As well as enjoying what’s going on now, we gardeners are always looking forward to the next season. Although the best time to plant spring flowering bulbs is October to November, it’s good to start planning and ordering now to make sure that you get plenty of choice.
Bulbs are such good value in every way, giving you such a lot for a small outlay of time and money, I love all the colour and scent at the end of winter and they’re easy to grow, convinced?
How to plant bulbs:
Double the size of the bulb is a good rule of thumb for the depth of the planting hole.
Where to plant bulbs:
Most bulbs like a sunny, open position and well drained soil, add a layer of fine grit to the base of the hole if you have heavy, clay soil.
All the usual suspects, bright little daffodils, perfumed hyacinths and a carpet of crocus in the grass are lovely,
but I also like to have something a bit more unusual and Fritillaria imperialis (Crown Imperial) fits the bill perfectly.
A handsome plant originating from Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan, the tall stem is topped by downward facing flowers and a shock of bright green leaves.
Vital statistics:
- they like well-drained but rich soil
- plant it on its’ side so that the little depression on the top won’t fill with water and rot
- it grows at least 1 metre high
The yellow one is Fritilllaria Lutea maxima and there’s a marvellous orange one called Fritilllaria imperialis Rubra.
Pests:
Look out for scarlet lily beetles in spring which can decimate the leaves and flowers.
Aftercare:
After flowering, feed the soil with a general organic fertiliser to build up the bulb up ready to repeat the whole show again next year.
A group of them looks wonderful under deciduous trees.
Happy gardening
Jill
all images:
Jill Anderson
