Naturalizing a Property with Bulbs

To naturalize is to encourage spreading of a plant as if it were native to the environment.  As a person who resides on family generational property, I am privileged to experience anew heirloom plants which naturalize our property.

One such plant of unique sustainability is the ‘Butter & Eggs’ daffodil.  Peter Barr, the great British daffodil collector, hybridizer and nurseryman of the late 1800’s mentions the ‘Butter & Eggs’ daffodil.

 

Barr states - "Of this there are at least two varieties differing in the colour of the flower, and the shade of green in the foliage. One appears to have come from a pure full yellow, the other from a Sulphur yellow, and for observation it is suggested that the yellow more generally gives the full rose-like flower, and the Sulphur the full cup of florets with the divisions of the perianth free as in the single. It is moreover suggested that from this latter the occasional single flowers come".

For those who do not have the privilege of hosting such a plant, it is available at web site http://www.heirloomdaffodils.com/cottage-garden-doubles.php .  Or, located in Gloucester Virginia, Brent Heath is a third generation bulb grower and co-owner with his wife, Becky, of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, a wholesale/retail mail-order flower bulb catalogue and web site business.

On their 10-acre garden and trial farm, they grow over 3000 cultivars and species of all types of bulbs in combination with annuals, perennials and ground covers. Specializing in combing bulbs with perennials, annuals, ground-covers and flowering shrubs, this site provides “three season gardens”.

 

To walk their private garden is to so-to-speak visit the space of a true master gardener. Brent, instructing me to step directly into his footprints to avoid crushing fragile natives, paused to explain the propagation process. “Basically,” he said, “I select two varieties that I believe will yield a viable plant, assist the pollination, and tag the plant.” When I questioned his patent process, I was amazed when he answered, “because of the process, a plant is rarely patented. For it takes up to seven years for the pollinated plant to yield a bloom and then, it must be perennialize in sufficient quantities for distribution.”

“Gardeners,” Brent said, “often unfairly give up on bulb plantings. At one time, everyone thought you had to let bulbs completely die back before you cut the leaves. It only takes about six to eight weeks for a bulb to pull from the leaves its nutrient value. Also, we mistakenly thought we had to divide plants every three or more years; when in fact, you only need to replenish the depleted nutrients to boost blooming. And, because the soil in my area is so sandy, I’ve found it works best to garden above ground - install a layer of compost, position the bulbs and then, cover the area with a generous depth of composted mulch.”

Although you may not experience naturalized heirloom plants or have an opportunity to visit a ‘master gardener’ site such as Brent’s private garden, don’t dismiss use of bulbs in your landscape. Visit a vendor site that provides ‘buy-local’ products based on generational pride. For, not only do these products contribute to your local economy, typically because of similar soil and site production conditions, they ensure a breath-taking display of blooming color. And, perhaps, if you are fortunate, you will experience sustainable plants which overtime naturalize contributing to the eco-health of your community.