Flowering Bulbs for Vintage Spring Display

When we moved into this house a few years ago, I was so excited to see what kinds of blooming bulbs and perennials might start showing their little green sprouts and beautiful blooms as we approached Spring. Needless to say for such a lovely large yard and landscaping, there were very few flowers or bulbs that showed up. After living here for four years I now know why...

We have a ton of wildlife in the area, which is an older neighborhood with lots of trees, lakes, and large yards. We live just down the street from a walking trail that meanders around the southeast side of town and ends up several miles away in the wooded countryside. We have deer here most of the year, tons of squirrels, chipmunks, birds and of course now, the Canadian geese have found us.

I say all that as an answer as to why we don't have gorgeous mounds of tulips, daffodils, iris and the like. critters. And now, since the geese love to visit multiple times a day I'm not sure about even getting containers planted. Last year was a constant battle with keeping everyone (geese and squirrels) out of the pots. I can't tell you how many times I had to pick up a plant that had been pulled out, and put it back in the container. It was a poor showing for the container planters last year.

These are pics from last year's mini haul to a local nursery to find a few potted bulbs in bloom. (I ended up planting them later in the spring after the blooms had dried up, so we'll see if anything made it through this last winter). I wanted a variety of blooms so I could enjoy them indoors for a few weeks. I needed a way to display them, so I grabbed this wonderful metal basket weave lunch hamper that I had found the previous Christmas on Etsy. I knew it would be perfect for Spring. I kept most of the plants in their original plastic containers, since I knew I'd be planting them in a few weeks. 

I had an early Spring "thing" in my head so some vintage garden goodies came out, too. The old rusty garden gate is a perfect backdrop for this vintage floral display with the antique cardboard suitcase as a base on the old white desk. And a new moss bunny is hanging out in a mini metal wheelbarrow waiting for a nibble.

A couple of grape hyacinths (?) are snuggled into another small wood-look metal lunch basket. Two small pots of angel vine and two more teensy pots of fern, which I think might be a type of maiden hair ferns. There are 3 small pots of daffodils of varied types. One pot has larger blooms and the other two are smaller varieties. White hyacinths which smell amazing. The pink tulips are so adorable; I'm in love... Hope they come back up this Spring.

I have a few packets of seeds and old French seed labels out

 with vintage hand rakes painted green.

Love this new little mossy rabbit. He thinks he smells blooms in the air.

Honestly, I think this whole display could be recreated with faux blooms. I may have to try it with my faux spring flower stash. Clay pots with Styrofoam and moss on top would make them look "real". But... we wouldn't get that fabulous fragrance of the hyacinths though. 

I imagine a lot of you already have plants coming up. We're having some days of 60 degrees but have a few snow showers forecast for next week. It's a little early for a lot of green outdoors. I just made a quick trip around the front landscaping and it looks like my azaleas maybe didn't make it this winter. We had an extended period of zero temps last Christmas and as yet I'm not seeing anything that looks like new growth. boo hoo. Too soon to see anything on the hydrangeas either. Last year was a debacle with no blooms at all. My fault, because we pruned them back and it was a huge mistake.

Here's another post with the bulbs in a seed box display a week later on the sideboard. I added some "Easter-y" decor and a few vintage pitchers for a little more fun.

Here's a fun display on the farmtable with green transferware.

and some inspiration for St. Patty's day Here and Here.

joining in here:

The House on Silverado,  Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda, 

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 

 Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch 

  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life  Home Imagined at the Antique Journey

Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode, Wednesday Link Party at Our Tiny Nest

Whimsy Home at  Fifth Sparrow No More

 Wonderful Wednesday at Eclectic Red Barn

 Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage

Share Your Style at French Ethereal,  Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home,  

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  

Home Matters at Southern Sunflowers, Grace at Home at Imparting Grace

Farmhouse Friday at  County Road 407  Fabulous Friday at WM Design House