Photo from Tiny White Daisies.

Hyacinths are probably my very favorite flowers with that out-of-this-world, beautiful smell.  When I see a hyacinth and just want to stand next to it and inhale deeply so the smell stays with me.  Forget receiving roses or other bouquets at work!! Send hyacinths!

That said, this is a terrific tip in growing your own!  From Learn2Grow.com,

Try forcing hyacinths in a hyacinth glass – a narrow-necked vase that allows one bulb to rest on top. Seat the bulb in the glass, pointed end up. Note where the bulb’s bottom rests, then fill the glass with water to a point just below that base. Replace the bulb. Store in a dark, well-ventilated spot (refrigerator, basement or garage) at 40-50 degrees F. Avoid freezing temps. Check the water level every few days, adding more when needed. In about 12 weeks, the bulb will fill the glass with roots and develop a shoot. Bring it to a warm spot with indirect sunlight (72 degrees F). After the leaves expand, it should be moved to a warmer location until growth accelerates. When foliage turns green, place in full sun.

Click through for pictorial instructions!  And grow grow grow!

Photo by kaybee07.

Photo from pampas2palms.

When NASA selects plants that can purify air on the space station, you know the plants are probably pretty healthy for your own home. Mother Nature Network provides a list of the top 15 air purifying household plants,

English ivy (Hedera helix) – Effective at removing formaldehyde, this plant thrives in cool, moist air. It too is poisonous, so keep it away from pets and children.

Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium) – This plant, which can produce wonderfully bright-colored flowers, can filter both benzene and formaldehyde. It does best in direct sunlight.

If you want to send me a nice planter, click here and read the rest of the suggestions.  I’ll accept any of them!

In my neighborhood.

Photo by Mike Baird.

As a member of our city’s local garden club, our work focuses on beautification efforts around city properties. We have planted gorgeous purple flowers all around the police station, have cleaned the front of city hall, and most recently we tore out the old ugly flower bed by the library and replanted.

In this three foot by six foot space, we probably planted over 100 bulbs.  Tulips, Hyacinths, Jonquils, and more!  We staggered them so they’d bloom throughout the spring, just like This Old House suggests,

Grab a container and plant layers of bulbs that will give you three bursts of color when spring arrives. Choose bulb varieties that flower a few weeks apart, such as crocus, tulips, and daffodils, which will bloom in rotation for up to six weeks.

To fill a container that’s 12 inches in diameter and 12 to 14 inches deep, you’ll want about 9 crocus, 7 tulip, and 5 daffodil bulbs.

I am really looking forward to April and May to see what our new garden does!

Is it just me or do the pansies below look like little faces?

From Pinterest.

I spent last weekend planting bulbs for a flower bed at our city’s public library. Our bulbs will also grow at many times throughout the summer. I can’t wait until spring and summer to see the results of our work!

From Pinterest.