bulb catalogs are here

It may be 90 degrees and nasty out, but the bulb companies want us to start thinking about fall already. My Van Engelen catalog came this week (if you need fewer than 50-100 bulbs a pop, try their sibling company, John Scheepers).

As is customary, I want lots of everything. Bulbs are sort of my downfall. I think this year I am going to focus on daffodils, trying to pick varieties that are best suited to naturalize here in the South (so looking for Zone limits of 8 and 9, as opposed to 7 - we're in 7B). I'm tempted by this collection of rock-garden narcissi: 50 each of 6 varieties, small in scale, for $75. I think that would test the limits of my ability to get them into the ground come fall. I could put some in the side yard big bed, and some in the front yard, and most along the ivy at the far back of the lawn, which is sadly lacking in bulbs. I want to look back into the yard in spring and see flowers!

I am a little wary about the potential success of peonies down here - one doesn't see them that often, and they do like cool winters. But the peony I have wanted most for years, Festiva Maxima, says it's good to Zone 8, and at 3 for $21 it seems worth a try. Not sure where I'd put it - maybe on the side with the blueberries.

I also want some grape hyacinth, since the yard has none, and they are a classic naturalizer. And then we get into the fantasy realm - more more more daffodils and double-tulip Angelique and I have a mental budget of $100 so I will not be buying all of those things. Next year, maybe.