flowerpilot, I think you did right for modifying your original plan. While the tree is pretty tough, it is never a good idea to dig deeply within the root zone (the drip line) of any tree. One fact that most people fail to consider is that the majority of the feeder roots of any tree are within the top 2 or 3 feet of soil and while a tree may have exceptional rejuvinating power, cutting these roots is always a shock that should be avoided. I much prefer to build raised beds around trees with an inner and outer retaining wall when possible and at least a foot deep. One of the reasons your previous Tulips petered out is a lack of adequate food and moisture, coupled with not being able to lift the bulbs about every three years and rejuvinate the bed. If you were able to water and feed enough to keep the bulbs thriving, the tree would steal the bulk of it for its own use. As far as your Spirea is concerned. Dead canes is a normal part of the growth cycle of any Spirea. These will need to be trimmed out on a regular basis. I have been growing different species of Spirea for more than 40 years and while some are better than others, they all do this as part of their nature. Most Spirea are suseptible to borers as well. From the sounds of yours, I would recomend that you cut it down to within about 6" to 8" of the ground and it should come back quite thick eventually. If it does not, trust me, it was on its way out anyway. But I seriously doubt this was the case. You might try the link below for some good information and they have a pretty good newsletter also that covers a little bit of everything. Hope this helps. Here is a link that might be useful: Gardening Resource

fgoldberg, The previous post brings up some very good points to consider. However, the type of interplanting you describe is a common practice. The normal way of accomplishing this is to plant bulbs such as snow drops and grape hyacinths (very early bloomers) with late bloomers. This way the early bloomers will be done blooming by the time the leaves of the late bloomers get tall. The thing to consider is that all of the bulbs planted need to have similar cultural requirements. When interplanted with other perennials, this will give you blooms in flushes without using more bed space for many different species and makes better use of bed space. Generally the bulbs of the late bloomers are spread out a little further apart than normal to make room for the early bloomers. A place you might find some good information is at the link below. I like their newsletter to. It covers a little bit of everything and only comes once a month so I have time to try some of the ideas before the next one comes. Here is a link that might be useful: Gardening Resource

Sad to say, I have become less enthusiastic about bulbs. I also find no one here at our house is thrilled to get the job of planting the bulbs. BUT, I also have the same problems as chris reports. The squirrels dug up and ran off with all the crocus I spent all that time selecting and planting last fall, not to mention paying for. Not one bloom this spring from that planting. Very disappointing. Since then I have heard you can sprinkle cayenne pepper around the ground and the bulbs in the hole, but I just don't have the motivation to try it again this year. I added daffodils to a lot of beds the fall before last and now I wish I hadn't. The foliage for the past two years has hung around for months. There is a LOT of foliage too because I put in a good amount. In some areas away from the house, I don't mind as much because it is at a distance and I am not up close looking at it every time I go outside. I keep trying to find a perennial combination that would hide the foliage, but the usual daylily, hosta recommendations just don't work for me, where I placed my bulbs. There are too many of them to braid the foliage. I wanted to dig some of them up this fall and move them...but then the other problem chris mentioned...'where are they?' I already ruined a couple of bulbs in the front when I was trying to dig out a clump of lily of the valley that I decided I wasn't keeping any more. I do move and dig pretty frequently too. I was thinking maybe I should try some of the smaller bulbs that have less obvious foliage when they are finished. I don't mind the crocus foliage and I wouldn't be without it....but, I just wish I could figure out a way to grow bulbs without these issues. Or find a different spring bulb then I haven't tried yet, that doesn't have these problems. I'd really like some that work in the lawn that I wouldn't be disturbing and that by a certain time in the spring I could give them a haircut and that would be the end of them. Anyone have any suggestions for bulbs that I would be happier with? :-)

Oh Phil, you taunt us! It was 25 degrees when I left the house this morning, and the ground is like a solid rock. Hard to believe that Spring will be here in just under 2 weeks. Yeah! We're hoping for some 50 degree weather in NJ next week, I hope the weather folks have gotten it right this time (they sure do make a lot of money for their "predictions" don't they?). I've got hostas coming next month, I can't wait. I'll put them in pots and weather them in our pool house until the threat of frost is gone. The cold temps make it seem like hosta gardening is ages away. Sigh. Donna