Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
LANDSCAPING WITH BULBS SIMPLY STUNNING
Even a small garden can have a big impact in spring!
Each individual bulb is like a li le flower factory, containing all the nutrients it needs to grow and bloom when the right seasonal moment arrives. Because you plant bulbs during autumn, it means all the hard work is done well in advance of the spring season, and you can sit back and enjoy the anticipation of seeing your display unfold, right on cue. They’re the original set-andforget bloomers.
With so much flower impact to offer, bulbs can easily become the highlight of a spring garden, if you use them to best effect. While it may not be practical, or economical, to create huge displays of massed flowers (leave that to the public parks), you can still get loads of bang for your buck by concentrating your bulb growing efforts in the right focal point spots and making good use of container displays. And remember, courtyard and balcony gardens also offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the colourful delights of spring bulbs. Even a sunny window box can be a source of brightness and delight!
2 leggy lollipops
Alliums have a cheeky appeal, but that doesn’t preclude them from looking terrific in a contemporary or even formal garden. They also flower in pink and white. 3 little wonder
Most irises flower in summer but the ne ed or reticulated iris – much smaller than the bearded or Siberian iris – is a spring sensation, even though it only grows 15-20cm high.
4 babes in the wood
There’s o en a neglected area of your garden – say, behind the shed – that becomes a repository of garden refuse. Here’s where you can create your own secret li le woodland with blue, white and even pink Spanish bluebells. You can also grow English bluebells but you will only get them in their distinctive deep blue hue.
5 a glorious globe
Each allium bulb produces just one stem with one globe, but look how many flowers you get on that orb! If you leave the globes on the stems as the flowers fade, you’ll end up with seeds on the end of the mini stems, looking like aliens, Martians even!