Garden Club Plants 350 Daffodils

Members of the Plainfield Garden Club gathered early Wednesday at the Shakespeare Garden in Cedar Brook Park to plant 350 daffodils of a variety named to honor the Garden Club of America's Centennial.

Job number one was digging out stray trumpet vines. The vines used to cover the garden's pergola, but were not authentic for a Shakespeare Garden. The new pergola is planted with honeysuckle and hop vines, both mentioned in the Bard's works.

There were plenty of weeds to be removed before the planting.

The rock-rimmed hillock is raked, weeded and ready for the daffodil bulbs to be uncrated.

Ornamental grasses have already been planted to fill in the space and disguise the spent daffodils after blooming. The fading leaves may last until June before they wither completely.

Holes for clusters of bulbs are dug nine inches deep.

Five or six bulbs are placed in each hole, not too close together as they will make offsets in future years.

All bulbs were planted before being covered with soil and left with good wishes for a beautiful spring crop.

Imagine 350 of these Garden Club of America daffodils all in bloom! Stop by in spring and see the display.

Thanks to the Plainfield Garden Club and the Union County Parks for partnering to give us the beautiful and serene place known as the Shakespeare Garden!

--Bernice