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Re: [SHADEGARDENS] Tulips

Not knowing truly why you can't grow tulips in the south I suspected because
the soil stays too warm was confirmed by another member of the robin.
 It was suggested that you plant them in the shade.
 My suggestion is to dig a deep hole (aprox. the depth of your digging spade -
9-11in. and in the bottom of the hole sprinkle a handful of Bulb Booster and
stir in some fresh soil.
Into the bottom of the hole place 6 tulip bulbs - 2 pointed side up -2 on
their sides and 2 upside down. Cover these tulip bulbs with just enough soil
to cover the top of the bulbs and in the same hole place 3 daffodills - cover
the daffodills with soil and now place a handfull of minor bulbs such as
crocus,or snow drops on top  and cover. Now the hole is entirely filled with3
layers of bulbs.
Instead of having dying foilage all over the garden (as the foilage must stay
till it dies naturally) you will have a bouquet of blooming plants for a
period of weeks in one spot.
 The tulips you planted will come up and bloom over a period of days. The ones
right side up will bloom 2 days earlier than those on their side and the ones
upside down 2 days after that so you will have a longer duration of bloom
just from  the tulips alone. The reason most tulips fail to bloom is because
if the soil is too warm, the bulb produces babies not flowers, so by planting
at the bottom of the hole they are shaded by the bulbs on top and as a result
are cooler during the warmer months.
Another plus for this method is squirrels will not dig the tulips because of
their being under the daffodills which they don't touch.
Now if any one can tell me how to keep chipmonks from eating my crocus flowers
my garden will really be prettier this time of year. I need another answer
than a cat if possible.
Happy Gardening     Janet   Zone 6 aprox. 20 miles west of NYC in Wyckoff NJ
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