Bulbs add the interest and finishing touch to a garden. Many of them provide both interesting textures and a colourful display. Most of them flower in spring, summer, or autumn, hence with careful planning, there is always plenty of colour in the garden

DESCRIPTION

Bulbs come in all types, shapes, colours and uses

Renowned for their spring, summer and autumn colour

Flowers come in almost all colours.

They range in height and spread from flat ground covers to 1.5 metres tall

USES

Plant in mixed borders

Great ‘fillers’

As groundcovers, on banks and over walls

As an under planting of trees

In pots and containers

Many are good for floral art

REQUIREMENTS

Full sun

Good clay loam soil with summer water holding capacity

Some slow release food at planting and follow up with Rose fertiliser in spring and mid-late summer

Deep watering in dry summer periods

Most bulbs and perennials are free of pests and diseases.

Possible pests are: Aphids and caterpillars. – spray with ‘Mavrik’ (Safe to bees and soft on ladybirds)

Possible disease : Powdery Mildew – spray with Yates Greenguard

Removing spent flowers will prolong flowering

Most bulbs and perennials die back to ground level in winter.

Evergreen perennials will require cutting back to keep them tidy and to encourage new growth

SEASON OF AVAILABILITY
Early spring flowering bulbs such as – Anemones & Ranunculus are available in Feb – March

Main spring flowering bulbs – early cheer, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, bluebells freesia etc. are available in March – April

Late spring flowering bulbs such as Lilliums, Calla lilies, are available in July August

Summer – autumn flowering bulbs, such as dahlias are available in September – October

POPULAR SPECIES & VARIETIES
Under this general heading we include corms and tubers. Bulbs are old favourites, and the most popular are listed here. There are of course many more.

Winter / Early Spring flowering – Anemones; Crocus; Early Cheer; Ranunculus; Tingitana Iris.

Spring Flowering – Babianas; Bluebells; Daffodils; Jonquils; Tulips;

Summer / Autumn Flowering – Begonias; Calla Lilies; Dahlias; Gladioli; Liliums.