Garden Walks with Judy: Daffodils make a lasting memorial | Column

The 250 daffodil bulbs planted last fall at Coralville’s Vintage Coop are blooming in April's fickle weather. To say they are a 'host' might be a stretch, but the bright yellow is certainly a welcome sight. This memorial planting should only get thicker and stronger each spring.

There is a saying among gardeners that perennials “sleep, creep, leap.” They spend the winter in the ground, soaking up the nutrients there and gaining strength to push through. They may only creep along the first and second year and maybe not show much height, but get ready for the leap. The third year, they rise straight and tall, fill out with leaves and the solid roots keep them healthy and bright.

The daffodils will make a lasting memorial, as will most perennial flowers in a yard or garden. Roses, with care, will bloom for years.  Peonies may thrive for a hundred years, even after being moved and split. Of course, oak, maple, evergreen, and most trees make strong and lasting memorials.

All countries seem to have a national flower to honor someone. Mexico has the dahlia, but I would have guessed the Poinsettia. Japan’s flower is the chrysanthemum, though it shares that status with the cherry blossoms. France has the beautiful purple fleur-de-lis, which is an iris in our country. Our United States’ flower is the red rose.

In memory of someone with German heritage, you might choose the deep blue cornflower, which is Germany’s national flower. Then from Austria, the Edelweiss, made so famous in “The Sound of Music” movie.

The cornflower is a clear, bright, small flower on a long stem. It blooms from June to September. In the United States, it is called the bachelor button.

Edelweiss grows high in the mountains of Austria and is star-shaped with woolly white leaves. The name translates to mean noble and white. And it can be grown in the U.S. It likes full sun to part sun and loose rocky soil. The cornflower and edelweiss together in a garden would be lovely and special.

April has brought the warmth we have waited for and the rain we always need. The daffodils are bringing the color back and soon the trees will flower and leaf out. 

And with several days over 50 degrees, it means we can finally clear out the garden. The beneficial insects hiding away are likely on the loose now and we won’t be keeping them from their important work. 

However, do check the moisture in the soil by picking up a handful and squeezing. If it doesn’t slide through your hands, but remains a sticky ball, best wait a few days yet.  April is the time to plant cool season vegetable such as lettuce, kale, radishes, and peas. Potatoes can be planted when the temperatures are about 55 degrees during the day, but not below 45 degrees at night.

Our winter was not severe this year—maybe a few high wind chills—but the spring flowers are coming and soon I will be taking walks through many beautiful gardens.

Judy Terry is a freelance garden writer who hopes to lead you through many fantastic gardens.