Seasons don't change with the ringing of a bell. Spring undermines
winter's grasp at a slow, measured pace. The erosion begins in the earth's
depths, where sleeping bulbs come to life and push through the frigid soil.
The smallest seem to be the toughest of all, bursting into the sun on a warm day
and daring the inevitable cold to return. Because flowers are few this time of
year, these small beauties are more welcome than the blooming boughs of April.
Many a gardener kneels nearby to enjoy these gifts more fully, and among them is
Douglas Ruhren, whose garden of little bulbs in the front of his Durham, North
Carolina, home has been known to stop traffic when most other plots are just
beginning to awaken.
Douglas's garden demonstrates that, while each flower is small, the impact
of hundreds can be big. Although he has planted many, Douglas builds on success.
"The reward of growing these small bulbs is that they multiply," he explains. "I
divide them every three to five years." When clumps become large and crowded,
Douglas lifts them while they have foliage so he can see what they are and
replant them for the best effect.
