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PAGE 18, WH1TBY FREE PRESS SEPTEMBER 13, 1989 BW A . .-... - i n 1 . 1 -1 I . . . - . I I . . . - , . ý ý ý , ý Il , , ý " ý , ý ý ý ' ý ý ,.ý ý .. l . , . 1 , 1ý 1 " ý , ,ý " : :, ý " .. " , , , 1 . . - . , ý , . ý . .- ý Bulb flowers: hre for th long mýn Each season of the year offers Canadians distinct pleasures -- such as skiing and skating in the winter and swimming and sailing in summer. In the autuxnn, as the trees change color from green to red and gold, they remind us that winter ie on the way and that means once again it is time to plant spring-flowering bulbe. The annual fail planting campaign, called World Flower Bulb Week, will be celebrated in Canada this year from Sept. 16 to 23. Just as fashion-conscious people eagerly await news from Europe about upcoming clothing styles, gardeners adopt design concepts from around the world. Colors and flower sizes are two factors that Holland bulb growers strive to vary over time. However, unlike clothing that changes from season to season, bulb flower. styles emerge more slowly and are in vogue for much longer periods. One reason for the long standing trends is the time needed to develop a new bulb. Although Dutch hybridizers work constantly to create new flowers, it takes years to produce a bulb that satisfies the neede of both home gardeners and professional flower growers. Tulips, for instance, are about 20 years in the miking,. from the first crossing to the commercial offering of a "new" variety. Other bulbe take nearly as long, despite modern propagation methods. Narcissus, for example, require about 10 years of hybridization to prepare a new variety for sale ta, the public. Existing bulb flowers are crossed repeatedly to produce sturdier, easier-to-grow flowers in-new and different colors. Fromn these multiple crossings, only the best bulbe- are kept. The new varieties are cultivated fro three or four years, until they reach a mature size that produces a satisfatctory flower. Only then ie the bulb ready ta, be offered ta the public. A LONG IHSTORY Bulb flowers have been cultivated in the Netherlands for centuries. The Dutch first began growing and breeding tuhips, for instance, nearly 400 years 990 and over the generations they have changed greatly.. During that time, tulip flowers have increased in size dramatically. The original varieties had much shorter stems and smaller flowers. Some of the Lail, showy flowers we enjoy now are four times the height of the earlier ones: many single (early and late). and Darwin Hybrid tulips now reach 50 ta 60 cm (20 to 24 in.). For example, 'Georgette,' golden-yellow subtly stained with red, not only can reach a height of 60 cm but bears a cluster of flowers (three to seven) per stem. Parrot tulips, with loose, undulating petals, such as 'Estella Rijnveld,' can grow up ta 50 cm tali. (That particular cultivar (i.e. cultivated variety) was developed as a result of radiation treatment ta, the parent bulbs.) At the end of the spectrum are the tiny, species tulips. Today'e botanical varieties are actually the cultivated descendents of the early, small flowers which once grew wild in Asia Minor and should not be confused with flowers dug from the wild. These star-shaped varieties are stili popular today althougIf they are much smaller than their hybrid descendents. Botanical or species tulips, include T. turkestanica, 15 cm (16 in.) up ta nine creamy-yellow little flowers per stem; T. tarda, 25 cm (10 in.), white-tipped yellow petals, and T. urumiensis only 10 cm (4 in.) high and bearing yellow flowere stiped with bronze. This year, enjoy experimenting with new colors and garden designs. Whether you choose some of the new pastel tulips, pink daffodils or your traditional favorites, remember ta plant them this fali, around World Flower BuIb Week, for a colorful garden next spring. -ký ITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT BULBS AND THEIR FLOWERS DID YOU KNOW THAT eNot only is the hyacinth, Hollyhock,' popular today, it also was 'a highlight in the gardens 300 years ago? Because this carmine-red beauty je the best known of the double-flowered hyacinths and because they are grown in small numbers, if you want them, it is wise ta buy them as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. C * More and more, 'split-corona' Narcissi, also called 'orchard-flowered,' are becoming a favorite among daffodils? The trumpet of tis flower is more or less split and lies like a second perianth over the original one. 'Cassata' (white and lemon-yellow) and 'Orangery' (creain with orange) are two of the most widely grown cultivars, and therefore the easiest ta find. ASK THE DUTCH GARDENER Q. When planting crocus in the lawn, as well as in perennial borders, what are the best species ta consider? A. The choice of crocus for lawn and border planting is considerably lerger than, most garden-lovers suppose. Probably the moet popular je the large-flowered crocus which also je the best suited for lawn planting. However don't be afraid ta experiinent with colore. Try blue ' Queen of the Bles"Flower Record' and 'Remembrance with the white 'Jeanne dArc,' the variegated 'Pîckwick' and -the yellow 'Yellow Mammoth.' For a very nice effect, plant about haîf the bulbe in blue, offset with the remaining colore - yellow, white and stripes. In borders, select both the large-flowered and the smaller cultivars of C. chrysanthus such as 'Blue Pearl,' 'Creara Beauty,' 'Snowbunting,' ' Saturnue' and 'Whitewell Purple.' Other botanical species are sure winners, too - C. ancyren sis (orange) e.g. 'Golden Bunch,' and C. tomasinianus (mauve). ALLL KINI)S of bulb flowers, such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths and galanthus (shown above), can be brought into flower indoors in the winter. 'CaIled 'forcing,' the procese simulates the winter cold period required for bulbs to root, as they do, in the garden. The potted bulbs require from 12 to 15 -weeks of_-frost-free cool 'soragebfrw 4Yi LUs w j-- -~'~ «M ý, e N 10% 10 .à