Victorian Garden Tips: Fall is Bulb Planting Time

Fall is here, even if I hate to admit it, and it is time to start thinking about planting those bulbs for spring of next year, so I thought I'd pass along some tips and reminders.

Most of our bulb species prefer a well drained , not soggy , soil, and the location should have at least six hours of sun a day from spring through summer. You need to plan ahead and look at what your light levels will be in summer when the trees have leafed out. You want to make sure the bulbs will not be in the shade when the leaves still need the sun to make energy for next year's flowers.

I find that digging up the whole bed makes the bulb spacing, layering and soil amending easier. The depth of your holes should equal three to four times the bulb height, but pay attention to the bulb supplier's recommendations.

Set your bulbs in the planting bed or in separate planting holes with their roots or basal plate downward. If it's not sure which way is up, lay the bulb on its side. Fill the planting hole with soil and tamp it gently.

You want to plant a variety of bulbs to extend your flowering season. I like daffodils and Tulips, and you should include some early-flowering bulbs - such as grape hyacinths, crocuses, snowdrops and scilla - to herald the start of spring. Late-flowering alliums will continue to show into early summer.

Now, we are planting on our bulbs being on our front hillside, therefore we want to leave space so we can plant our groundcovers in the spring. Our goal is to have an attractive front yet keep it as low maintenance as possible as the rest of the garden areas are more 'designed' and require more maintenance.

Victorian Society: The elusive green thumb

Victorians loved everything 'green'. The "Fern Craze" of the Victorian era is a good example. Ferns would be on display EVERYWHERE in the parlor. On tables, in elaborate Urns set on the floor, on Fern stands. Elaborate wooden stands with ornate incised carving. Ferns were a "status symbol" in the day and Victorian often coveted the exotic hard to grow varieties. Outside cool shade gardens filed with rocks and ferns provided a restful place on a warm day.

Victorians took their love of plants to another level with the Victorian terrariums. Elaborate "eco systems' in large glass jars or elaborate table top mini conservatories where Victorians not only grew ferns but also exotic plants.

Among the "upper crust of Victorian society, private greenhouses were all the rage. Perhaps the best known is the greenhouse at Biltmore shown in this photo I took a few falls ago. Biltmore was working farm and some plants were sold for market but a huge quantity was grown in order to provide year round fresh flowers for the Mansion.

Today, thanks to mass production it is possible to have your very own Victorian greenhouse in kit form. This very popular model is available through most online garden stores. Prices vary WIDELY for this same greenhouse. Best price I've found for the 8x10 foot model is around 3500 at Sam's club online. They also ofter a much simpler version of this with polycarb panels for around 650.00. I have built some of these for clients over the years and its a good do it yourself for an advanced ability homeowner. Personally I think these are best on a poured foundation. You can attach these to a house for a conservatory effect but you need special heating/cooling and humidity controls to make these work.

The ultimate in Victorian Luxury is the Conservatory which truly brought the outside world in year round. Conservatories were often off a main parlor and were the ultimate status symbol for the Victorian era home.

These are not "sun rooms' that we associate with modern day tract homes, but rooms for the serious garden enthusiast wishing to recreate the grandeur of the Victorian Era, Costs on these elaborate structures can start as low as 25,000 but can quickly exceed 500,000.00. If price is no object then this is the ultimate however for most of us it will be 'just a dream".

Urban gardening: Spring is coming!!!

It is not far away! We have already experienced that occasional warm day. Now is the time to be planning your spring and summer gardening projects. Urban gardeners face unique challenges from those in the burbs. Gardening space is smaller and you need to get the most bang for the buck. One thing you should do now, in preparation for spring, is look at your gardening tools. Clean shovels, make sure the tires are good on that wheelbarrow. If you have a wrought iron fence or picket fence use those first warm days to scape and paint it. It is much easier before your plants go in and much cooler than the dog days of summer.

Now while we all might like that grand Victorian estate garden like this one at Biltmore, most of us have to deal with a small lot and planning is the key. Urban homes usually have small front yards. Think of your front yard as a "entry way". Long before your guests are at your front door they have really already entered your home. Your front garden should be bright and inviting. If space allows consider an arbor over your front walk. Flower boxes are great for those who have no front yard and you should look for low maintenance plants.

Many homes in an urban setting often are by busy streets, consider using water to create" white noise". Fountains are great and can take the shape of a grand fountain like this Victorian 4 tier or a smaller urn with a bubbler.

Done in phases, most people can achieve low maintenance attractive garden and while you neighbor is out mowing the grass and trimming, you can be relaxing in your garden. Most urban homes have two, sometimes three "outdoor rooms" The front, the back and sometimes a side garden. By treating these as separate projects it is easier to get a sense of satisfaction in a hurry. Gardening is a great "Urban Revitalization" tool. You will find when you fix up your yard the neighbors become a little jealous, gardening is infectious and don't be surprised when that neighbor whom you thought didn't care at all starts keeping their place a little cleaner.

Don't forget that your porch can be an enjoyable outside room, Today there area variety of Victorian era furniture, Wicker is a great option and the new resin based products are very durable to the elements. Consider using an outdoor "rug" on your porch space, especially if you have a concrete floor that you would like to hide. Porch swings are "very victorian" and you can even find them at your local "big box" home depot or Lowes. Hanging baskets add a colorful accent.

Whether its a small "vignette" or a grand garden space. A garden can be a relaxing way to slow down at the end of a busy day. Soon we will begin our series on the Gardens at Knox Hill. We have extensive plans for our double lot that includes ponds, a sunken garden, a side formal courtyard with fountain and an outdoor gazebo space with formal gardens. It should be an exciting summer at Knox Hill.