Bulb mania And Other Sins

July is at an end and I have no idea where the time has gone. What I have to show for it is my order of spring bulbs for fall planting. I was rather pleased with the results of last year’s selections so I’ve mostly kept to the same list and substituted and/or added just a few. ‘Few’ being a relative perception.

Poring over the bulb catalogs is a time consuming activity that I enjoy thoroughly. Having visited the tulip fields in Holland and attended the “Bulb Stock Market”, I fantasize about my selections in their birth place, growing in thousands and brokers bidding heatedly for them. I imagine my choices to be the best and most prized. It doesn’t take much to transport me to the times of Tulip mania. No doubt I am the most manic of the lot. As it is, when I make up my annual order, I lose all sense of budget and other practical matters like how much time and energy will be required for planting. I’m lustful, avaricious, extravagant and gluttonous. How many Deadly Sins was that? I’m pretty sure I cover the remaining along the way.

In my pursuit for bulb happiness, I pay no mind to others who have thus far willingly put up with me under the roof we share. Their thoughts, interests and time are of absolutely no consequence. I assume they will be assisting me in getting the rotund treasures in the ground. And I’m prepared to threaten and bully. I’m also fully aware that afterwards, I will be contrite and win them over with my best, most loving behavior and reasonably good baking skills.

Some, okay several, bulbs are squirreled away for forcing – they are provided prime real estate in the family refrigerator where they slumber peacefully for the better part of four cold months. Foods considered non-essential or merely indulgent are refused space. Grumpy faces are studiously ignored.

I think this behavior has pretty much nixed my chances of an entry through the Pearly Gates. Then why am I presently feeling so smug and self-satisfied?

Note: Get your bulb orders in now! Then you can forget about them and get on with your summer. They’ll arrive at the right planting time for your zone.
I’m sharing images of bulbs rendered by me in watercolor. Because right now, spring is only in the imagination.

Hyacinth

Hyacinth


Tulip

Tulip


Scilla

Scilla


Crocus

Crocus


Iris reticulata

Iris reticulata


Lily

Lily


Bulb catalogs. I've ordered from John Scheepers for many years.

Bulb catalogs. I’ve ordered from John Scheepers for many years.


#SeedsDesignBulbs
(c) 2014 Shobha Vanchiswar
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