Bulbs to add zing to your spring
It’s almost time to start planting for a spring display. Hannah Stephenson leafs through some new additions and old favourites
You may still be enjoying the summer, but if you want a gorgeous display of spring bulbs, you need to start planting them soon. Narcissi, snowdrops, grape hyacinths, fritillarias and tulips all make great displays, and can be planted from late summer through to the end of autumn.
Scilla lilio- hyacinthus
The name of these pint- sized bulbs derives from the fact they are lily- like and hate getting dried out. Plant in early autumn, ideally in woodland situations where they will give you generous mounds of deep green foliage, from which emerge the dark stems holding purple- blue cones of flowers. Also available in white.
Avon Bulbs, £ 10 for 3; avonbulbs. co. uk
Anemone ‘ Fullstar Blue’
One of the latest introductions from the exquisite range of Israeli anemones, ‘ Fullstar Blue’ produces large, fully double blooms in the richest shade of mauveblue. Plant in autumn and overwinter them in a sheltered space for best results. When the weather warms in spring, they’ll start to sprout and can then be transferred to patio pots or sunny borders where they will grow to around 25cm, flowering in April and May.
£ 6.90 for 10 bulbs, farmergracy. co. uk
Fritillaria ‘ Twin Towers Tribute’
Named in remembrance of 9/ 11, this fritillaria produces two stems per bulb and looks wonderful in groups of threes, on their own, or mixed with contrasting daffodils, like Narcissus
‘ Thalia’, and tulips ‘ Negrita’ and ‘ Menton’. Plant them deep, around 20cm, slightly on their side to prevent water entering the bulb, and add sharp sand or grit to the planting hole. Peter Nyssen, £ 6 each; peternyssen. com
Muscari armeniacum ‘ Mountain Lady’
‘ Mountain Lady’ grows to just 20cm and has pale blue flower spikes that burst from their white buds. Perfect for front of border spots, or in containers to brighten up patios from March to May.
Thompson & Morgan, from £ 10.99 for 25 bulbs; thompson- morgan.
com
Allium ‘ Ping Pong’
This pure white variety with a ball- shaped flowerhead will look good among drifts of ornamental grasses. It grows between 40- 60cm tall, flowering in June.
Jacques Amand, 5 for £ 5; jacquesamandintl. com
Tulip ‘ Eyelash’
These unusual bulbs, new for this year, have white outer petals and a deep rich pinkish- purple fringe that provide an eye- catching burst of colour. They’ll grow to around 55cm, doing best in well- drained soil with some sunshine. The large, robust flowers bloom in May and make great cut flowers as well as a stunning outdoor display. Plant them in groups for maximum impact.
Bloms Bulbs, £ 11.70 for 10; blomsbulbs. com
Narcissus ‘ Laurens Koster’
If you love scented narcissi, the Tazetta group is for you, and this elegant heirloom candidate has a lovely sweet fragrance. Planted en- masse, they are a beautiful sight in spring. They may look delicate but are strong and hold well in wind and rain. Perfect for container planting or the garden border, contrast with Tulips ‘ Orange Emperor’ and ‘ Paul Scherer’. Peter Nyssen, £ 3.80 for 10; peternyssen. com
Galanthus elwesii ‘ Mount Everest’
Snowdrops are a sign of hope as we start to emerge from winter. ‘ Mount Everest’ is a bold new candidate, a large variety, growing to 20cm, with grey- green broad leaves. It’s perfect for pollinating insects, great for naturalising and also good in pots. It flowers in February and looks good with Anemone blanda and Iris reticulata, thriving in woodland with a bit of shade. You will need to plant a lot to create an initial impact, before they’ve been allowed to naturalise. Taylors, around £ 4.99 for 7, for stockists check taylors- bulbs. com
Iris germanica ‘ Mission Ridge’
New from Suttons, but not exclusively, these bearded irises produce exotic blooms of snowy white and lilac- blue, but are not strictly bulbs. They grow from rhizomes, fleshy tubers planted on their sides near the soil surface. Growing up to 70cm, they look lovely in the classic cottage garden border, flowering in late May and if you’re lucky, again in early autumn. Suttons, £ 7.99 for 3 bare root plants; suttons. co. uk
Fritillaria imperialis ‘ Red Beauty’
If you want some rich, warm colour in spring, this statuesque cultivar, new for 2020, will give you striking deep red flower bells in April and May, growing up to 90cm tall. Plant it in sun or partial shade. These look great in the open garden or in groups of three in large tubs or pots. ■
Jacques Amand £ 6.50 each; jacquesamandint. com
on chains
if your of white