Time

Yes, I have time to write a newsletter. Time remains strange, especially when you are busy, but actually also when you have nothing to do. Time flies by, you sometimes hear it said, yet it is always there, that time. Even when you don't have it, it is still there. Even though it is always exactly, to the second, the same, it can still be fast, slow, too long, too short and sometimes even an eternity. Do you still get it? Me neither, never did either. It already went wrong at school when I heard the teacher yammering about the future perfect tense. Anyway, I have no idea where time is but I have it so I am going to try to interest you in a few flower bulbs. Scilla madeirensis

Let's start with the Scilla madeirensis . Last year in September I received some bulbs of the Scilla madeirensis from Narcissus friend Michiel de Waard from Egmond. Plant them in a pot immediately and put them in the living room was his advice, you'll see what happens. How beautiful that turned out, on November 7 I took this photo of the pot and they continued to bloom until well into December. After flowering, the plants remained fresh, fruity and green until July, after which I took them out of the pot and kept them warm at 20 C or more. According to the written wisdom, they should bloom well again if I plant them in a pot again at the beginning of September. We'll see if it works, the bulbs looked good, my heart beats with anticipation. Her name betrays where this Scilla comes from; the island of eternal spring, also known as the flower island of Madeira. This week Michiel confirmed that he has some bulbs for the Fluwel webshop, I hope you will also enjoy this fabulous blue flower. Wisley

What I also recommend to try is the Narcissus 'Wisley' . A top product for the garden and fortunately back in fashion. I thought it was a shame a few years ago that the grower stopped growing it, it really is one of the better Narcissi for the garden. Early flowering, fresh in colour and very durable. Fortunately, an alert grower has breathed new life into it, it is back in our shop. White Lady

The Narcissus 'White Lady' is also such an indestructible Narcissus. 1897 was the year that White Lady came on the market and she really has that vintage look of the old Narcissus. In addition to her graceful appearance, the ability to return to the garden year after year is a characteristic of the White Lady that many modern Narcissi can learn something from. She is one of the most famous old Narcissi and that can actually be explained by the fact that she is still regularly found in old plantings around churches, forest edges and old gardens. Hello Sunshine

What other Narcissus would I give you if you suddenly stood in front of me with the words 'give me one you like'? 'Hello Sunshine' , no, I've put that hello in the sun enough. Tangerine Beauty? Yes Tangerine Beauty. Tangerine Beauty

I would immediately grab a bag of this Narcissus for you if you asked me for a recommendation. 'Tangerine Beauty' is different, fun, sweet. Really a gadget that you make friends with if you give a few away. She brings out the same emotions in her admirers as the Narcissus 'Say Cheese'. Also just such a happy chap that everyone enjoys when she stands proudly shining in the garden or on a pot. Tamar Fire

If I go on this tour I should also bring 'Tamar Fire' to your attention. Also a Daffodil of which many people say 'too big for the napkin, too small for the tablecloth'. Let them talk all those people who think they know about it because she is still a lot beautiful and cute. Really, I love this size Daffodils. They do not make much noise but they do have bravado. But above all they have a kind of grace that their larger counterparts hardly show. Tamar Fire also has something naughty, something spicy. Just plant her and you will see. Janis Joplin

Another one I'm crazy about: 'Janis Joplin' . Of course I mean the Tulip Janis Joplin, although I have to be honest and say that when I hear the real Janis Joplin, I prefer to turn the volume up rather than down. Janis Joplin is actually just like the Daffodils I mentioned above, just a little bit different. At first glance, as in the photos in the web shop, they are all ordinary spring flowering bulbs. But if you look closely and especially if you see them in real life, they have something special. Different in size, different in colour, different appearance, they somehow manage to attract more attention despite their somewhat smaller dimensions. They sing the Blues like no other flower bulb can. Say Cheese

Time to wrap it up again, but first a little tip. If you decide to order some flower bulbs, also include a bag for that Aunt Agate with a hearing aid who will have her birthday in the fall and who loves gardening so much. Really, buy a nice bulb, it is always appreciated, you make friends with it. And… you will no longer have that moment of, gosh, what shall we bring for Aunt Agate this time.

Kind regards and have a nice day,

Carlos van der Veek