For optimal spring blooms, find out the ideal planting location and suitable bulbs, along with the recommended planting times.
Spring Bulbs Bring Colour and Cheer to Gardens
Spring-flowering bulbs are a delightful addition to any garden, bringing a burst of colour and cheer during the colder months. These dependable plants are planted in autumn, ready to bloom in the spring.
Allium cernuum and Allium oreophilum are well-suited for gravel gardens. Allium oreophilum boasts eye-catching deep-pink flowers, while Allium cernuum is a more subtle addition. For those seeking single colours, look no further than 'White Splendour' and 'Charmer' of Anemone blanda. Anemone blanda also forms low carpets quickly and is often sold in collections of mixed colours.
Scilla bifolia flowers at the same time as anemones, growing to 4in tall with a dozen violet-blue flowers. Crocus tommasinianus vigorously seeds its pale-purple flowers deep among the pebbles, making it perfect for gravel gardens. Crocus are also ideal for the edge of driveways and paths.
The area under deciduous trees and shrubs provides ideal conditions for the earlier flowering bulbs like Anemone blanda. The snake's head fritillary requires adequate moisture to thrive, while Fritillaria pyrenaica is a robust species that can grow in dry soils.
Ixia, a South African native, can make an arresting sight in containers, with most varieties ranging through pink to magenta, but 'Eos' having sumptuous peach-coloured flowers. Single bright-red tulips can be added to meadows to animate the planting. Both Tulipa 'Jan Reus' and T. 'Kingsblood' are more perennial than most tulip hybrids but will still need replacing every three or four years.
Scilla peruviana blooms in shady places with well-drained soil, producing clusters of iridescent purple-blue stars. Leucojum (snowflakes) are ideal for deeper shade and prefer heavier, damper soil than most bulbs. Fritillaria persica 'Ivory Bells' is a creamy-white cultivar of Fritillaria persica.
For those seeking something unique, Triteleia 'Twilight' has deep purple blooms, while T. 'Starlight' has buttery-cream flowers with a dark stripe down the center of each petal. Given the right situation, most bulbs will thrive and even spread.
Newly bought bulbs are almost guaranteed to flower. Planting should be done over the next two months, with tulips being planted in November. Remember, the performance of the bulbs depends on the conditions they faced last season. So, take care to provide the best possible conditions for your new spring blooms.
In conclusion, spring bulbs are a fantastic way to bring colour and life to your garden in the colder months. Whether you prefer bright and bold or soft and subtle, there is a bulb to suit every taste. Happy planting!
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