In 2009 when I moved here, I planted about a dozen white narcissus at the road, under some prickly shrubs for February blooms in the yard. I've never seen any blooms and each year I have reminded myself I need to move them out of that too shady spot to get bloom, but I think of those prickly shrubs. Well, this year, two days before Christmas, there they were in full bloom. I had been looking at the wrong season for bloom all these years. I left them to be pretty in the yard then yesterday picked them all to enjoy that wonderful scent in my kitchen as the blooms are finishing. Remember, don't miss your flowers by failing to anticipate their blooms at the right time!

by graceandham 09 Jan 2020

Some of the early spring bulbs would have to be planted much deeper to get the cold temps necessary to bloom. My gardening guru in Atlanta planted tulips 14" deep and they bloomed reliably for at least 25 years. Yet, the local gardening books recommend planting them in a tub and discarding after bloom, treating as an annual. Also, many perennials that are great elsewhere will rot in winter in wet ground in the Southeast. Don't know how wet your winter is, or which part of Texas. Look around at what is working for others "easily" there! And don't count on the garden center to only sell what works there - they will sell you something this year to fail, so you'll plant another of their plants next year!

by sewtired 10 Jan 2020

Thanks for the advice. I think the garden centers just buy in bulk and sell every plant in every location whether it is appropriate or not. We're usually pretty soggy with heavy clay soil that they call gumbo. As I said, we have some very lovely flowers that like it here, just not my old northern friends. There is a lot of variety in the daylilies and they are quite happy here. I also have a bird of paradise, lantanas, gingers and others.

by sewtired 08 Jan 2020

They are lovely.

by graceandham 09 Jan 2020

Oh, wow. You may have reached the point with that many that they will quite adequately multiply themselves. I used to have dozens of dozens (yellow daffys) at a former house and my favorite "arranger" was a cobalt blue pitcher that held several dozen. I took it full to work every Monday during the season until I broke the pitcher one year. People usually did not comment on how pretty they were, rather on how wonderful my office smelled!

by graceandham 08 Jan 2020

I think they have been blooming all along! No picture, no cell phone or camera for almost 2 years. It has been refreshing.

by graceandham 08 Jan 2020

When they bloom for Christmastime at a florist or garden center, they have been forced in a greenhouse to bloom at the optimal time for sale. In the yard, it has settled into its usual bloom season. Mine in yard are mostly earlier than that, in southeastern US.

by graceandham 08 Jan 2020

Delicious scent.