expectations

[fatoudust]

When we built this house, of course it was all completely bare. I live in juniper-pinon high desert, so every plant struggles for its survival here, between the drought and the wind and the crazy temperature extremes. So that first year, I ordered a whole bunch of bulbs, a collection, because I just wanted something in the ground. But the company totally flaked out on me and not only didn't send me my plants (they were waiting until all were available, and then were sold out...buh?) but failed to tell me they weren't sending me plants until it was almost too late to plant. Thankfully my friend flea came to the rescue and pointed me at Van Engelen who not only were a reputable bulb dealer but had great volume year end sales. I planted about two hundred muscari (four varieties), daffodils, tulips, and irises.

The muscari were lovely briefly the next spring and then were promptly eaten by the vast numbers of rabbits we have here. The tulips survived. Neither the daffodils nor the irises came up at all.

I was a little disappointed, but planted a new set of bulbs this past fall, crocuses, more muscari, more tulips. Again, rabbits ate everything but the tulips.

But then! This year, the daffodils from two years ago came out in full force. They were gorgeous and full and vibrant and nothing ate them! And just this past week, right after I was bemoaning to a friend that they'd never come up, my irises have also made an appearance! They are so lovely and colorful and also appear to be rabbit immune. So I guess it was just because I got them in the ground so late that first year. I am so thrilled to see them. And I will definitely be investing in more of those varieties for the future, since they seem to do fine with the local wildlife.

I also have onions and garlic doing great. I need to plant more garlic for next year; we really went through it this past year and it was so tasty.