I wouldn't think it's too late to plant, unless your ground has frozen, but I'd advise you to do it pretty soon. Do know that your tulips will probably not return AND bloom for more than a year or three. (It's not you. It's just how tulips are.) Their foliage will return for years, but that doesn't mean you will get blooms. They're not that expensive. I dig them up and throw them away every year and buy new bulbs. Hyacinths should do just fine for you. For the prettiest show, plant them about six inches apart, in clumps. Instead of spreading two dozen out in a row ten feet long, look for an empty triangle type area, maybe close to the front door, and plant them thickly in a smaller area. As far as the mint, goes, you have something of a problem. Try digging out all you see, getting as much of the roots as you can. Next spring spray it with Round-up, being very careful not to get the Round-up on any plants you don't want to die. Since you have the mint, you could try to corral the edges of the clump, and plant your bulbs among the mint. It's going to freeze and die back for the winter anyway. Dig your holes as if the mint isn't there and plant your bulbs. Trust me. The mint will return next year. For future reference, most gardeners plant mint in pots because of its running roots. On second thought, let me add one thought. If the mint is in an area that stays wet all the time (which mint would like), don't plant the bulbs among it because they'll rot. Otherwise, go for it. It's a good idea to work a tablespoon of bulb food into the planting holes of your bulbs and then give them another sprinkle when they start coming up. Don't cut their foliage back next spring. Let it turn yellow and die, so that the bulb in the ground replenishes its strength for next year. If you like, you could add a bag of miniature daffodils to your hyacinths. Plant them in between the hyacinths, and with a little luck, they might all bloom together. If not together, you'll have something blooming for a longer period of time. Have fun!

Guests for this year's garden party that are fit for Rocky Mountain Gardening include some that Colorado State University has developed in their trial garden. "A Diamond Frost euphorbia was best in show because it is resistant to heat and draught. It has delicate-looking white flowers on a wirey stem. I grows up to 14 inches tall and billows above the foliage like misty clouds of baby's breath....Said to be easy to grow." CSU's winner for best petunia is the Plus Salmon Petunia which grows 2 feet wide and lasts all summer. Best novelty variety is Achillea Gypsy, with small, white, buttonlike double flowers...spreads 20 inches in the sun. Winner of best geranium was an exotic plant called Graffiti Double Salmon from Fischer. Ragged edges that look like shooting stars and blooms all season. She says that new varieties will be available in some independent nurseries this spring. Also "invited" is Flower Carpet Scarlet. A 2006 ground cover winner. It comes from Anthony Tesselaar Plants USA in Lawndale, Ca. Needs winter protection in our climate. Sounds like the beginnings of a fun party. Pookyspal

Yes, please. Any predictions on hot items for the Spring shows? I'm planning on doing one with a friend of mine. I do mostly wood crafts, she does mostly dolls.

Guess I didn't have the pix thing figured out. Still don't know if it will work but I'll try. Candy Here is a link that might be useful: