There should be law against them sending out fall catalogues before spring planting is done!LOL Ohhh, my aching back and shoulders and.........I'm not even finished planting yet *sigh*

No fall catalogues here yet.

Planting out...let's see, the tomatoes and peppers, zucchini, cucumbers all need to go in yet. More planters need to be planted up. Angel trumpets and petunias need to be planted/scattered in the holding garden. Then, clean the garden, weed the flowerbeds, ahhhhh....

Brenda

I've only gotten Vesey's and Breck's so far. No more, please - my VISA hasn't recovered from the spring onslaught! LOL

I got the Botanus spring bulb catalogue in the mail yesterday.
I havenÂt been through it yet.

BTW in the picture gallery I noticed that a number of us had "Washington" tulips.
I donÂt recall any conspiracy last fall to plant the "Washington" tulips.
I donÂt know if itÂs a case of "Great minds think alike" or of "Fools seldom differ."

As an aside I am finding the "clippings" thing being inserted into each posting distracting.
I wonder if that has something to do with the crashes GW has had lately.
Ian

Sharon, where was the Breck's coupon? I got my magazine today and couldn't find it anywhere. Granted, i just looked quickly!

Oh Ian, 'Washington' is a wonderful long lasting vivid tulip, I might even order more just to fill the front bed. ;)

Marcia, do you subscribe to the CG magazine? The Breck's catalogue was along with the CG mag wrapped in plastic. I had a coupon last year as well.

Sharon

Mine wasn't wrapped. :( I do have a Breck's catalogue but i think it either came to me personally or to the Hort. Society (i pick up their mail). Was there a promo number, maybe?

Yes, they have a key number and an account # that you have to mention when you place your order.... but it says one certificate per customer, please ;)

I got the same Brecks coupon with my Garden Wise subscription. I noticed last night when flipping though their catalogue most things are $19.99. I'll guess I'll only be getting one thing. Botanus prices are much more reasonable.

Syreeta

Oh for sure Syreeta, Botanus is way, way cheaper, itÂs a marketing thing with BreckÂs that they have every year. I know I would never order anything from their catalogue if I didn't have this coupon, no way I'm I going to pay $26.99 for 6 Starfighter Lilies. With that $25.00 coupon off I basically pay the s/h and GST which is around $11.
Now if I were to only order 3 bulbs for $14.99, it would of be absolutely free including the s/h and tax, no strings attached.

Sharon

Well heck, I couldn't resist, I placed my fall order with Botanus, I have a credit as well, so I think I controlled myself pretty good this year ;)

Allium karataviense 'Ivory Queen'(4)
Allium 'Purple Sensation' (12)
Allium sphaerocephalon Drumstick Alliums (10) FREE
Crocus Romance Snow (10) FREE
Puschkinia libanotica (Striped Squill) (10) FREE
Tulip Mini Botanical Dasystemom tarda (10) FREE
Tulip Triumph Ile de France (30)

I also got the Chuck Champmans Iris catalogue in the mail the other day tooooooooooo!

Sharon

I've been perusing the Botanus Fall catalogue, but I don't have much experience with bulbs so I'm feeling a little overwhelmed...could some kind hearted soul help narrow my choices with some tried and true recomendations?

I know bulbs are pretty touch and go in my zone, but there's got to be something I can spend my money on!

I understand the bigger the bulb the hardier they are?
Is it best to stick with later blooming bulbs?

I've decided to order most of my perennials from Botanus next year, because even with s/h they're cheaper and have more selection than our nursery here. Can't wait-hee hee!

Appreciatively, Toots

Well I sent my Chapman iris order today. For a total of 17 new iris.

Toots,
Some tried and true bulbs are muscari, tarda tulips, crocus, Puschkinia libanotica (page 50), Chionodoxa blue or pink page 45. What I have found with tulips and daffodils...is the fancier they are the fewer years they will last. Tulips like the triumphs and Darwins will last for a few years......All tulips need to be divided occassionally.....dig them up and re-plant only the largest bulbs. In my experience parrot tulips can also be treated like this.

I don't think the size of the bulb makes any difference to hardiness. I also don't see any reason to stick to later blooming bulbs. I try to plant early, mid and late season bulbs. One year I had a purple tulip shoot up and bloom in August. LOL! Now thats what I call a VERY late tulip. LOL!

Sierra

If youÂre just starting out Toots, I would too suggest...
Muscari armeniacum Grape Hyacinths
Darwin Tulips
Trumpet King Alfred Daffodils

As for ordering perennials in the Spring, keep in mind that most of there stock are bareroot or very small pots. I would only order a perennial if itÂs not common at your local nursery, otherwise its always best to buy in person at the nursery.

I love Botanus for their bulk Fall bulbs and Spring bulbs such as their Lilies.

Sharon

Ok, that gives me a good start. Thanks very much Sharon and Sierra! :^)

Sierra: I don't see tarda tulips in Botanus...are they usually in there? I am not familiar with them.

Sharon: I don't see King Alfred daffodils either...are they usually in there, too?

I think I'll go for muscari, chionodoxa (light purlpe), and 'Daydream' Darwin Tulips.

Have you tried and had any luck with the mini-botanical tulips? They look tantilizing!

Thanks again! More suggestions are welcome!
Toots

Toots,

Page 5....mini-botanical tulips.......the yellow and white are tarda tulips. Middle of the page.

Page 18, king alford type, pic is the top one.

I haven't sent my botanus order yet, but here is what I am thinking.

K Tulips 'Ancilla'
MB Tulips 'Kaufnanniana Waterlily'
MB Tulips 'Turkestanica'
Unusuals Chionodoxa forbessii
Unusuals Puschkinia libanotica

Will probably change my mind a million times before I actually send the order. LOL!

Sierra

Here's a good example of why I don't like shopping at Breck's...unless I have a $25 coupon in hand. ;-)

Page 28--Super Sak of 80 Grape Hyacinths--$29.99 (Regular $59.99--yeah, right.)
Page 27--100 Grape Hyacinths (same diameter bulb, same variety)--$31.99 (Regular $51.99--as if.)

Either the prices are arbitrary, or they're using very special paper (see photo page 28) as their "saks".

One item Breck's is selling (and I think Botanus has it, too) is at the top of page 16: Tulip praestans unicum (or, as Breck's likes to call them, Variegated Fire Spray Tulips). I have these bright red flowers in my garden. They look spectacular with the muscari, or any other blue flowering bulb. The nice thing is that the leaves are variegated, so they even look good without the flowers. Most visitors to your garden will mistake them for hosta leaves. Very hardy (but, in my experience, not long-lived) tulips. My soil is probably too heavy for them. A plant I really recommend. Local greenhouses, in Calgary, have started carrying these, too. And everyone's prices are lower than Breck's...unless you have a coupon!

There's a non-variegated version, as well (called Tulipa praestans fusilier--listed as Firespray Tulip on page 25, and given an incorrect botanical name). Not as eye-catching, IMO.

Here is a link that might be useful: Variegated Fire Spray Tulips

Toots, 'Daydream' Darwin Tulips, good choice, you'll love them!

Dasystemon Tarda Tulips are very hardy, this is the only kind that you'll want not to deadhead spent blooms in order for them to colonize.

Last fall I ordered Mini Botanical 'Little Beauty' with the cornflower blue center, not an impressive show this spring, but I'm sure just like Tarda it will chime in years to come.

Doris those Variegated Fire Spray Tulips look interesting, how'd I miss that! I have Greigii Red Riding Hood which has variegated leaves too.

Sharon

Sierra what did you order at Chapmans? C'mon, enquiring minds want to live vicariously though you!

I think I found Praestens unicum in Botanus catalogue (pg. 6)but they are listed as a mini-botanical tulip there and in Breck's they look like regular sized tulips. ???? Would they be the same tulip?

Very tempting either way.

Glad for the back up on the Daydreams ;^)
Sharon, I think I like Red Riding Hood alot! would she like to live in my zone do you think?

Toots

If Praestens unicum is the proper botanical name, then yes, its the same thing.

Oh, I'm sure Red Riding Hood will be hardy for you too ;)

Sharon

Gil, I ordered two collections. The NEWEST DWARF- 8 plants introduced after 1997 and the DWARF Sampler-8 plants introduced after 1990 plus I get one free and I told him to pick it from the list.......I just asked that they all be different.

Sierra

Sierra, they got some nice Iris introductions at Chucks! You're going to have quite the collection there!

Well after seeing Laurie's Foxtails in this weeks' gallery, I emailed Wendy and she'll be adding on (2) Eremurus Ruiter Hybrids 'Cleopatra'. I always do that, I'll put my order in and then something always comes up that I have to add on to my order. LOL

Laurie, is that where you ordered yours from?
I'm wondering now if fall time is the best time to plant these plants in our zone?

Sharon

Toots, I just realized that if you place an order with Botanus by July 14, 2006 they'll include 10 FREE Dasystemon tarda Mini Botanical Tulips with your order!

Boy, I really need to collect commission from all these companies that I promote here at the FN forum. LOL

Sharon

Sharon, I'm pretty sure that I got Cleo from Botanus and it must have been planted in the fall too because I remember looking for it the next spring and thinking that it was a daffodil.
I really need to start keeping records of where I get stuff from!lol

Laurie

Whew, I feel much more confident now, thanks Laurie!

Toots, the flowers on Praestens unicum are not as large as "regular" tulips. However, they're larger than most other species flowers, and the colour really pops agains the leaves. The plant is shorter than later tulips, too, so it's right at home near the front of a border or walkway.

Just a reminder to anyone thinking of making a LARGE order from any mail order company...the GST drops to 6% on July 1. The one percent change doesn't mean much on a small order, but it can add up on big ones.

I've looked and looked through the catalogues I have at home...and I can't find anyone offering 'Washington' tulips. Where can I get this variety? It's gorgeous!!

Sierra, I can't wait to see what irises you get! I love all of Chapman's own bred irises.

I think I might have accidentally placed an iris order... it was late last night and I had been browsing thru irises for about an hour, and all of a sudden the printer started printing an order form... LOL you guys are such a bunch of enablers! Just kidding actually I had planned to order some this year anyway.

LOL, accidents aren't always a bad thing!!

Ok Gil, Spill, what did you order???

An accident huh. LOL!!!

I was out checking the flower beds early this morning....it looks like some of the iris' are doing quite well. I pulled a few this spring that didn't make it. And I almost pulled a couple that looked rotten but actually had a couple babies on the side. So I left them....they are small but who knows maybe they will get established and flower next year....we'll see.

Sierra

Yeah Gil, that is the #1 rule around here, you must report to all us what you've ordered ;)

Doris, I know, I can't see any 'Washington's' either in any of the fall bulb catalogues, must of been a one time special offer last year from Botanus. Hopefully they'll bring them back next fall ;)

Mickey Mouse pg4, is pretty close, but very expensive if you want bulk.

Sharon

Oh yes, tee hee I forgot the rule. I mailed off my order this afternoon (now that's commitment, I had to write a cheque and buy a stamp - LOL). I ordered:

TBs:
Autumn Circus
Dusky Challenger (saw this on the Iris Forum, it's amazing!)
Hotdogs & Mustard (I like the name as much as the stripes)
Cajun Rhythm
Cinnamon Girl

SDBs:
Ajax the Less
Caraboo

And for my bonus Iris I asked for either Garden Bride (TB) or Summoned Spirit (SDB). Can't wait!

Ooohhhhh, those are pretty ones.

Sierra

Nice ones Gil, you actually had to go buy a stamp and write a cheque, for sure that is dedication!

Heres what I ordered from Chuck ChapmanÂs Iris

I think I ordered these ones???? LOL
You see I forgot to keep my data before I mailed it off! DOH

Standard Dwarf Bearded
APACHE CARPET
AUTUMN JESTER
BEING BUSY
BRIGHT BEACON
CHERRY TART
CHICORY CHARM
DARK CRYSTAL
DIDGERIDO
ERAMOSA SKIES
FOREVER BLUE
GEAUGA LAKE
HAUNTS ME
HOTTENTOT
MERRY DANCE
ORANGE DAQUARI
PERSIAN CARPET

Border Bearded
ENSIGN
QUINALT
SUNSPINNER

Bonus
BB- ERAMOSA MISS
TB- CELEBRATION SONG

I also bought Iris germanica 'Jurassic Park' TB the other day at our local nursery.

And while I was at it, I also place my Fall order with Parklands after of course I was finally able to get back into their website ;)

Parklands
Paeonia
Coral Supreme
Red Charm
White Cap
Festiva Maxima
Lilium
Pink Pogoda (3)
Summer Breeze (3)
Connecticut King (3)

Now the next important thing to do is I really need to get back to work after a month holiday to pay for these now ;O

I still want to place a order with the Lily Nook and perhaps ValleyK yet too ;)

Sharon

Oooh nice picks Sharon - especially Merry Dance & Persian Carpet - where were those when I was shopping? LOL Everytime I look there's 5 more I should have ordered! I need to dig a new bed now as it is...

There is always next year Gil and the year after and the year after, we can also trade down the road, same with our Daylilies ;)

Sharon

Going through my photo library, I found this picture, taken last year, of my Praestens unicum tulips with Siberian squill. I thought Toots would be interested.

{{gwi:757124}}

Doris, nice ones!

Well dang, I couldn't resist the free shipping Veseys is offering, so I ordered....

Triumph Tulip ÂPrincess Irene (32)
Triumph Tulip ÂKey West (32)

Those Key West are pretty cool looking, did you guys see those?

Sharon

Sharon, I had 'Princess Irene' for the first time this year. (Not 32 of them, though...that will be quite the show in your garden!) I had them interplanted with Grape Hyacinths. Heaven!!!

The 'Key West' are gorgeous. What are you going to pair them with?

I'm not sure yet Doris, perhaps just on their own.

Oooh! Eye-catching combo, Doris! The Praestens are so sharply dressed aren't they? Now I don't know what to order anymore...you guys sre just no help at all! LOL! :^)

Good thing I can wait till after July 1st (thanks for the GST tip, Doris), but, Sharon, I'll be sure to get my order in before the 14th and make use of those tardas!

Toots

Hey...with the drop in the GST, you'll be able to afford a few of everything!!! :-)

Weeeeell, maybe not everything, but I'm sure just one more with the extra savings wouldn't hurt...

Well, I just sent in my cheapest order yet! With Breck's $25 off coupon, I ordered 10 bulbs of Omnyacc Tulips and the total was a whopping $1.01. If only all my orders were that cheap ;^)

LOL Laurie! Wouldn't that be wonderful if all our orders were like that....nice tulips you ordered!

Sharon

Ok, I decided on...

Daydream Darwin Tulips
Ivory Floradale Darwin Tulips
Galanthus nivalis
Chionodoxa forbesii (purple)
King Alfred Daffs

Freebies:
Dasytemon tarda tulips
Romance crocus

And the lady has to go and tell me that my order will stay open until they ship it! Why do they have to say that! LOL

I'm going to see how the free tardas do this time and then I think I'll move on to the Praestens, and I really like the Garant Darwin with yellow bloom and yellow and green leaves...sigh.

Toots

Good choices Toots. I also have sent my order and managed to stick to what I had posted. First thoughts best, I guess. tee hee.

Sierra

I phoned in my order today.
Mini Botanical Tulips
-Little Beauty
-Pulchella Eastern Star
-Turkestanica
-Dasystemon Tarda--free
Muscari armeniacum Valerie Finnis
Puschkinia libanotica-free
Romance Snow crocus-free.

I still want to place an order with Parkland Perennials yet.
Probably next payday.
Shelley

Ahhh...but you have till September Sierra! Not..sure..if I can..hold...out...

Hey Shelley, was that order w/ Botanus? How come you got got free Puschkinia? (whine)LOL

Toots