What's blooming this month by Torrey Pines Landscape Company

"Flowers...are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out values all the utilities in the world."

                                                                                      Ralph Waldo Emerson 1844

 The first bulb bloomed in my garden this week, my grandmother's favorite, a bright yellow daffodil.  It was satisfying to watch my work from November come to fruition. The plants called 'Daffodils', 'narcissus' and 'jonquils' are all properly known as Narcissus and are natives of Europe and North Africa. Typically daffodils  are 'user-friendly':
   - they require minimum care at planting (plant bulbs twice as deep as tall )
   - for optimum placement choose an area that will be in partial shade during the summer
   - they are not fussy about soil as long as it's well drained
   - they need division infrequently
   - they don't require summer watering (but will tolerate it)
   - they are unappetizing to gophers and deer
For our San Diego climate, gardeners who want daffodils will have more success with with either pre-chilled bulbs, or choosing varieties that will thrive in this region's Med like climate. The American Daffodil Society categorizes all types of daffodils into 13 divisions, according to their flower shape and heritage. Both of the divisions 7 & 8, jonquilla and tazetta, respectively, share a Mediterranean heritage, so they would be a good selection for our San Diego gardens. The bonus is that both of these varieties are fragrant as well as beautiful.

from the office of Torrey Pines Landscape Company
www.tplandscape.com