Navigating the ups and Downs of Our Spring Bulb Inventory

This morning, clutching a notepad and sipping a warm cup of tea, I ventured into our backyard to conduct our annual spring bulb inventory. Last year was a tough season, marked by the relentless appetite of voles that wreaked havoc on nearly all our tulip bulbs. Only three tulips managed to survive in the area where we had anticipated a lush display. Despite these setbacks, there was a flicker of hope in our rose bed. Dozens of stunning 'Finola' tulips had flourished there, creating a breathtaking scene. However, this year, only three reappeared, which was both disheartening and baffling. I hadn’t planted any new tulip bulbs last fall since the damage the previous spring had been severe. I wanted to see how things would turn out before deciding on future plans, and now I was checking the results. Just the other day, I spotted one of the culprits—a vole darting between the stones of the dry well, moving back and forth to the lawn. This sight brought back memories of our previous neighbor’s silver-grey cat, Aurora, who used to keep such pests at bay. Under the plum tree, close to the dry well, there was an unexpected and delightful spring bulb show that had somehow escaped the voles' voracious appetite. I’ve been admiring this mix of miniature daffodils (Narcissus) and hyacinths (Hyacinthus) for a week now. Their sizes complement each other perfectly, and their colors are mesmerizing! Currently, we have six blue-purple, four pink, and one white hyacinth in bloom. More will follow after the next festive season! A few years ago, I started saving withered Christmas hyacinths, storing them in a shed with consistent warmth throughout the year, and planting them once the soil thawed. I’ve also been doing the same with tiny Easter daffodils that I either use for indoor displays or plant beside the front entrance. These efforts have resulted in an abundance of them in our garden. Our sandy soil seems to suit these miniature ‘Tete-a-Tete’ daffodils (Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’) particularly well, as they thrive despite the normal-sized daffodils struggling to last more than a couple of years. I’m thrilled to have discovered this vole-resistant combination, which is also visually appealing. The hyacinths and tiny daffodils form a vibrant and refreshing color palette—cheery yellow, bluish-purple, fresh pink, and a touch of white. Each shade evokes different emotions: yellow for happiness and warmth, purple for a cool and calming effect, pink for the freshness of spring, and white for brightness and contrast. This small but striking color scheme serves as a reminder of nature's resilience, even amidst challenges. Looking ahead, we’re refining our bulb-planting strategy for the coming seasons. We’ll focus on more resilient varieties like hyacinths, miniature daffodils, Siberian squills (Scilla Siberica), striped squills (Puschkinia scilloides), glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa luciliae), and snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis). These bulbs naturally spread and adapt well to various conditions. Interestingly, the alliums, known for their strong scent, seemed untouched by voles. While some have been displaced, they haven’t been eaten. I recently found a group of them nestled between the Saskatoon berries (Amelanchier alnifolia) and common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) hedge. I’m now using a shovel to relocate them to their intended spots. As I conclude our inventory, it’s evident that almost all tulips and most crocuses have disappeared, casualties of our unwelcome garden visitors. Gardening continues to teach us the importance of flexibility and adaptation. Join me as I share more stories and tips from our garden journey—starting with the Garden Style Quiz below. [Images of the garden and bulbs are included throughout the text.]

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