I also planted allium 'Gladiator' this year behind some roses, there were some good looking bulbs from Home Depot, 3 for about $7. The 'Purple Sensation' alliums did great this year, I left the heads on later this year, I hope they come back as strong next year.

Prairie_northrose,

Ivory Queen is one I've been wanting to try; the great thing about them and other varieties of allium Karativiense is that the foliage stays fresh while they are blooming, unlike most other alliums. They do need good drainage though to do well, and will increase well if happy. Tulip tarda is my favourite tulip! They are such a cheerful color and increase/ multiply really well. Once the seed heads dry I sprinkle them all over to encourage more plants. They make lots of seeds. I've tried other botanical tulips but tarda is definately my fave. Darwin tulips are a good perennial tulip as far as most tulips go, but I think survival has a lot to do with their summer conditions; tulips like it drier in the summer so if they are planted in a perennial bed that is watered in the summer months they may fail.

I also grow poeticus daffodils and would recommend them. They are reliably perennial, increase well and are nicely scented. They are among the last of the daffodils to bloom.

Twros,

I've noticed that my Globemaster alliums have dwindled in size over the years since planted; wonder if that is related to hardiness? Love your beautiful pics; is that atropurpereum allium behind the yellow daffodils in the first pic? Another I'd like to add.

Debbie, I believe the downsizing of 'Globemaster' is more related to soil fertility than hardiness. Many of my alliums have not been planted in the best of soil and so I've been digging and replanting and giving them plenty of compost and a good sprinkling of slow release fertilizer .... sooo, we'll see if that fattens the bulbs up! Otherwise, I've never had an issue with the bulbs making it through the winter, even if one had sat on the surface of the soil throughout the entire winter. The purple flowers peeking from behind the daffodils is bergenia.

Ah, well my Globemaster are definately planted in pretty crappy soil so that certainly would fit lol! Should probably give them some better conditions. Thanks for the insight.

Debbie, I had dug most of the alliums several weeks ago and stored them in an open bin, I've learned the hard way that these bulbs MUST receive good ventilation when out of the ground, otherwise they mold and rot very quickly!! Like daffodils and other fall bulbs, they begin putting out new roots in September, so must be dug before this occurs. Been wet and cool of late and not getting a chance to stick these bulbs back in the ground! 'Globemaster' and 'Lucy Ball' are both sterile varieties producing no seed, thus they also bloom for a longer period of time.

Debbie, thank you so much for the tips! I am glad tulipa tarda and poeticus daffodils do well for you! That is exactly what I was hoping for in this zone! I did not know it can multiply from seed, that is great to know! Do you find the strength of the plant is affected, or does it still come up reliably even when they go to seed?

Twors, your daffodils are stunning, I like how you have them in masses! They look really good by the bergenia. And your alliums are striking! Good to know they've always made it though the winter for you, sometime I read the big alliums are only good to zone 5, it brings me relief to know they work for you. I do hear they like to be fertilized, and earlier too as the foliage starts to die off as they begin to bloom.

I have been reading more about fragrant daffodils/narcissus. I came across posts on Gardenweb describing fragrant varieties as 'Cheerfulness,' 'Thalia,' 'Geranium,' 'Erlicheer,' and 'Fragrant Rose.' These are all on my wishlist now, lol!

The batch of tulips I have which actually multiplied over the last three years is planted in a sheltered south facing bed, I wonder if that has something to do with their success. You are right with the issue with heat in this spot, the blooms only last a day or two as they are often scorched quickly. I noticed they are also planted a bit more shallow than the other tulips I have planted.

It seems daffodils are generally more reliable than most tulips....

prairie_northrose,

Tulip tarda is stoloniferous so it will spread that way as well as from seeds. The seed heads are quite attractive too; I'm pretty sure letting them go to seed has no bearing on the strength of the plant. I've never done it but I understand you can collect the seeds and sew them in flats to grow on. As I said, I just sprinkle them around and let come up what may. Some at least will germinate that way. They also are fairly shade tolerant as well, another bonus in my book.

By the way, I've read that Calgary has a great climate for growing daffodils so it sounds like you're on the right track for investing in more of those. Happy gardening and I wish us all a nice long fall season!

Hi Debbie, thank you so much for the info, I was not aware some tulips are stoloniferous. I think if I plant any more tulips in the future, I will look for this quality.

I am wondering if the reliable red tulips I have are from the Impression series, I will have to take more photos next year, they were very tall and stunning, but only lasted a couple of days.

Although an indoor plant, I also love amaryllis, I really would like to get the variety 'Daphne,' they have it in Veseys, but the price is a bit steep for me.

More stores finally have bulbs in stock, looks like I might be daffodil shopping this weekend!

I bought some today, looking forward to trying them all.

It will be interesting to compare Allium giganteum, globemaster, and gladiator. I plan to tuck them behind the roses and close to the house on a south side bed.

I ordered 25 tulip bulbs called "Canadian Celebration" for the 150 Year birthday celebration coming up next year. They are multicoloured petals, red and white. I received them yesterday and will be planting them today.

I looked them up, the Canadian Celebration tulip looks lovely!!

For daffodils, above is Thalia, Tete a Tete, Quail, and some assorted doubles. For tulips, Pink Impression, Tarda, and what looks like Lilac Wonder.

The Globemaster allium bulb was pricey at $11 but I have read great things about it and the packaging boasts the largest flower size. The Giganteum bulb is huge! Much bigger and pointed than Globemaster.

I need to do a better job marking where I have planted these bulbs, often they surprise me in the spring.

Had the Giganteum for the first time in spring. They live up to the hype I think. Gathered seed so will give that a try too!

I'm glad 'Giganteum' lives up to the hype! I bought one more type to try, allium 'Ambassador.'

Planted 170 bulbs yesterday, and still have about 40 left to go. Spring should look good.

I've just finished planting 50 of the Canadian Celebration tulips. They should look great in the springtime. How long from now is that??? LOL I have a few other bulbs to plant - some crocuses and other tulips. Last year, I planted alliums (Purple Sensation) and they did quite well. I find that they don't last more than a couple of years here so i'm always leery of planting less hardy alliums. I did have Ivory Queen for a few years as well as Christophii. I'm reworking part of one bed and may try some other alliums there next fall. I've never had any luck trying alliums from seed but they do reseed in the garden - go figure!

Marcia, I have Purple Sensation as well, I am glad they do well for you too. I hope mine don't diminish, next year will be their third.

I read in one of Lois Holes book that alliums like a boost of fertilizer, I am going to give that a try this year. I've planted allium Gladiator, Giaganteum, Ambassador, and Globemaster in the most premium spot in my garden, a heavily protected south bed with good soil and drainage. I hope they last. Especially Gobemaster, being over ten bucks a bulb.

I didn't have many crocus blooms this year, although there was foliage. Perhaps they take a year to get going....

Crocuses seem to come and go. Some years they come up in drifts and are so pretty, but then get sparse again. Guess it depends on the winter. The alliums I planted last fall are in a southwest-facing bed, which is the reason I think they might keep on coming up. Guess we'll see!