Photos by Frank McMains
The first signs of spring begin to poke up in February. Daffodils, paperwhites, narcissus, and snowdrops glow neon against dull landscapes, burning their outlines into understimulated retinas. I use an unrepentantly old-fashioned word to describe them—“delightful”—because they surprise you one morning, then stick around for many days of pleasure, helping bridge the distance to spring.
We would never advise you to dig up a stand of bulbs growing in some untraveled country locale; never ever. Even if they look lonely and abandoned … goodness … they aren’t puppies! But if you do—and we don’t condone it, mind you—but if you do, just make sure they really are abandoned and that no one will miss them.
If they pop up in your yard—good for you, you green-thumbed genius. Way to think ahead. If you are spying them in your neighbor’s yard, you can only resolve to get in gear for next spring. These late wintertime bulbs epitomize the pass-along plant; so perhaps, if you have your cups of sugar ready and perform your vacation-mail-collection duties with utmost care, your neighbor will reward you with a handful of bulbs from a thinned out clump.
And while they will survive neglected for a little while separated from the earth, do remember to eventually plant them. You will be glad you did come next February. Delayed gratification, as any gardener knows, is the best kind.
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