🌷 my floricult spring bulb collection is available!🌷
my top 8 bulbs for immediate planting, pick up in ardmore
There is nothing harder in the garden world than willing yourself to purchase a bulb in October when you are exhausted from the summer, knowing that you will bury it and not see it’s bloom for another 4-5 months. It is for this reason that I have exceptionally few bulbs. But, without fail, every February when I see the late winter flowers daring to pop up around town, I am disappointed in myself that I did not power. through. and. make. it. happen.
I am tired of shopping online, shipping is expensive, and inventory is lacking in local shops. The choices are overwhelming and paralyzing. In general, bulbs are pricy. And how do you know how many to get?
Well — this is THE YEAR that I will at last have a magnificent show of my own. I have decided to create a ~ Floricult collection ~ of my select 8 bulbs. For my Winston / Triad friends, I have over-ordered in bulk so that you can partake!!
HOW TO GET THEM: Prices are below and you must pickup in Ardmore. Message me on IG or email me (lauren@floricult.com). I can Venmo or take cash/check when you pick up. <3
Important Note: Bulbs are divided into two categories. (a) Fall planting for spring blooming and (b) spring planting for summer blooming — with this batch, some are bulbs, some are tubers/rhizomes. The collection below is meant to be planted in the next 30-45 days, and will come up starting in February. In the spring, I will likely do a spring planting order for dahlias, ranunculus, freesia, and anemone.
Without further adieu, my selects:
(1) Crocus Autumn Flowering 'Sativus' Saffron
Did you know that this crocus is where SAFFRON comes from?! Saffron is the most expensive spice because it is the little bright orange stamens that you see in this flower. No other part of the flower is edible — this is a rare bulb plant that serves your kitchen and blooms when everything else in the yard is fading. All the other bulbs listed are for planting now and blooming in the spring, but these will come up as soon as you put them in the ground. I am planting 50 to start.
Flowers: Early Fall (September - October), a few weeks after planting!!
Floricult Price: 20 for $20
(2) Bridal Crown Daffodil
I chose this daffodil not only for it’s texture, but after reading trial results, I consistently found that the blooms lasted longer than other bunch flowering daffodils (even Cheerfulness) and was the most fragrant of all of them. It’s particularly excellent for the south and warmer regions. I want to grow enough to have the luxury of using them for cut flowers this year, so this is my splurge. I am planting ~75.
Flowers: Early-Mid Spring
Floricult Price: 20 for $20
Ok. I am a sucker for crocuses. THEY’RE JUST SO PRESH. Our previous homeowner had stuck them along the rock wall in the backyard, and when they popped up in the dead of a miserable February, it brought me back to life.
Crocuses die back around the time when grass starts growing again, so you can plant them not just in beds but IN YOUR LAWN and then mow over them all year long.
I am obsessed, so in addition to the Saffron variety, I am bringing in 3 more (below).
(3) Crocus Species 'Blue Pearl'
I picked this variety because they are quite vintage looking and I love the muted tones. They reach about 4” in height and as one of the smaller varieties, they will bloom the earliest. I will plant about 50.
Flowers: February-March
Floricult Price: 50 for $35
(4) Crocus Giant 'Pickwick'
If I’m being honest, I chose these after seeing @monologue’s front lawn in England. I think the soft pinstripe is more interesting than the flat purple, and this is a large bloom variety with stems reaching 6”! I am going to experiment with planting these throughout the front lawn here, with ferns and the bridal crown daffodils as their backdrop. This is my other splurge, and will likely plant at least 100.
Flowers: February-March
Floricult Price: 50 for $35
(5) Crocus Giant ‘Golden Yellow’
I chose these to honor the few yellow ones already at home in my backyard. I will be planting more of them, as the backyard is particularly dreary in February and I can’t believe mine pop up around Valentines Day. I actually prefer the yellow along rock walls and pathways rather than in grass; they contrast so well with stone. I will plant a few pockets of 10, here and there.
Flowers: February-March
Floricult Price: 50 for $35
I do not currently have a single tulip on my property — I have vowed to add them this year. So many terrible things have been done with tulips and I do not think of the grand, beautiful uses for them first and foremost. I mean, look at this nightmare:
Tulips also take up a lot of space in my childhood memory bank — I think mostly because of Easter family photos? When we lived in Birmingham, there were massive tulips everywhere and they were every family’s favorite for somewhat kitschy photo taking — look at baby me! Looking back, the tulips were gorgeous and it was my collar rosette that I take issue with.
(6) Tulipa Darwin Hybrid 'Salmon Impression'
All three tulips I am choosing this year are Darwin Hybrids. They are 2’ tall, sturdy, and can survive windy, wet springs and their bulbs will survive hot drought-y summers. They are the premier staple tulip to begin with and are a nice anchor to any of the more flouncy, collectible varieties I plan to add in later on. They have the best odds of coming back every year ( — most tulips will NOT — ) and when they open, they can reach almost 6” across.
Flowers: Mid-Late Spring
Floricult Price: 25 for $25
(7) Tulipa Darwin Hybrid 'Hakuu’ (White Clouds)
Same as above, just white and gorgeous. I like these for the edge of a shade garden — fitting for English or French-style gardens, as they can appear wild-like (almost a large snowdrop?) or very well plotted.
Flowers: Mid-Late Spring
Floricult Price: 25 for $25
(8) Tulipa Darwin Hybrid 'Golden Parade’
These are just happiness incarnate. I love a strong, soft yellow because it pairs well with so many other colors: whites, pinks, blues, purples, oranges, anything salmon-y. But my favorite thing to do with yellows is plant them in large swaths and have them speak for themselves.
Flowers: Mid-Late Spring
Floricult Price: 25 for $25
Planting Instructions
HOW — This vintage image shows how far apart and how deep to plant your respective bulbs.
WHEN — Now! Fall bulbs are planted in October and November. (Early December if it’s very mild, but it’s not looking that way.)
WHERE — This little video by Royal Horticulture Society shows you how to plant them, where they can go, and some tips for ensuring they look natural.
WITH WHAT — You can get a little handheld bulb planter which is fine (it’s what I use) or invest in one with a long handle (which I might switch to since I’m planting a couple hundred) to use while standing. Or, you can just use the faithful hori hori knife, and not purchase anything new!
DO I FERTILIZE — You can, but it is often not necessary. Adding bone meal as a phosphorus source can really help bulbs be vigorous and reproduce rapidly, but most soil already has plenty. Plus, adding bone meal can attract raccoons or squirrels to dig up your newly planted bulbs. I will likely plant without fertilizer, and then after blooming in the spring, I will apply Bulb-Tone. If you are planting in an area that’s been home to aggressive feeders (like tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, carrots), you should consider adding fertilizer.
How To Buy
If you are in Winston-Salem, NC — message me on Instagram to arrange purchase + pickup.
If you’re in another city, I have identified who still has them in-stock online:
Eden Brothers: Saffron Crocus, Blue Pearl Crocus, Golden Parade Tulip,
Dutch Grown: Bridal Crown Daffodil, Salmon Impression Tulip
John Scheepers: Yellow Crocus, Pickwick Crocus, Hakuun / White Clouds Tulip, Golden Parade Tulip
See you in my inbox :)
Lauren
Keep a green tree in your heart, and perhaps the singing bird will come. — Chinese proverb