Here, There And Everywhere

We would like to introduce you to our little friend, at one time thought to be Narcissus ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’, now believed to be Narcissus pseudonarcissus. He was growing along the foundation of the house next door that was purchased then demolished to build the garage. But not before every single little bulb was dug up and replanted along the fence line for safekeeping. There must have been hundreds of them, so tiny from many years of growing, blooming and naturalizing with no dividing. Each and every bulb, no matter how small, was transplanted to a nice row while the garden was taking shape. Once the trees and shrubs were in, the paths laid and perennials planted, these bulbs were placed in open spots to brighten the February into March scene. It was only last year after careful study of photos and descriptions that this little daff’s name was discovered. The very early bloom time, at least two weeks before any others here, and there are many other varieties, plus the lighter slightly twisted outer petals led us to Rijnveld, Narcissus pseudonarcissus. If anyone knows the correct pronunciation of this name, we would appreciate them letting us know. Right now we say it ridge-N-veld. Added: Thanks to Our Friend Ben for setting us straight with the correction, it should be RINE-veld. Thanks!He leads us up the path from the deck.Around the curve along the wall behind the main house.Past the hillside that is home to the shed.To the end of the first terrace in front of the pond.On the other side of the garage deck at the feet of new addition Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’. More needed here.Along the Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Gold Mops’ hedge clustered at the feet of H.’Diane’. But wait a minute. There are none in the newly unheathered heather bed just off the garage deck.This must be remedied post haste. A large clump under a shrub over by the fence was dug up and will be spread about with the handy dandy English poacher’s spade, a tool so necessary to our gardening that a spare was recently ordered just in case something were to happen to this one.Among the Stipa tenuissima clumps seemed the best place for the daffs. The grass will hide the dying foliage that must not be cut back in order to build up the bulb for next year’s flowers. They won’t be accidentally dug into as the planting of this newly bare bed proceeds either. That is if I can remember they are there when suddenly possessed to move the Stipa. It could happen. It does all the time, the impulse to move something that is fine just where it is. But I digress. This daff is so much earlier than the other ones that planting at least one single bulb next to each of the other daff clumps would help extend the season by several weeks. There are more spots that could use some, many are too small to be blooming yet, but one day they will be a carpet of spring cheer. Like the Beatles song, ”Here, There And Everywhere”.Along with showing all the scatterings of this beloved daffodil, the truest sign of spring here, we have tried to give a vision of what the gardens look like in real life, not macro life. What is seen is a steep slope behind the main house, and a more gentle but still sloping garden behind the garage. The quality of the photos is less than good, and for that we do apologize. But for those who crave the close up……A little color.
Frances