Garden Detective

I love the nodding, bell-shaped flowers on these spring-bloomers. Even more so when they're orange, which for some reason is always the most difficult color to find. After visiting several local nurseries last fall, to no avail, I found the 'Crown Imperials' in stock at Michigan Bulb Company.

My order of 6 bulbs was pricey, but they proved themselves worthy in the perennial border inside my picket fence.

Here's a replay of an entry written at that time about a dog, an odor and my first fritillaria bulbs:

The first time I purchased “Crown Imperial” Fritillaria bulbs, it was by mail order. When the package arrived, I brought it in the house and set it on the kitchen counter. Some 10 minutes later, when the dog, Shelby, entered the room, I noticed a very strong, foul skunk-like odor. Naturally, I put the dog out.

The suspect

And so it continued for the better part of an hour -- in and out -- with accusations flying among family members about who had fed what to the dog.

Then John happened upon the box and determined it was the bulbs, not poor Shelby.

The culprit

Word to the wise: when you bring your Fritillaria bulbs home, if you’re not going to plant them right away, store them in the garage or outdoors in a protected area. The good news is they not only repel people -- rodents and deer stay away as well.