Bulbs to brighten your plot
NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO GET SOME OF THESE BEAUTIES IN THE GROUND
THERE’S one job above all others that needs doing over the next few months – and that’s planting some bulbs.
Bury some of these treasures now and you’ll have something joyful to anticipate for next spring. One of the pleasures of gardening is planning ahead and as autumn approaches it’s great to start forming pictures of what you would like to see next year.
Packets of bulbs are usually well illustrated with colourful pictures of the potential contained within. It’s wondrous to think that each bulb contains the embryo of leaves and flowers ready to go.
Where space is limited such as balcony gardens, window boxes or pocket-sized courtyards, it’s still possible to have a pretty display using smaller bulbs.
Planting depth remains the same whether the bulbs are big or small – the rule of thumb is one and a half to two times the size of the bulb.
In this selection, I haven’t included snowdrops, winter aconites or bluebells – these are petite and beautiful but are best planted in the green so buy and plant them when they are in leaf and flower next spring.
Crocuses are so small it’s quite nice to have them at eye level where you can enjoy them close up.
‘Prins Claus’ is a beautiful specimen with white leaves with a purple stripe. If you prefer pure white, ‘Jeanne D’Arc’ is pristine perfection. Plant 2-3cm apart and 2-3cm deep in full sun and well drained soil.
Muscari is another small bulb that can make a great impression.
The small bright blue flowers of the Muscari armeniacum look like a tiny bunch of grapes held upside down, hence its nickname – the grape hyacinth.
It’s perfect for the small balcony garden or windowsill, planted in spring containers where you can inhale its fragrance. Muscari ‘Discolor’ is particularly eyecatching with dark blue flowers fringed in white. Hyacinths are not just for Christmas, though. The forced indoor varieties grow during the festive season but outdoors they will flower in spring. They are available in many colours but my favourite are the violet-blue varieties such as ‘Delft Blue’ – but look out for the deep purple, almost black, ‘Midnight Mystic’. It’s well worth planting some near a path or front door as their fragrance is gorgeous. Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’ always makes me smile – the bright yellow flowers come up year on year reliably and trouble free. ‘Tete Boucle’ is a pretty double-flowered version of this that emerges a little later in the year. Scilla siberica has very dainty nodding flowers which are vibrant blue. Also known as Siberian Squill, this is suitable for rockeries or alpine troughs.