Last spring, I removed some Wallflowers which were well past their best, making room for some new planting. All that remained in this little corner of my garden was Rosa glauca and her close friend Clematis jackmanii, with a climbing Honeysuckle and an acid yellow Achillea at the opposite side of the bed.
In early summer, I added a few blue perennial Geraniums along the edge of the plot; the blue petals should look well against the dark leaves of the rose. Meanwhile, I let the weeds grow…
A Little Garden Design
Inspired by my trip to The Keukenhof Gardens, I created a new planting scheme.
Lilium Manitoba Morning is described as “the ultimate butterfly magnet,” and although her flowers are small, she can provide as many as fifty on each stem when mature. She will flower in mid summer.
Planting Tip
Check packaging for planting instructions. These new Lilies require a planting depth of 6 inches and spacing of 10 inches. They can be planted in the fall or in spring, and do well in shade as well as full sun. I bought 5 packs of two to fill my plot to capacity.
Weeding
I took time to remove all the weeds that had grown unchecked over summer. It is much easier to remove them when they have matured a little.
I discovered a lovely little group of Foxgloves under Rosa glauca. Foxgloves are perennial plants which means that these little babies will flower next year, eventually providing lots of seed for more new offspring.
I am incredibly fond of Foxgloves as they remind me of a wonderful visit to The World of Beatrix Potter in The Lake District. Jemima Puddleduck comes to life in one of many beautiful displays surrounded by Foxgloves!
Digging Holes
I dug 10 6 inch holes 10 inches apart, as per instructions. The lilies were placed in their new homes, pointed side up and root side downwards.
Tulips
I chose a lovely ready prepared mix of three varieties of tulips to give colour for spring – Tulip Van Eijk, Tulip Toronto and Tulip Mystic Van Eijk ( pictured on the left and right). The pack in the centre will be planted in another bed.
Planting Tip
Tulips like to grow in well drained soil. The depth suggested for these varieties was 5 inches with a spacing of 4 inches. I was not certain of the numbers needed for this spot but in the end I planted two full packs of 25, a total of 50 tulips.
Covering with soil
Finally, my new tulips and lilies were covered with top soil. I know that they will fill my heart with JOY for many years to come.
Here is a little reminder of the Keukenhof Garden’s tulip displays:
Happy Gardening.
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
Beautiful, Bridgid. I can see you have been busy planting and sowing – what a wonderful way to stay mindful whilst receiving the gentle gifts of nature. I loved Beatrix Potter books as a child! Wishing you a beautiful day ❤ x
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Thank you Hayley. I loved the film of her life with Renee Zellwegger. I have seen it a few times. X
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I haven’t watched it but now I’m inspired to! x
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It is a real joy. 😊
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how are feeling after all that planting Brigid? its beautiful! and you are right to mention the beautiful Dutch gardens. am enjoying your lovely images. ❤❤
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Thank you Gina. I was grand after tge planting. It was a bit intense but enjoyable. My muscles did not complain. 😊
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glad to hear that Brigid. I love gardens n gardening but can’t do much these days. enjoy the beauty of your hard work.
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You will have a beautiful display next year to look forward to.
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Thank you Liz. I am really looking forward to seeing them. 😊
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Can’t wait to see all those tulips in the spring, they will look quite spectacular. Hopefully, we will get to ours next week 🤞🏻 First, we have a maternal visit.
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Thank you Chris. I do hope all goes well with your maternal visit. Sending you a hug x💚
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🤞🏻💜
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I so enjoy reading about your garden …. more so having read your book and understood that this is your forever home. I have a shared garden here and intend to weed and deadhead and generally put it to bed at the weekend. I have no idea what it will do in Spring so rather than plant bulbs in the beds I thought I might do some in planters. Your garden is ever beautiful, really it is.
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Thank you Osyth. You will be surprised in spring. I wonder what is in the ground. Planters ate terrific for bulbs and you can transplant them in a forever home later. I always add a few in little pots too as fillers for my beds. I forget where I have planted things sometimes…☘
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😊
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What a lovely way to pend an autumnal day Brigid – I can’t wait to see the results of your planting next year.. and I remember you asking me to post an update on my new kitchen – Finally I got round to pulling something together – it’s on my latest blog post today.. Are you holding on to something when you should just let go.. video at the end.. Have a lovely day Brigid.. x
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Thank you Wendy. I can’t wait to see them either. I shall pop over to see your kitchen. 😊
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I bet – the effort of planting will definitely be rewarded (if the squirrels don’t pinch the bulbs!!) xx
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Happily, we do not have any squirrels here to munch on them. xx 😉
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That’s very fortunate Brigid.. We’ve got a cheeky little squirrel at the moment that is enjoying lots of little bulbs!! Ahh well – hopefully he’s squirreling them away for a winter feast! x
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I wonder if he eats them. Maybe he just collects them. 😉
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I’m not sure but I’ve seen 4 squirrels scampering around with either mine or other people’s bulbs this morning.. haha – another bald patch in the garden I suspect! x
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Goodness. They must be having a party xx
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The Squirrel Nutkin party – yes I like that idea Brigid! That was my favourite book when I was young. Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin.. maybe I’m attracting them. haha xx
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These will look lovely Come late spring and early summer Brigid. Seems such a long way away from this end of things though! Px
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I know. I have had to learn to be very patient. 😉
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The tulips are so beautiful. They’re one of my favourite flowers. Can’t wait to see photos off yours when they flower too next year. 🙂 xxx
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Thank you Heather. I am getting excited about them too. Hoping ti get outside soon to plant more. X🌼
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It’s making me want to plant some now too! Theres a garden centre right next to my school so might pop in there tomorrow at lunch. 🙂 xx
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What a beautiful sight it will be! I cannot wait to see the photos in the spring! 💐
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Thank you. I am really looking forward to seeing them too. 😊
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Oh, I love tulips, your Spring should be a beauty, Brigid. Nice.
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Thanks Van. I am getting rather excited. More bulbs to go in yet if the weather settles… 🌼
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Thank you Bridgid… i love gardening and bulbs too.
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Thank you. It is such a great past time. 😊
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I know you’re looking forward to see these in the Spring! I just got my shipment notification from Breck’s that my daffodil and tulip bulbs are on the way, and I can’t wait to get my hands in the dirt!
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Brilliant Terri. Spring will be such a joyful time seeing all those smiley new faces. 😊
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Brigid, I am amazed at your love for beautiful gardens and putting so much effort to plan one! Lovely pics. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Balroop it is my therapy! I could not survive lifes ups and downs without my garden. 🌼
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How exciting and fantastic to have a good-sized space to indulge in some mass planting. I am forever shoe-horning new purchases in and discovering that I have just chopped through the bulbs that I planted last year! I look forward to seeing your beautiful patch next spring.
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I have to admit to doing the same! I plant up little pots of bulbs as fillers as I forget where the gaps are. 🌼
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I can just picture how beautiful your hard work in your garden will turn out. Gardening is therapeutic and your Spring will be filled with pretty blooms.
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Thanks Jacqueline. I am hoping for a sea of gorgeous tulips 😊
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This is going to be lovely Brigid!! So fun that you have the images of your trip to Holland to inspire your garden at home! Our backyard needs a big overhaul– we’ve been talking about plans to work on it in the spring! You are getting me thinking… thanks!! xox
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You could start planting bulbs in tubs and pots now. They could stay there or be transplanted when the overhaul is complete. X
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Great idea Brigid! planting bulbs in pots! then I’d know right where they were and could put them by the door when they bloom! thanks! xo
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I will be doing the same. There are always wee gaps in my flower beds
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Your gardening is inspiring Brigid!! xox
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Omg Brigid, you really are organised. I feel inspired and thanks for the tips… lets see if will stay inspired into the weekend ?
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I hope so Bella. I have more to plant yet and shrubs to cut back, weeds to dig… Happy gardening. 😊
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Busy bee.. but all your hard work is rewarded in the beautiful garden you have..
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I have never heard of blue geraniums-I can not eait to see them in bloom! The tulips are beautiful colors!! I love the combination.
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Thank you Michele. I love the colours too. I am really looking forward to seeing them bloom. The blue geraniums are the perennial kind. They are great ground cover. 🌼
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I can’t wait to see pictures of your spring garden! 🙂
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Neither can I Debbie 😉
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I love gardens n horticulture but can’t do much these days. .
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I am sorry to hear that. 🌼
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Some really lovely floral choices, Brigid.
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Thank you Robbie. I am so looking forward to spring. 🌼
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Ooohhh seeing the garden made me sad..my small garden has been swept away recently during a flash flood here..😶😶😶
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Oh no. That is awful. I do hope you can rebuild it. I cannot imagine life without mine. 🌼
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I did the replanting of some which i am able to save and i am growing some new ones in place of those that were really washed away..
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I hope it will thrive. 🌼
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beautiful blog
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Thank you. 😊
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