Springtime Display

One of my favorite things of all time is Springtime in New York City. A few blocks from my apartment building, this gorgeous display of spring flowers was in bloom. Isn't it spectacular? Seeing this pop of color really makes you feel like the grey winter is finally behind us. Ah, Spring! You are definitely my favorite season!

Cheering myself up!

On Friday, it rained and it was cold and wet.  I finally got around to meeting with my accountant to do my taxes for 2013, and found out some crappy news,  I owe a lot more money in taxes. Bummer. I was feeling really down in the dumps. The only thing I know that always cheers me up are these. On my way home, I stopped at our local bodega and picked up a pot of spring bulbs. One of my favorite flowers! I just love the smell of hyacinths and love how pretty they are. They instantly put a smile on my face! Yeah, I feel a little better already! Love spring flowers!

I Can't Resist a Sale

The hubs and I were at the supermarket the other day, and I saw that they were having an amazing sale on potted bulbs.  Usually supermarket bulbs look like such crap, but these were pretty nice looking.  In fact, they were beautiful.  There were 3 hyacinth bulbs in each pot, and they were on sale for 3 pots for $9.99.  I can't pass up a good bargain...ever.  Into the shopping cart they went, and came home with us.  The smell was so intoxicating, with these 3 pots together, how could I pass up such a good deal?  I just love the scent of hyacinths.

I knew exactly what I wanted to do with 2 of the pots.  I decided to plant them outside in my front flower garden.  I had so many empty spaces that I wanted to fill, so I planted the hyacinths between the daffodils to try to fill in those spaces. 

I hope that the hyacinth bulbs will duplicate as easily as daffodils do.  I want the entire space to fill up with bulbs. 

The 3rd flower pot I gave away to my Aunt since she also loves hyacinths.  I hope she enjoys them as much as I do!  I'm sure she will.

Fall Bulbs on Sale!

I received an email from Gardener's Supply Company the other day and in the email it said that fall bulbs were on sale and that you could save 75% on the fall bulbs.  Just look at these great prices!  (Update: their sale is over) Of course I fell for it and ordered a few bulbs.  Well, okay, maybe more than a few bulbs.  I ordered daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, stargazer lilies and a multi-pack of bulbs that include irises, more tulips, more daffodils and crocus.  When I got the package in the mail, it was like Christmas!!

 The bulbs looked really healthy and amazing!  Now to find room to plant all of these! 

Anniversary Gifts

Last month was my 2nd year anniversary, and the hubs surprised me with a bag of daffodil bulbs. He listens well. He knows that I've been wanting to buy bulbs for the front flower garden. I love flowers and plants as gifts, so this made me super giddy. 

Then in the mail, we received a package from White Flower Farm.  His Grammy had sent 2 Nancy Nora Peony bare roots as an anniversary gift.  It was so thoughtful of her.  Peonies are my most favorite flower.  I absolutely adore them, from the large blooms to the fragrance!  It's so wonderful. The bare roots came nicely wrapped in wet newspaper.

The bare root was a really nice size. Very large as you can see.

I am not sure where to plant these peonies yet, so I decided to plant the bare roots in containers for now.  Does anyone know if I can keep them in containers throughout the winter and plant them in the spring?  And does anyone know when I stop watering them for the winter?  Should I stop after the first snowfall?

The directions said to plant the bulb until the buds are just barely an inch under the soil.

I can't wait until the peonies start growing into a bush in the spring.  I am soooo excited!  My friend told me that bare root peonies usually take 3 years to flower.  Ugh, I can't wait that long!  As a gift to myself, I also order some Crocus Sativus from McClure and Zimmerman.  $7.95 for 12 bulbs, I thought that was a great bargain.  I ordered from them because I read on Greensparrow's blog that they were a good company to order bulbs from.  I ordered these bulbs after reading about them on Greenish Thumb.  I never knew that is where saffron comes from.  I love using saffron in cooking but I rarely buy it because it's so expensive.  How awesome that you can grow your own.  I bought a dozen bulbs to plant in the garden, I can't wait until they come up next October!  Fun!!