All bulbs require feeding with bonemeal and potash when they are flowering and also when only the leaves remain, in order to build up the bulb for the following year and allow them to naturalise. Allow the leaves to remain for 6 to 8 weeks after flowering.
The first to flower are the snowdrops and crocus specie which arrive in January followed by Dutch crocus appearing from February. Following on are the narcissi or daffodils of which there are 20,000 varieties and only a limited number of these varieties are sold in garden centres. Bulbs are produced in Cornwall with the majority coming from Holland. Some change colour e.g. Sailboat which changes from yellow to white as the season progresses. Some, such as Toto, are pure white and others have different coloured centres or come in shades of white, pink or orange as single or double flowered. Winter aconites are flowers that also appear at the same time as crocus along with Anemone Blanda.
Tulips are next to appear with singles and doubles plus early and late flowering varieties opening February to May. Many varieties are one year flowers and don’t flower for a second time. Emperor tulips have large flashy flowers and all flower at the same time. They are also the most successful variety at naturalising. The height of tulips depends on the site and climate. Lily flowered tulips flower later in the season but have very slender stems and are susceptible to wind damage. There are varieties of tulips with variegated leaves and these are becoming more common. Botanical tulips are much smaller but come back year after year. They can grow from 6 to 10 inches tall. Dwarf Iris also make an appearance from February to March.
There are several other flowering plants to appear through the year. Hyacinths come in several colours, are scented and flower from March to April although prepared hyacinths are grown indoors from Christmas time to spring. Alliums come in a range of sizes and colours and it is essential to read the packaging for uses. Many are upright whilst others hang their heads. All alliums need to be well watered to increase bulb size. Eremus or Foxtail Lilies come in a range of colours and are relatively expensive. They need to be in the ground on a mound to assist drainage and require 6 hours of sun daily. Fritillaria flower in spring and range from the small Snakeshead Fritillery to the large Crown Imperial. Muscari or Grape Hyacinth is another spring flowering plant which comes in a range of colour and readily spreads. Ranunculus which is in the buttercup family also comes in a range of colours and is better started into growth in containers. Dranunculus is another attractive plant but it has a terrible smell so siting is important. Trillium grow best in a partly-shaded, deciduous woodland habitat and along wet areas in the forest. The further South they grow, the more shade they will require. They will form clumps given time. Erythronium is another pretty plant for damp shady places. Yet another hard perennial is Cyclamen Coum with its delicate flowers and it spreads very readily. Martagon Lilies are a summer flowering plant which require good drainage. A great favourite is the woodland plant the Bluebell and it is essential when purchasing bulbs to buy non-scripta as that is the true English Bluebell. Hippeastrum (commonly known as amaryllis) are tender plants but they can be stood outside during summer. The true amaryllis – Amaryllis belladonna, also known as the belladonna lily – is a completely different plant which is suitable for growing outside.
All bulbs require feeding with bonemeal and potash when they are flowering and also when only the leaves remain, in order to build up the bulb for the following year and allow them to naturalise. Allow the leaves to remain for 6 to 8 weeks after flowering.
The first to flower are the snowdrops and crocus specie which arrive in January followed by Dutch crocus appearing from February. Following on are the narcissi or daffodils of which there are 20,000 varieties and only a limited number of these varieties are sold in garden centres. Bulbs are produced in Cornwall with the majority coming from Holland. Some change colour e.g. Sailboat which changes from yellow to white as the season progresses. Some, such as Toto, are pure white and others have different coloured centres or come in shades of white, pink or orange as single or double flowered. Winter aconites are flowers that also appear at the same time as crocus along with Anemone Blanda.
Tulips are next to appear with singles and doubles plus early and late flowering varieties opening February to May. Many varieties are one year flowers and don’t flower for a second time. Emperor tulips have large flashy flowers and all flower at the same time. They are also the most successful variety at naturalising. The height of tulips depends on the site and climate. Lily flowered tulips flower later in the season but have very slender stems and are susceptible to wind damage. There are varieties of tulips with variegated leaves and these are becoming more common. Botanical tulips are much smaller but come back year after year. They can grow from 6 to 10 inches tall. Dwarf Iris also make an appearance from February to March.
There are several other flowering plants to appear through the year. Hyacinths come in several colours, are scented and flower from March to April although prepared hyacinths are grown indoors from Christmas time to spring. Alliums come in a range of sizes and colours and it is essential to read the packaging for uses. Many are upright whilst others hang their heads. All alliums need to be well watered to increase bulb size. Eremus or Foxtail Lilies come in a range of colours and are relatively expensive. They need to be in the ground on a mound to assist drainage and require 6 hours of sun daily. Fritillaria flower in spring and range from the small Snakeshead Fritillery to the large Crown Imperial. Muscari or Grape Hyacinth is another spring flowering plant which comes in a range of colour and readily spreads. Ranunculus which is in the buttercup family also comes in a range of colours and is better started into growth in containers. Dranunculus is another attractive plant but it has a terrible smell so siting is important. Trillium grow best in a partly-shaded, deciduous woodland habitat and along wet areas in the forest. The further South they grow, the more shade they will require. They will form clumps given time. Erythronium is another pretty plant for damp shady places. Yet another hard perennial is Cyclamen Coum with its delicate flowers and it spreads very readily. Martagon Lilies are a summer flowering plant which require good drainage. A great favourite is the woodland plant the Bluebell and it is essential when purchasing bulbs to buy non-scripta as that is the true English Bluebell. Hippeastrum (commonly known as amaryllis) are tender plants but they can be stood outside during summer. The true amaryllis – Amaryllis belladonna, also known as the belladonna lily – is a completely different plant which is suitable for growing outside.
Daffodils planted for indoor use should be on top of the soil whilst those in the garden need several inches of soil on top. Tulips should be planted deeper than daffodils and may need some protection as they are a favourite food of squirrels. Container plants normally flower about two weeks earlier than those in the garden. Once they have started into growth and dependent on temperature the plants will grow about 1 inch per week.
