Hobbies / Books   (Gardening, walking, books, films, theatre etc.)

Spring blooming bulbs, such as daffs and tulips, usually planted around end of August, are really frost hardy. Even when we had the minus 15 Deg C for a prolonged period, (2010, or thereabouts I think) they still thrived.

I had masses of the large (King Alfred) daffodils.


But, having endured the Winter, the March Winds often snapped their stems and flattened them.

Used to love the daffs, When Winter's grip is at its most vicious, they appear and herald the spring which is just around the corner.

Have never, though planted at this time of year for Summer bloom bulbs. My ground is too wet and sticky to work in Winter, even when not frozen.

I sometimes grow Meconopsis, (The Himalayan Blue Poppy)


However, Meconopsis is not a bulb, but propagated from seed. Now there is a plant which likes the frost, but usually you have to 'vernalise' the seed. ie start it in the freezer!