Great value in Bulbs

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I ordered some crocus and allium bulbs from Van Engelen. The shipper sent me a message about when the package should arrive. I noticed they said it was a 12 pound package. I thought, "That can't be right. Crocuses are so small." But when the package arrived, was I surprised at the weight of it! And the size of the crocus corms! Enormous!

Compared to crocuses for sale at Home Depot, Lowes, or the nearby garden shop, the crocuses are four to six times as big. And I see from the slight sprouts on them that they are going to have multiple flowers per corm. I will change my planting plan because these will have such a visual impact that I won't need as many to cover the intended area.

My applause to Van Engelen for the super value.

https://www.vanengelen.com/

They also are an excellent source for amaryllis bulbs which have become popular at Christmas. They do not sell mislabeled ones like many retailers do (without their own knowledge, I'm sure), nor do they sell diseased Amaryllis bulbs which seems to be the case more often than not at most retailers. I have even bought amaryllis from a internet store that specializes in them and got diseased bulbs. But from Van Engelen, I,ve never had a diseased Amaryllis.

[scfr]

Bulbs are such a nice garden "investment."
There's a fair amount of work upfront (I'm not one who enjoys gardening so I consider it "work") but the payoff lasts for years and years.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Hey, heads up for those who are still able to get a shovel into the ground. Van Engelen is offering 30% off on some very nice bulbs. https://www.vanengelen.com/pejtest/SALEHTML.HTM

If you would plant those Angelique tulips, I guarantee you will feel like writing swooning poetry in the spring. On the linked alphabetical order list they are under "Peony Flowering Tulips".

These are in a formal garden, but they look fantastic set here and there in a woodland garden where they will bloom before the trees leaf out.

Also, many seed sellers are selling their 2017 seed discounted right now. About the only seed I would not buy year old would be onions. Otherwise, most seed is good for years, so the end of year discounts are helpful.