
I usually buy a half dozen or so pots of spring bulbs in late winter. You know, to brighten up the table while we wait for the snow to melt, and the real things start to pop out of the ground. I like to get the mini-daffs, ‘Tête-à-tête,’ or some grape hyacinth – Muscari sp. – because after the flowers fade, if I keep them watered, adding a bit of fertilizer, the foliage will remain green until I can get them outside, still in their pots. Then, when my planted bulbs are blooming in the garden, I can see where there are gaps, or where an additional splash of colour would be welcome, and I take the bulbs from their pots and plant them, generally deeper than they were grown in the pot, especially for the daffs. They’ll come back year after year. (Tulips and Hyacinths not so much though, I don’t usually bother with them.)
It is nice to see that someone else appreciates grape hyacinth. I got the same grape hyacinth that I met in 1976. I just got my first white grape hyacinth from Tangly Cottage Garden a few days ago.
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The white ones aren’t as robust as the blue varieties, in my garden least, but they look pretty good planted together.
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I was told the same when I go them, but am not dissuaded. My original blue grape hyacinth have history, and I wanted a white version to go with them, although not mixed. These white grape hyacinth seem to be very similar in regard to floral structure to my blue grape hyacinth, but even if they are less vigorous, I like them because they also have history.
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Having a personal connection to a plant makes a difference, eh? When deciding to grow or compost?
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Oh yes! I am so pleased with these white grape hyacinth from Ilwaco!
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A great way to enjoy these.
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😊😊
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I do exactly the same as you-planting out faded indoor bulbs which have brightened the house into gaps in my front lawn. Tete a Tete, Crocus and Muscari and I live the opposite side of the Atlantic near Liverpool!
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Kind of thrilling, eh, Hilary, that two gardeners 6,500 km apart share a similar garden palette! Sadly, crocuses don’t last in my soil – well, perhaps the chipmunk population have something to do with that!
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I’m a great fan of white flowers, but in this case the blue seem more appealing to me. I certainly can see the appeal of having a few pots of them around to help ease that disease known as gardener’s impatience.
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Ha! You hit the nail on the head! And I too prefer the blue…
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That’s what I do too, but have never actually grown grape hyacinth indoors. Great idea, and so pretty. I don’t like the larger hyacinths indoors because of the smell, but I do like some primulas or miniature narcissi. Now I wish I had bought the little pot of grape hyacinths I saw yesterday while shopping!
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LOL! I think of these potted bulbs as a really good investment, since they give you immediate joy, as well as returning year after year.
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