Monday, 28 October 2013

King Alfred

King Alfred (Narcissus \'King Alfred\') daffodil bulbs
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils.
                                                             Wm Wordsworth

We have to sit down and make a plan is an oft heard phrase around here. Heard but thus far not acted upon. Yet bulb planting season is upon us and something must be done.

The vision so far:

Crocus in the area outside the kitchen window, to one side of the vegetable garden, on the way to the meadow      
                                                                                                                                                                    Image of Flower Record Crocus                                                                                                                                            
Grape hyacinth in a swath along the drive i.e the track leading from the road to the house

         Image of Grape Hyacinth Muscari                         

Bluebells at the edge of the forest                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                    King Alfred type daffodils in the orchard          

the real King Alfred
My Quaker gardener uncles spoke fondly, and dare I say with pride, of the King Alfred.
Walter Hill, the developer of King Alfred, still does not get his due, the credit originally going to his employer, as often happens. He was ultimately able to take over the rights and develop a thriving business. True King Alfred bulbs are hard to find. Old House Gardens Heirloom Bulbs in Michigan has them. 
I'll buy a few heritage bulbs out of nostalgia but my purse won't run to enough for the orchard.

Crocus and grape hyacinth images from http://www.veseys.com
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20 comments:

  1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe28 October 2013 at 18:41

    How I love my daffodils in spring! I have many different varieties and enjoy them all.

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    Replies
    1. Susan30 October 2013 at 21:43

      I'd love to see all your daffodils. I'd like to get more in the years ahead.

      Delete
  2. My Garden Diaries28 October 2013 at 19:14

    I have been working on my bulb planting and I planted some Grape hyacinth and crocuses. I wanted to get more in the back but we have had low temps this week. I think your plan sounds wonderful!! I have not done bluebells yet...thank you for reminding me of their beauty!!! Those King Alfreds are gorgeous as well and good to know that Walter Hill is getting credit now and developing his business!!! Best of luck with your plan!!! Let us know how it goes!

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    Replies
    1. Susan30 October 2013 at 21:43

      The first bulbs I ever planted were grape hyacinth. I've had them in every garden since.

      Delete
  3. Powell River Books28 October 2013 at 21:02

    I just love daffodils. I don't know what kind I have, but they are large. One year I went out in the early morning to find bumblebees sleeping inside the centers. When the sun rose higher and warmed them up, off they flew. - Margy

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    1. Susan30 October 2013 at 21:45

      What a magical moment with the bees. The daffodils must look wonderful in your floating garden.

      Delete
  4. Hannah29 October 2013 at 05:12

    Your lovely bulb photos are making me long for spring. I seem to be having more trouble adjusting to fall and losing all the blooming flowers this year. I hope to at least have some flowers indoors.

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    1. Susan30 October 2013 at 21:47

      I think the planning has helped me get over the sense of loss Fall often brings. I often find my coping skills are better some years than others. Not sure why.

      Delete
  5. HolleyGarden29 October 2013 at 06:45

    I planted trumpet Kind Alfred "type" daffodils in my grass this fall. I am hoping they come up and look beautiful. I am imagining them in an orchard - how perfect that will be. And bluebells at the edge of the forest! So picturesque. I think you're doing a wonderful job of imagining your garden, even without a plan! Obviously, no plan needed!

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    1. Susan30 October 2013 at 21:49

      Are you saying I should accept I'm a by the seat of my pants person and be done with it? It would be so good if you are.

      Delete
  6. Susan29 October 2013 at 11:51

    I fear I have - yet, again - missed out on bulb season. I love grape hyacinths, as my grandmother had them all over her yard. Given our large population of white-tailed deer, I have to stick to daffodils, which they tend not to mow to the ground. Maybe I will try and pop some in this weekend...

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    1. Susan30 October 2013 at 21:50

      I love the GH too. I have a feeling the squirrels are watching my every move.

      Delete
  7. Janneke 29 October 2013 at 13:58

    I love bulbs in the garden and would like to have some more acres to plant.

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    1. Susan30 October 2013 at 21:52

      Now I have several more acres at my disposal I'm a little overwhelmed. Bulbs are a great way to fill up space.

      Delete
  8. Casa Mariposa29 October 2013 at 16:00

    I haven't planted my bulbs yet but I still have time. I'm not adding any new ones to the garden just tulips for my pots. I treat them as annuals and pull them once they stop blooming. A meadow full of daffs would be beautiful!

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    1. Susan30 October 2013 at 21:53

      Locals say we have until Christmas to get ours in.

      Delete
  9. Wendy30 October 2013 at 15:14

    Beautiful! I look forward to seeing all your flowers in the future.

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    1. Susan30 October 2013 at 21:54

      I'm going to be disappointed if the wild critters take them all.

      Delete
  10. dorothy30 October 2013 at 17:48

    Interesting info about the King Alfred's. I have probably been planting the pretenders to the throne all these years!
    Now I'm curious and may have to look at what Old House Gardens has to offer. Thank you for the information. You will have some pretty spring color to look forward to!

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    Replies
    1. Susan30 October 2013 at 21:56

      Until this year I thought I was purchasing genuine King Alfreds. Some of the newer strains are probably more robust. I'll do a comparison and let you know.

      Delete

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