Planting bulbs in the lawn

I have scribbled a few notes about tasks which most of us have to do at some time during the year, so here goes. First here’s a little tip about planting bulbs at the edge of a lawn. I am thinking about small bulbs such as Zephyranthes one of my particular favourites. Known as the Wind flower or crocus throughout the West Indies the yellow form of it is to be seen widely in Georgetown. I always notice them, particularly growing opposite Takuba Lodge not too far from the Office of the President. It has a reputation of being difficult to grow in the garden, perhaps because it thrives on neglected, poor quality ground. Anyway if you can get hold of any of the forms of crocus be they yellow, white or rose, cut a piece of turf in your lawn, roll it back, and place the bulbs more or less evenly over the exposed surface. Then just roll the turf back into place, and they will establish quickly.

If you get half a chance try and get hold of the seed of Cosmos. It’s a plant which grows a little more than two feet tall. You may be able to get hold of youngsters from the garden centre and you’ll need to plant them at least twelve inches apart. The flowers are of various colours but I find that the pink forms are the most pleasing. The foliage is a bit delicate; a bit like a fern’s foliage. Cosmos grows well in soil which is not too rich.

If you have the space do try and grow annuals other than French marigolds and petunias, although it has to be said that the range of petunias now is extremely wide and their tolerance to our climate is great providing they are not grown in full sunshine without any protection.

How many of you have grown Californian poppies? Dramatic flowers if only for a brief time, but well worth the time and space. Some will produce seed and flower again within the year. One particularly good form of Californian poppy is Eschscholzia ‘Tropical Punch mix.’ This I am sure is available in the USA, and certainly in England and you ought to try and get your garden centre to get some in stock. Two composites are well worth some effort to get hold of. These are Gaillardia ‘Arizona’ and Calendula ‘Apricot Tart.’ One very unusual sunflower which has wide popularity in Europe is a variety called ‘Bicentenary’ which has soft silver foliage, and is quite unlike the sunflowers you will see about Georgetown. I know that seed is available from Thomson and Morgan’s in England, but it may be obtainable in Trinidad or Barbados. Also available from the same company or from some of the nurseries in the West Indies are some very attractive French marigolds. These are smaller then the African marigold and are much more attractive than their larger African relatives.

Take great care of yourselves and your plants, and may your God go with you.