The Garden At Rock Cottage by Lance Brilliantine

This has been a wonderful growing season in the Hamptons. August has been at least tolerable - and plants seem in their glory as fall begins to approach.

The late-blooming lilies are in their glory at Rock Cottage - and it is time to deadhead summer bulbs to help invigorate them for next season. If you have not already removed the blooms from summer hydrangeas, it is a good time to do so - and to shape up the plants so that they set adequate growth and prepare buds for next season's blooms (it is really too late past August 20).

While no one wants to think of the demise of summer, it is a good time to prepare for spring planting - if you have not already begun ordering bulbs. September is an ideal time to plant spring bulbs, and to stake out locations where bulbs will be of interest. September planting provides spring bulbs adequate time to develop strong root systems before frost sets in.

If you have a fenced-in yard that prevents an invasion of deer, all types of spring bulbs are available to you. If, however, you have these intruders foraging in spring, stick to daffodils and hyacinths - which are not consumed by deer.

Daffodils are an effective naturalizer in the garden, and can be placed throughout the landscape. The only issue with daffodils is that their strap-like leaves need to mature and brown before removal in spring (this usually takes until the end of June) because this process sets the next-year's blooms. This means they ought to be located where this maturation process can occur. When planting daffodils, be sure to plant in groupings instead of in lines - unless you are lining a walkway. Daffodils are especially effective when they are randomly set in a woodland setting.

Every year, we try to plant a few dozen additional daffodils, selecting from the new hybrids. This adds some freshness, larger flowers and additional interest/contrast to our existing collection. Looking at the marketplace this year, there are two new hybrid daffodils from the supplier, Dutch Gardens that seem very appealing. "Galactic Star" is an early-blooming, yellow daffodil with a white trumpet that is just spectacular. "White Favorite" is a mid-spring, double daffodil that has white petals and a lemon-yellow center. Each of these can be mail-ordered during August - if supplies last.

Tulips are one of the favorite spring bulbs, and provide a dramatic effect, assuming they live where deer, squirrels and other foraging animals will not eat the flower buds before they bloom. Like many other spring bulbs, tulips come in early- to late-blooming varieties. We prefer the early-bloomers because they finish early enough to be removed in time for planting annuals. The late-bloomers, which can be blooming in late May, are wonderful flowers, but we feel they often intrude on the next season. However, many of the late-blooming varieties of tulip are also the most beautiful. When purchasing these bulbs, be sure to buy only large, quality bulbs.

We treat tulips as disposable plants and replace them every year for maximum blooms and variation. This year, there are several new varieties of tulip to keep an eye out for. "Vulcan's Forge," is a new, early-blooming tulip good for windy spots. It's flame-red whose orange color is an eye catcher. The bulb is available from ColorBlends. White Flower Farms is offering "American Dream," a new Darwin hybrid that is yellow with tones of warm red. This late-blooming variety is quite lovely. From this same producer comes "Ice Cream," a low-growing double tulip with two shades of pink: just spectacular.

When purchasing any tulip bulbs, be sure to buy quantities of one variety/color and plant them in groups of flowers. This approach provides a dramatic color effect and is much more beautiful than interspersing a variety of different colors and types together. Try to plant no fewer than nine bulbs of one variety for large bulbs and no fewer than 25 of small bulbs (such as muscari or crocus). Avoid, if possible, planting bulbs in rows unless they are for a cutting garden or as a liner for a flowerbed. Bulbs always look better when grouped.

While August entices me to relax and enjoy the garden, it is also time for planning next spring. A few hours spent searching the Internet is a worthwhile endeavor. Planning and purchasing now will ensure a lovely garden come spring.

You can contact Lance Brilliantine with any questions or comments at GardenLance@yahoo.com.

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