Yearly theme at Keukenhof Garden

Every year the folks at Keukenhof Gardens have a specific theme and 2012 is "Poland - Heart of Europe". They then plant an area with over 50,000 bulbs and create a mosaic in bulbs.

The mosaic shows a portrait of Chopin, born in Poland. The mosaic has a size of 12 by 20 meters and is planted with 50,000 bulbs. As you can see the bulbs are planted quite close together.

Chopin Mosaic

Eric and Guus

Go to the web site for Keukenhof (find the link in previous post) and you can see some neat You Tube videos, one in particular shows them planting the bulbs.

It's a big place, so walking it can be pretty exhausting. Eric and Guus needed to take a break as you can see.

The Crown imperial or Kaiser's Crown (Fritillaria imperialis)

 If you've never seen these growing you would think this to be the craziest spring bulb out there. It looks like something from a more tropical land. I snapped these photos at he Keukenhof Gardens In Holland. Remember to plant them as soon as you get them, don't leave them in the car, they smell pretty strong.

Fritillaria imperialis is a native of the Nochiya region in the Middle East, which lies at the heart of the geographical region known as Kurdistan that overlaps where the borders of Iran, Iraq and Turkey meet. Due to the way that the bulb is formed, with the stem emerging from a depression, it is best to plant it on its side, to prevent water causing rot at the top of the bulb.Fritillaria imperialis requires full sun for best growth, and sandy, well-drained soil for permanence. After flowering and complete drying of the leaves, the stems should be cut off just above the ground.  While the native form is orange in color, reds and yellows have been brought through cultivation, but are not as hardy.

Frittalaria Aurora

It's Time to Plants Bulbs for Spring

Just a reminder that now is the time to plant those bulbs that we love to see blooming in Spring. Pictured are several varieties of Alliums.

Allium Purple Sensation

Allium sphaerocephalon (drumsticks)

Allium Ivory Queen

Allium Giganteum and Christophii

Allium Giganteum

Village of Arlington Heights may lose all ash trees to emerald ash borer

Not a very encouraging thing, it reminds me of when I was young and they tore down all the elms in Chicago. The streets were lined from one end of the block to the other with tree limbs. It looks like it is happening again.

"In the next five years, Arlington Heights officials predict the village could lose all of its ash trees to the emerald ash borer – leaving it without one-third of its trees.

In neighborhoods like Greenbrier, Burr Oak and Northgate, where the ash population tops 60 percent of the total trees, that could mean a lot of bare streets."

see this article http://triblocal.com/arlington-heights/2011/10/13/village-may-lose-all-ash-trees-to-emerald-ash-borer/

The question now is what do we plant next, will the town I live in have a plan? More to come.

New Blends for Fall 2011

Blend Hot Tamale

Blend Burning Embers

Blend Davis Did It

Blend Most Admired

We have added 4 new blends to our "Blends and Mixtures" for Fall 2011, they are 'Burning Embers', Hot Tamale', 'Most Admired' and 'Davis Did It'. Four great tulips blends with some different shapes and styles. 'Davis Did It' is this years "Designer Behind the Blend", put together by Jim Davis using the lily flowering 'Maggie Daley' tulip.

Tall Bearded Iris Showing Off

Iris 'Firebreather'

Iris 'War Chief' center view

Iris 'War Chief'

Two of my most anticipated Tall Bearded Iris have bloomed in the garden. 'War Chief' and 'Firebreather', both of these I planted last year for their names and color. I loved the bright orange color I had seen in photos of 'Firebreather, and it did not disappoint, great color, lots of flowers. 'War Cheif' starts out a little on the purpley side but matures to an almost chocolate wine red, with orange beards and a center that looks like it is on fire when you look straight down on it. I can't wait to head out to Breezeway Iris Gardens and Hornbaker Gardens to see their Iris' in the fields. I'm always looking for seasonally unique, different or showy colors in the garden and I think these to fall into these categories.

Fall 2011 Early Blooming Iris'

Absolute Joy (SDB)

Cat's Eye (SDB)

Circus Dragon (SDB)

Fission Chips (MDB)

We at DeVroomen, have updated our Dwarf Bearded Iris program for Fall 2011 and if you are not familiar with the Dwarf Bearded Iris let me fill you in on why these should be in your garden or part of your grower program.

First, there are 2 classifications, Miniature Dwarf and Standard Dwarf. The difference is simple, miniatures are up to 8" tall and standards or 8" to 16". Miniatures are the earliest to bloom with the standards blooming slightly later. My standards in the garden are blooming right now, and I'm loving it. I first noticed the dwarf iris when I was at the trial garden at Wisley Garden.

Raindance Returns (SDB, Rebloomer)

The new additions are Absolute Joy (SDB), Cat's Eye (SDB), Circus Dragon (SDB),  Fission Chips (MDB) and Raindance Returns (SDB, Rebloomer).

Iris  Candy Apple (SDB) we had to keep in the program from last year, it fills out our color pallette so nicely.

Candy Apple (SDB)

Let me know if you have a favorite, either one of our's or one of your own.