Spring into action (From Worcester News)

Spring into action

11:15am Monday 5th September 2011 in Gardening

THE heat of summer may be fading, but if you want your borders and pots to sizzle in spring you’ll need to start planting bulbs from now through to autumn.

Whether you prefer drifts of snowdrops, daffodils, crocuses or bluebells, ‘lasagne’ plantings of layers of bulbs in containers to give you colour through spring or just a few simple species such as tulips or muscari in your rockery, there’s room for bulbs in every garden, no matter what the setting.

Visit your local garden centre in late summer and autumn to get the best selection of blooms or order some bulb catalogues to plan your colour scheme.

Be adventurous in your choice, as there’s so much more on offer than just the standard narcissi, tulips and snowdrops.

Chris Ireland-Jones, owner of specialist Avon Bulbs (avonbulbs.co.uk, telephone 01460 242177), says that if he could only plant one bulb type this autumn it would be the camassia ‘Electra’, with its huge lilac blue flowers blooming in late April.

Growing to 1m (3ft), it will sit happily in a border in sun or shade and, unlike many other bulbs, it likes heavy soil.

Bulbs should be planted 5in (12cm) deep, 6-12in (15-30cm) apart in humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil, in a spot that won’t dry out until mid-summer.

He said: “It flowers for a lot longer than other camassias, likes heavy soil and virtually nothing kills it. Camassias are underrated bulbs. Planted among other herbaceous perennials which flower later, they provide a lift in the season and can also be used as meadow plants in open conditions like grass.”

Fans of wood anemones should check out A. nemorosa blue centred double and others in a new, wider range from Broadleigh Bulbs (broadleighbulbs.co.uk, 01823 286231). It’s a large-flowered double wood anemone with delicate blue backs and a tiny blue centre and requires partial shade.

Grape hyacinths (muscari) have historically had a bad press because they are invasive, popping up all over the place, but the Magic group including White Magic are fantastic for growing in pots, as is M. Mount Hood, with its dark blue flowers and white top. It’s also suited to a rock garden or sunny bank, flowering in April, and looks great partnered with small species tulips and aubrieta.

This year’s Spring Flowering Bulb of the Year is the bold and striking narcissus Thalia, following much debate at the annual election hosted by the International Flower Bulb Centre.

It was voted for its ability to thrive in light and in shade and for its multiple sweetly scented flowers which bloom in May.

Growing to 1ft (30cm) in height, it’s ideal for planting in borders or containers, as well as around trees and under shrubs. Plant it in welldrained soil, roughly three times the bulb’s height deep, between September and the end of November and ideally in a sunny or only partially shady spot.

It’s a myth that you can’t plant tulips with daffodils. However, they should never be placed together in a vase because when you cut daffodils they release a slimy substance containing bacteria which will affect tulips, reducing their staying power as a cut flower.

A number of new multi-flowering tulips, including Aquila and Cartouche, which produce at least four full-size flowers on each stem, have just been introduced by specialist bulb suppliers, P de Jager and Sons (dejager.co.uk, 01622 840229 for a free catalogue) Spring bulbs must be planted in the autumn because they require a sustained dormant period of cold temperatures to stimulate root development. They generally like light, well-drained soil and if you’re putting them in containers, place crocks in the pot and mix your compost with a handful of sand or grit before planting.

Narcissi are best planted in September, while tulips should be planted in late October and November.

If you are planting your bulbs in containers, never allow the pot to rest on the ground or the water will seep in from below and soak them, making them rot. They should always be placed on a freedraining stand or on pot feet and if you want a fuller display, pack them in tightly. Water them and place the pot outdoors.

You can put the pots in a sheltered spot near the house so that they don’t become completely waterlogged over the winter, although tulips need to have moisture throughout the cooler months or they’ll end up short and stumpy.

For an eye-catching display of colour on the patio or by a wall, go for single colours of the same flower, but if you want to be a bit more adventurous you can go for, say, a sizzling display of red and yellow tulips, pansies and wallflowers, planted in stages from late summer to mid-spring.