I’m always looking for ways to create the maximum impact for the least amount of effort. I also love the cottage garden effect– bountiful, casual and colorful. This year Breck’s has answered my needs for both by introducing their “Sprinkle Gardens” for fall planting.
The concept is so simple: A mix of bulbs, different varieties with different colors and characteristics that will blend beautifully in the landscape. All I have to do is toss the bulbs in the planting area, dig holes wherever they land, and drop them in. When spring arrives, that area will be alive with fresh color and beautiful flowers. Granted, it’s not instant gratification – but those long winter months heighten my anticipation … or (more likely) give me time to forget the planting I did in the fall, making the spring bloom display that much more of a surprise!
This “sprinkle” technique is unlike the traditional gardens in Holland, which are usually mass plantings of a single variety. Once they bloom, the show is over. But these Sprinkle Gardens prolong the seasonal spectacle, with a display of continuous bloom that lasts for weeks from early through late spring. Each collection covers an area of 8-10 sq. ft., so you can stage interesting vignettes throughout your landscape.
There are a number of these exciting new gardens, but two in particular have caught my eye. The first is the patriotic Red, White and Blue Sprinkler Garden. It has a dazzling mix of red and white tulips, white hyacinths and daffodils, and deep blue muscari. This garden would be perfect for a mailbox planting or surrounding a deciduous tree.
The other is the Happy Sprinkle Garden – just hearing the name lifts my spirits! It creates a bright, cheery space with brilliant tulips in orange and yellow, mixed hyacinths, daffodils, anemones and grape hyacinths. Plant it along a walkway and you’ll enjoy your comings and goings that much more!
Take a look around your own yard … you’ll probably be surprised how many places you could brighten up with these captivating Sprinkle Gardens!
