and rain. It’s also a nice alternative to the  United States, which can be a little harder to find. It prefers cooler, wet winters and dry summers if grown in well-ventilated soil.

DAFFODILS

I focused the daffodil trials on less expensive and smaller bulbs, to see the capacity for mass plantings in close space. The first was the Jetfire, a Cyclamineus, mid-season bloomer, with 12-14″ stems. This multiple secondary daffodil bloomed the week of February 17 and is still thriving five weeks later. This firey daffodil is best for mass plantings in close spacing.

the Pipit, a Janquilla daffodil, is a vigorous mid-season bulb known for its long lasting flowers.  The Pipit was in flower from March 4 and is still in full bloom, though the color seems a bit more faded than those that were less exposed to full sunlight. These hardy and large long-lasting flowers had the color power to be seen over a long distance in the garden. They do well in various environments, including pots and beds. Both varieties offer lovely variety to spring gardens.

Below are the honorable mentions from this year’s Trial Garden.

Name and name?

name and name?

name and name?