bulb mania

that's what I think I have.  or maybe I should qualify that and say I have bulb and tuber mania!  Everything blooming (that is captivating me right now) is either from a bulb or a tuber.  Weird how I used to think of bulbs as just spring bloomers, huh?  They are certainly much more than that!  Scroll down and see what I mean.

There's another Allium opening ~ this time it's Allium 'cernuum:'

Don't you love the "nodding" bud? 

It gets even better when it begins to open and "spread its wings:"

I also promised to show you a fully opened Allium 'azureum' bulb, so, keeping my word, here it is:

Really magnificent, right?  And such an easy way to get a bit more blue in the garden.

Drawing everyone's attention in the front garden (surpassing all the Alliums) are the Desert Candles, Foxtail lilies ~ whatever you choose to call them.  Here's a slice of Eremurus 'Cleopatra' who put up four bloom stalks (second year in the garden):

Easy to see why everyone focuses their attention on them.  It also doesn't hurt that they are at least 5' tall ~ a very commanding presence indeed. 

Not to be outdone by 'Cleopatra' are a small clump of yellow Eremurus (exact name escapes me at the moment) located near the Canterbury bells:

If that isn't a sight, I don't know what is.  These have been in my garden for at least five years but never put up more than two or three bloom stalks.  I think they don't get as much sun as they'd like being partially shaded as they are by the limbs of the big Bur Oak.

Oh, one more (unexpected & slightly out of its season) discovery, a grape hyacinth!  It's blooming so late because it was one of those clearance bulbs (bought in Jan/Feb??)  I had decided they weren't going to do anything this year then as I was weeding under the aspen trees, there it was ~ Muscari 'comosum:'

Interesting, huh? 

I have so many photos to share, more than I have time to write posts really, but I'm going to try and consolidate them so you at least get the chance to view the best of them.

Not now tho, my little doggie needs to get to his "spa" appointment so I bid you "adieu' for today.  :-)

Comments

[Liza]

Those are gorgeous photos!

[marnie]

Cleopatra really looks good against the backdrop of canterybury bells. The foxtail lilies are such a beautiful color. I can see why you're smitten with bulbs.
Marnie

[Catherine]

I always think of bulbs as Spring bloomers too. I saw a foxtail lily today and thought about where I could squeeze one in. The Allium looks like a firework display. All of your blooms are beautiful!

[Dana]

OK - I'm convinced! I need to add bulbs for next year. Gorgeous pics Kathleen.

[tina]

Your foxtail lilies are splendid. I've heard they can be picky on conditions but I'm thinking they like your garden. Just stunning!

[Northern Shade]

I like our hot coloured garden, with Eremurus 'Cleopatra' and the red flowers behind. They look like exclamation marks in the garden. The yellow Eremurus looks super with the blue Canterbury bells, nice colours and forms together.

[Gail]

Kathleen, The Foxtail lilies are wonderful! 5 foot tall~I bet they are attention getters! Love them and especially like the alliums! Both of these bulbs must have been drowned in our May torrential rains...I will try them again for sure. I am going to be in Boulder this summer~email me if you are up to a garden visitor! gail

[RobinL]

You always have the most unique, fabulous plants growing in your garden!

[Shady Gardener]

You are having too much fun with those bulbs! (All bulbs - amazing!) I'm really going to have to look some of these up. And will they tolerate having less than 1/2 day sun?

[Kala]

They are all lovely images. The clarity and shallow depth of field in the photo of the grape hyacinth are superb!

[Racquel]

I don't blame you for having 'Bulb-o-mania', you have some beautiful specimens in your garden. Alliums are always in my top 3 faves and the Eremurus are to die for! :)