Once, as an enthusiastic young newlywed, I planted what seemed like a ton of bulbs. Every. Single. Day that next spring I was checking for sprouts. Nothing, nada, zilch came up. I was heartbroken!! Since then I have happily had the chance to learn a bit more about bulbs and that is what I want to share with you today.

Problem: ARGH!! The deer (or mole, vole, or other dang critter) ate my tulips, again.

Problem Solving bulb: Cheery, pest reviled Daffodils

Daffodils for the win!! Daffodils are simply not appetizing to the many hungry critters that can plague a winter garden. You can find daffodils in a range of yellows and whites, and sometimes with orange or peach (usually called pink in catalogs) cups. With so many fun shapes and sizes, planting new ones each year can be addicting (I want them ALL!), however most will come back year after year, even multiplying when happy. Some of my favorite varieties are “Geranium” a late blooming fragrant cluster of white flowers with golden cups and “Accent”, which is white with a apricot colored cup. See also Allium

Narcissus “Geranium” — Narcissus *“Geranium”*

Problem: Quick, I need color STAT!!

Problem Solving Bulb: Sweet, bee feeding Crocus to the rescue.

February and March are painfully dreary to me. Do you get hungry for color at the end of winter too? Try some crocus in your garden! They are among the earliest of bloomers. Blooming in purples, whites, and yellows, these little flowers are also favorites for early foraging bees.

Problem: I’ve got the late spring blah, blah, blahs

Problem Solving Bulbs: Allium and Dutch Iris (yep, a two for one)

You know that moment, the tulips are gone, the daffodils are long gone, other than the greening up grass, your yard looks like winter again. Boring! Allium and Dutch iris can extend the spring color show, flowering later in May and June. I love both these blooms so much I’m adding hundreds to the farm this fall. Alliums come in mostly purples, with some harder to find whites and yellows. Alliums, which are in the onion family also repel deer, take that Bambi! Dutch iris come in a gorgeous array of colors and even make great cut flowers. Look for both in our bouquets this spring.

Problem: My tulips only bloom one spring and then disappear.

Problem solving Bulb: Darwin Tulips

I know, I know, these are tulips but often I hear how someone planted a bunch of tulips, had a beautiful display and then nothing the next year. So frustrating! Most tulips are meant to be treated as annuals, but there are a few types that will consistently come back without any back breaking digging and storing. Look for tulips that are Darwin types, and late doubles, these tulips are great at lasting at least several years in the garden. My favorites- Salmon Impression (all the Impression series are good), Marit, and Double Negrita.

So tell me, are you going to try any of these bulbs in your garden? Any favorites I missed?

One of the true work horses of the early summer garden, yarrow is great in the landscape and in flower bouquets. Yarrow comes in a variety of gorgeous colors, (avoid the common white, it tends to be a bit thuggish), is fast growing, and has low water needs, making it a winner in dry states such as Utah.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Achillea Millefolium 'Paprika'

The very first to bloom in my garden, 'Paprika' starts out a rosy red fading eventually to a peachy tan. One plant will fill a three by three foot spot in your garden. I even have one plant of this variety that gets no supplemental irrigation and still blooms beautifully.

Achillea millefolium 'Cerise Queen'

Just beginning to bloom in late June in our 6a/6b zone, 'Cerise Queen' is a lovely magenta pink that blends well with other candy colored blooms in the early summer garden or vase. Reaching three feet tall by three feet wide.

Achillea millefolium 'Pomegranate'

Pictures don't do this variety justice, it's a deep burgundy red that is hard to find. Stunning in fall arrangements, since it reblooms in the late summer.

Achillea millefolium 'Tutti Frutti Pineapple Mango'

My very favorite yarrow, it is the prettiest peach with sweet yellow centers. So delicous! A little more compact in size, usually topping out at 2 feet.

Achillea filipendulina 'Parker's Gold'

Different from the previous selections because it only blooms once, it makes up for its short season with its sunny color, three foot plus stems, and by lasting for ages in a vase. Its ferny foliage looks lush and full even with very little water.

We have some other yarrow that are new to us this year, namely Achillea millifolium Summer Berries mix and achillea ptarmica 'The Pearl' that we can't wait to see bloom. I would love to hear about your favorite varieties. Do you grow yarrow?