On the whole, however, this year the flower show is rather disappointing. In search for answers, we discovered that clay soil prevents good drainage and that, as a result, many bulbs rot. Furthermore, tulips and other bulbs need cold, if not freezing, temperatures for several weeks/months during the winter.
Lubbock did not get cold enough for long enough. As a result, relatively few of the bulbs one of us had planted nearly two years ago emerged this spring. Some of the ones that seem to be able to bloom despite clay soil and warm temperatures in the winter are grape hyacinths and some daffodils. A few regular hyacinths came back as well. So, the lessons we have learned are that (a) we should only plant bulbs once our other plants are established and no longer need frequent watering during the summer (this way hopefully avoiding the rotting of the bulbs) and (b) we should only buy bulbs specifically for the South. See the book Garden Bulbs for the South, by Scott Ogden (2007, second edition) for a discussion of possibilities.
Despite the disappointment with the bulbs, several other plants did very well and have survived for a year now. One of these is Creeping Phlox (Phlox Subulata), which more than tripled in size over the course of the last year and has formed large bright pink carpets. Here's a relatively recent picture from our garden:
This plant has several advantages, namely it: (a) thrives with relatively little water, (b) is an evergreen plant, and (c) forms dense mats that keep weeds under control. We were so thrilled with this plant that we bought several more in a variety of colors (ranging from blue, to white, to candy striped) this spring for an even more impressive show next year.
Another plant that survived a year now is Violet (sweet violet?). It grows in a somewhat shady area (though it does seem to like direct or at least dappled sunlight) and it does need some watering during the summer. However, it did get practically no water during the winter and still came back and bloomed in March.
Some daffodils that we planted last fall bloomed this spring, as did our Baptisia sphaerocarpa ("Screaming Yellow"), which one of us had planted in the fall of 2007. Together, they provided some nice cut flowers for a spring bouquet, such as the following one that we displayed on our coffee table.
Some other plants seem to thrive in clay soil and dry, hot weather as well. One of these is Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus), which has grown and multiplied over the past two years. We can't wait to see it in bloom a few months from now. Another is Dutch Iris, which also seems to do well.
The pansies we planted last fall are in great shape, too but, of course, they are annuals and will die down during the summer.
We've established a new flower bed this spring and planted a great variety of relatively drought-resistant plants that should also make good cut flowers. We'll keep you posted as to which ones survive and which ones don't.
