Yes my crocuses are sprouting up (I think it's the crocuses although it could be narcissus, they're just the first little shoots) I was wondering if it was worth trying to put some plastic over when the frosts come to give them a bit of protection but it sounds like that's not really needed.
Has anyone tried cutting back bulbs at the end of winter (maybe late Jan) to see if they try again with renewed vigour?? I know day lilies just keep growing no matter how badly you treat them (I have been pretty harsh with mine) but I suspect other plants are less tollerant.
Not the same kind of bulb Benjamin. The spring bulbs we normally think of - daffs, crocus etc - wouldn't regrow. If you cut back crocus foliage too soon, you prevent the bulb building itself up properly for the following year. The foliage provides the nourishment. Cutting back daffs and narcissus at that point would mean losing the flowers altogether, as the flower stems will be among the general foliage.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I too have muscari, iris and alliums. They always grow leaves in autumn and survive perfectly well without protection. I've had them many years so even the severe winters a few years ago didn't bother them. Many of these bulbs originate from mountainous regions so are used to being covered in snow all winter. I agree about allium foliage being tatty when the flowers are out. I plant mine where the leaves will be hidden amongst other plants by the time they flower. Muscari will spread like mad if planted in the ground!
The green of Muscari always comes up at this time and is a right nuisance. I cleared a load out in the summer but its up again all over the rose bed. At least it helps keep the weeds at bay
I am having the same problems and was very interested in the remarks. I must admit I have moved my daffs, anemones, iris, and ranuncula into either my greenhouse or cold frame. With the excessive winds we have had lately I was worried that they would be battened down and that they would become too wet with the excessive rain. A couple of the ranuncula have died back and I think it is because they became too wet, although I trimmed the affected leaves and hopefully they will come up from the middle. I must say all my bulbs are in pots as I hope to sell some at the car boot in the spring, the way the daffs are going they may be ready for Christmas!
I think as gardeners we have to accept that normal weather patterns are no longer and that we have to take what comes and "wing" it to a certain extent.
Should have read these posts first - I've posted to ask whether I can move my bearded Iris from its pot to a bed now that it has leaves sprouting (which it never has before). So many things still flowering in November - strange weather.
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Has anyone tried cutting back bulbs at the end of winter (maybe late Jan) to see if they try again with renewed vigour?? I know day lilies just keep growing no matter how badly you treat them (I have been pretty harsh with mine) but I suspect other plants are less tollerant.
What do people think?
Not the same kind of bulb Benjamin. The spring bulbs we normally think of - daffs, crocus etc - wouldn't regrow. If you cut back crocus foliage too soon, you prevent the bulb building itself up properly for the following year. The foliage provides the nourishment. Cutting back daffs and narcissus at that point would mean losing the flowers altogether, as the flower stems will be among the general foliage.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I thought as much to be honest.
I have snowdrops sprouting too
Daylilies are indestructable Benjamin and aren't a bulb like the asiatic lilies but a thick rooted perennial.
I too have muscari, iris and alliums. They always grow leaves in autumn and survive perfectly well without protection. I've had them many years so even the severe winters a few years ago didn't bother them. Many of these bulbs originate from mountainous regions so are used to being covered in snow all winter. I agree about allium foliage being tatty when the flowers are out. I plant mine where the leaves will be hidden amongst other plants by the time they flower. Muscari will spread like mad if planted in the ground!
The green of Muscari always comes up at this time and is a right nuisance. I cleared a load out in the summer but its up again all over the rose bed. At least it helps keep the weeds at bay
Liz88 have you tried takin Echinacea for your cold? If you take it when you have early symptoms of a cold it generally stops you from catching it !
I am having the same problems and was very interested in the remarks. I must admit I have moved my daffs, anemones, iris, and ranuncula into either my greenhouse or cold frame. With the excessive winds we have had lately I was worried that they would be battened down and that they would become too wet with the excessive rain. A couple of the ranuncula have died back and I think it is because they became too wet, although I trimmed the affected leaves and hopefully they will come up from the middle. I must say all my bulbs are in pots as I hope to sell some at the car boot in the spring, the way the daffs are going they may be ready for Christmas!
I think as gardeners we have to accept that normal weather patterns are no longer and that we have to take what comes and "wing" it to a certain extent.
Should have read these posts first - I've posted to ask whether I can move my bearded Iris from its pot to a bed now that it has leaves sprouting (which it never has before). So many things still flowering in November - strange weather.