A Timeless Gift

Over eighty years ago, my grandmother planted some narcissus bulbs alongside a fish pond in her garden. The grandparent's new home had just been constructed and she had carefully planned her garden...bush roses behind the residence - tree roses on each side of a long entry walk - camellias by the porch, gardenias alongside the wall and narcissus bulbs scattered here and there, wherever water was available.

I dug up some of her bulbs many years ago and planted them in our gardens, first near the foothills, then at the beach and finally, at Borrego. Many different settings- the harshest, in a paper bag in a storage garage off Stirrup Road, where I am sure the temperature often exceeded 100 degrees!

Now, they are planted in our garden in many locations...under trees, where there is irrigation and in one principal bed that we can view through our windows. They bloom just in time for the winter holiday season. I always think of my Grandmother, who first planted them, of my Aunt, who later cared for them and of all the residences they represent. To say they are an example of perseverance would certainly be an understatement!

A few years ago, I dug up and separated the bulbs, put twenty-five in little paper bags and gifted them to my relatives , along with the story of "Grandmother's Bulbs". Now, they are planted in many other places as a reminder of our mutual heritage.

They are the perfect "timeless gift" - strong, easy to grow, poisonous to rodents, no pests and beautiful white flowers! After flowering, let the growth turn yellow-brown before removing or separating. Plant twice as deep as the size of the bulb, about six inches apart. They like full sun and need no summer water.