a day when procrastination paid off….

I had the grandest plans for planting the beds in my courtyard with bulbs that would produce an expanse of gigantic, fluffy, cloud-like white tulips and daffodils next spring. I ambitiously ordered up plenty of healthy bulbs, just as soon as they were available, including a few dark ones, {just to mix things up}.

The bulbs came, and the photos on the packages looked SO impressive, I could just imagine how wonderful those beauties would look as living blooms next spring…. I thought that every time I saw those packages, as they sat and sat on a ledge in the courtyard for days, which turned into weeks.

A couple of times I had to pack them up and move them to my office, so visitors wouldn’t see them just lying there…..still {flower shame}.

Over the weeks, which were turning into months, it became very clear that I hadn’t ordered the self-burrowing variety of bulbs {wouldn’t that be a wonderful invention??}.

One day, I tried to plant some….. but the ground was SO hard, I decided to wait until after it rained.

Then it did rain, and rain and rain….

and I just couldn’t get myself out there to dig in the mud.

Before I knew it, it was the beginning of December, an oddly warm, beautiful, clear day. Mr. Splendid was off to get the Christmas tree….and the bulbs were still in their packs.

While I was looking out the window that morning, a gust of wind came up and the bright yellow leaves on the trees began falling down into the courtyard like gigantic snowflakes…. I took that as a sign.

Shovel in hand, I began to dig, placing the big bulbs about three inches deep and layering in a scattering of grape hyacinth bulbs above them, about one inch deep.

The trees above continued to shower down mini blizzards of leaves.

Then I heard a strange chirping sound, on high, when I looked up I saw this angelic little hummingbird, at the very top of the trees, looking over me.

After this, I no longer felt badly about all of the days that I chose not to plant to bulbs. I felt like I had gained closure on the rituals I love about the fall; had experienced the first signs of the wonders of the winter holidays, and fulfilled a promise for a beautiful spring….all in one day.

If you have been procrastinating, but are hoping for some spring bulbs in the garden, it may not be too late. I received an email for the tulip growers in Mt. Vernon, WA yesterday, saying that bulbs can still be planted successfully in most parts of the country. And, guess what? The bulbs they have in stock are on sale, click on tulips for more information. This is also a great source for shipping fresh cut tulips all over the world.

btw, the tree is a beauty, click here to see it in its glory!

Comments

The enchanted home says

December 18, 2011 at 12:35 pm

Enjoyed this and boy, can I relate! Laughed about the self planting variety, now there is a blockbuster of a product sure to change lives!!
last year I bought amaryllis bulbs in this small pots, and totally forgot about them. I kid you not….and one day voila, I open up the cabinet where they were stashed and I had amaryllis plants growing from right out of the packaging….it was crazy!! And beautiful…and not something I could even take credit for:)

Linda says

December 18, 2011 at 7:09 pm

Emily – I love that natures Karma made itself known to you while you were out to receive the message. We have trees full of humming birds – they are not easily photographed. Your subject was committed to being recorded for us all to see! And those clouds of golden leaves – a perfect day!
I'm happy you waited, and look forward to seeing photos of the spring tulip display. Cheers!