Top 50 bulbs to buy now
It’s time to order autumn planting bulbs so we’ve picked jewels and gems to get your garden bursting with colour next year
Bold & dramatic Hyacinthus ‘Delft Blue’
True blue and strongly scented. They do well in containers, borders or under trees. F Mar-Apr H 25cm Supplier Crocus
Muscari latifolium
A robust, two-tone grape hyacinth that’s unappealing to rabbits. Broad tulip-like leaves, scented and good for shaded areas. F Mar-Apr H 15cm Supplier Peter Nyssen
Iris ‘George’
Classic jewel-like dwarf iris, deep in colour. Grow in groups in pots, front of borders or window boxes. Flowers Feb-Mar H 10cm Supplier Hayloft
Fritillaria persica
Tall, elegant, unusual and almost black in colour, these will complement pale greys and silver tones in your borders. F Apr-May H 1m Supplier Crocus
Iris ‘J.S. Dijt’
The parent plant to Iris ‘George’ this older and more unusual dwarf variety pops up in early spring. F Feb-Mar H 15cm Supplier J. Parker’s
Allium sphaerocephalon
Plant in borders or amid grass for elegant clusters of bee-friendly flowers in late summer. F Jul-Aug H 90cm Supplier Crocus
Fritillaria meleagris
Also known as snake’s-head fritillary, these are perfect for planting in drifts through grassy areas. F Apr-May H 30cm Supplier Peter Nyssen
Allium ‘Purple Sensation’
A classic and reliable ‘must have’ bulb. Providing texture, height and colour. F May-Jun H 90 Supplier Avon Bulbs
Tulip ‘Purple Crystal’
Long lasting, fading at base as it matures. Works well in contrast with oranges, reds or pinks.
F Apr-May H 40cm
Supplier Peter Nyssen
Trillium sessile
Like little rubies in the dark, these love deep or partial shade. They will add magic to shaded areas under trees or shrubs. F Mar-Apr
H 40cm Supplier Peter Nyssen
Tulip ‘Café Noir’
Distinctive and elegant, nearblack chocolate petals reveal a blue base as the flower matures and opens up. F: Apr-May H 50cm Supplier Bloms Bulbs
Anemone ‘Bordeaux’
Great as a cut flower, as well as providing strong colour and plenty of textured foliage in pots or front of borders. F Mar-Jul
H 25cm Supplier Sarah Raven
Tulip ‘Black Parrot’
Exotic yet reliable, can be left in the ground to flower year after year. Plant with pale-pink bulbs for dramatic effect. F Apr- May
H 45cm Supplier Sarah Raven
Tulip ‘Queen Of Marvel’
Long-lasting flowers resembling peonies as the double blooms mature. F Apr-May H 35cm Supplier Rose Cottage Plants
Tulip ‘Kingsblood’
Bring deep colour in late spring. Grow in a pot for bold visual impact, or mix with oranges and yellows in the border. F Apr-May H 60cm Supplier J Parker’s
Hyacinth ‘Purple Sensation’
Large flowers and strong scent. Bloom continuously for up to six weeks in spring. F Mar-May
H 25cm Supplier J. Parker’s
Anemone ‘Sylphide’
Also known as poppy anemones, these are tough but elegant plants. They work well grown with tulips. F Mar-Apr H 25cm Supplier Farmer Gracy
Fritillaria imperialis
Exotic, statuesque and truly stunning. Plant them at the back of borders or in the middle as a centrepiece. F Mar-May H 1.2m Supplier Farmer Gracy
Tulip ‘Cairo’
Looks superb when low sun makes the petals glow. Lightly scented and work well mixed with purple and red tulips. F Apr-May H 40cm Supplier Sarah Raven
Ranunculus ‘Aviv Red’
Long-lasting flowers that will go on providing rose-like blooms if you keep deadheading. F May-Jun H 35cm Supplier Peter Nyssen
Iris ‘Alida’
A strong grower and early bloomer, this recently introduced variety is best grown in groups for pots or borders. F Jan-Feb
H 15cm Supplier Crocus
Muscari azureum
These grape hyancinths are small and delicate and very useful for mixing with other spring bulbs in pots or hanging baskets. F March
H 12cm Supplier Avon Bulbs
Tulip ‘First Proud’
Taller than most tulips, these have elegant blooms and are very durable so will stay upright after harsh weather. F Apr-May
H 65cm Supplier Bloms Bulbs
Crocus ‘Advance’
Perfect for early spring pots of colour, or to be naturalised in lawns where they will multiply each year if left alone F Feb-Mar H 10cm Supplier Crocus
Iris ‘Gordon’
Suitable for rockeries, gravel gardens as well as pots and borders. Slender grass-like foliage. F Jan-Feb H 15cm Supplier Kevock Garden Plants
Narcissus ‘Hawera’
With up to five nodding flowers per stem, and several stems per bulb, this daffodil is good value in borders or pots. F Apr-May
H 20cm Supplier Crocus
Tulip ‘City of Vancouver’
Plant with other creamy bulbs for a fresh look or mix among darker colours for contrast. F Apr-May
H 50cm Supplier J. Parker’s
Camassia leichtlinii
These make a great show planted in groups. Buds open from the bottom up and the flowers are long-lasting. F Apr-May H 60cm Supplier Avon Bulbs
Nectaroscordum siculum
Summer-long interest as dainty bells of flowers become fairy castle-like seedheads. F May -Jun H 1.2m Supplier Crocus
Tulip ‘Alabaster’
A classic white tulip that draws lot of attention in the garden. Plant them alone in a container for maximum effect. F Apr-May
H 60cm Supplier J. Parker’s
Narcissus ‘Minnow’
Offers up to five creamy flowers with flat yellow cups per stem. Clumps soon multiply for more blooms each year. F Mar-Apr
H 15cm Supplier Sarah Raven
Allium decipiens
Great for growing in sunny borders and containers. They are great for attracting bees and butterflies. F May-Jun H 90cm Supplier Kevock Garden Plants
Cyclamen coum
Also known as butterflies on sticks. These brighten shady spots and bring colour before much else is flowering. F Dec-Mar H 10cm Supplier Crocus
Cyclamen coum ‘Album’
Ideal for under planting shrubs, these are delightful when mixed in with pink cyclamens. F Dec-Mar
H 10cm Supplier Crocus
Erythronium revolutum
These woodland pink fawn lilies pop up briefly to add a sense of magic to shady spots. F April
H 20cm Supplier Avon Bulbs
Allium ‘Jackpot’
A solid purple variety that can be grown in full sun or partial shade. They will multiply each year if left undisturbed. F May-Jun H 90 Supplier Sarah Raven
Tulip ‘Cum Laude’
These dark violet beauties are late blooming, so add to your mix to extend the flowering period in your garden. F May H 50cm Supplier Jacques Amand
Tulip ‘Pink Diamond’
A later flowering tulip, great to layer with early flowering bulbs in a pot for a continual display of colour.
F May H 40cm Supplier Crocus
Hyacinth ‘Pink Pearl’
Tall flowers look good planted in clumps in borders or in pots placed by doorways to make the most of their scent. F Jan-Mar
H 25cm Supplier Crocus
Tulip ‘Orange Dynasty’
Plant in swathes through your border for vibrant, long-lasting flowers. F Apr-May H 35cm Supplier J. Parker’s
Tulip ‘Purissima’
Grow at the front or middle of borders to contrast bolder flowers. Also look great in grey metal or stone pots. F Mar-Apr
H 35cm Supplier Bloms Bulbs
Galanthus woronowii
Snowdrops are some of the first flowers of the year and this species boasts bigger blooms than most. F Jan-Feb H 15cm Supplier Crocus
Hyacinth ‘Carnegie’
Fragrant blooms that will flower for six weeks. Plant three in a small decorative pot to create a scented gift for spring. F Apr-May H 25cm Supplier Farmer Gracy
Narcissus ‘Pheasant’s Eye’
One of the oldest daffodils to be cultivated, stunning appearance and strong scent. F Apr- May
H 40cm Supplier Hayloft
Triteleia ‘Silver Queen’
Flowers that resemble small agapanthus, with green ribbed petals and little foliage. F May-Jul H 45cm Supplier Avon Bulbs
Narcissus ‘Thalia’
This classic variety boasts two or three flowers per stem. For the best effect, plant them in swathes through grass. F Mar-Apr H 40cm Supplier Farmer Gracy
Allium ‘Mont Blanc’
Impressive large, white globes are mixed with low-growing plants to add height and elegance to the border. F May-June H 1.3m Supplier J. Parker’s
Tulip ‘Evergreen’
For something different try a green tulip. They’re long lasting and enhance the vibrancy of other coloured tulips. F Apr-May
H 60cm Supplier Peter Nyssen
Tulip ‘Verona’
Sturdy flowers with plenty of creamy yellow petals. They are lightly scented and make excellent cut flowers. F April
H 35cm Supplier Peter Nyssen
Sometimes called the snowflake plant, the large bell-shaped flowers look good planted under trees. F Apr-May H 50cm Supplier Jacques Amand Leucojum aestivum