Bulbs and corms are virtually guaranteed to flower, with a minimum of soil preparation, as the flower buds are already formed inside them when they are planted. If you give them the right conditions, they will bloom regularly each year.
Because, on the whole, bulbs and corms are relatively inexpensive compared with, say, shrubs, you can afford to mass-plant them, which certainly creates the best effect. Spring bulbs are so well known that many gardeners do not realize that there are bulbs and corms that can be planted for flowering at other seasons — not just in spring, which is the peak time. Spring-flowering bulbs are planted in autumn, summer-flowering bulbs in spring, and autumn-flowering bulbs in summer.
Corms have a different botanical structure from bulbs, but they often look similar and are planted and grown in the same way. A third category is tubers — plants with “tuberous” or fleshy roots, such as dahlias.
Bulbs, corms and tubers are all types of food and water storage organs which supply the plants during their resting periods.
Almost all bulbs, corms and tubers are easy to grow. The main thing to guard against is removing the leaves before they have died down naturally, as this will result in fewer flowers the following year.
Four bulbs and corms for shade
Most bulbous plants are sun-lovers, but there are a few that will thrive in permanent shade, provided that it isn’t too heavy. The dappled shade cast by trees is ideal.
l Cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium) A charming miniature hardy cyclamen, 10cm/4in high, with pink flowers appearing before the leaves in late summer/autumn. The leaves make attractive groundcover. Likes well-drained humus-rich soil.
l English bluebell (Endymion nonscriptus) Spikes of mid-blue bell-like flowers in spring. 30cm/12in. Vigorous habit — can almost become a weed. Prefers acid or lime-free soil.
l Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) White bell-like flowers in winter. 15cm/6in. Likes heavy, moist, rich soil. Best planted immediately after flowering.
l Spanish bluebell (Endymion hispanicus) Spikes of bell-like flowers in blue (also pink and white) in spring. 45cm/18in. Vigorous habit. Flowers are bluebell-scented. Best in an acid soil but will grow in chalky earth.
Sixteen bulbs and corms for the mixed or shrub border
Some bulbous plants look especially effective when used ina border to harmonize or contrast with shrubs or hardy perennials. The best plan is to plant them in bold drifts. Many will naturalize and spread themselves over the years.
Anemone blanda Blue, red, pink or white daisy flowers, forming a carpet if mass-planted, produced in spring. 15cm/6in. Likes peaty soil, and sun or partial shade.
Anemone coronaria Large poppy-like flowers (sometimes called poppy anemone), in red, blue; pink, during spring or summer. 15-30cm/6-12in high. Blooms are excellent for cutting. Ideal for warm sunny well-drained border.
Autumn crocus (Colchicum speciosum) Not a true crocus, but has crocus-like, lilac-coloured flowers in the autumn. 30cm/12in high when in leaf — the large leaves appear in spring and take up a lot of space. Sun or partial shade.
Crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) Clusters of large orange bells appear in spring on 90cm/3ft high stems. Fertile well-drained soil, sun or partial shade. Plant the bulbs on their side if the soil is heavy.
Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis) Border dahlias grow from fleshy tubers and flower in late summer. They look better with hardy perennials than with shrubs. Tender: must be dug up before winter, and dormant tubers must be overwintered in frost-free conditions. Vast range of varieties, flowers in all shapes, sizes and colours. Heights 0.6-1.5m/2-5ft. Ideal for cutting. Feed and water well in summer.
Daffodil (Narcissus hybrids) Another large and diverse group, although the golden trumpet varieties are probably most popular. Spring-flowering. 30-60cm/1-2ft. Foliage can be cut off 9 weeks after flowers have faded with no ill effect. Don’t tie them up or knot them. Moist fertile soil, and sun or dappled shade.
Dutch iris (Iris xiphium hybrids) Yellow, white, blue or purple flowers produced on strong stems during summer. 30— 45cm/12-18in. Flowers good for cutting. Well-drained soil and full sun. Good for rock gardens.
Kaffir lily (Schizostylis coccinea) Red or pink star-shaped flowers in spikes in autumn, good for cutting. 60-90cm/2-3ft. Needs a warm sunny spot with very well-drained yet moist soil — a border under a warm wall is ideal.
Lilies (Lilium species/hybrids) Hundreds of species and varieties. Among the most popular are the mid-century hybrids, such as orange ‘Enchantment’, with upturned flowers. 0.9— 1.8m/2-6ft. There are varieties for both acid and chalky soils. All like good drainage. Add plenty of peat or well-rotted organic matter before planting. The roots should be shaded, the heads in the sun.
Nerine (Nerine bowdenii) Bright pink, trumpet-shaped flowers in late summer and early autumn. 60cm/2ft high, the leaves appearing after the flowers. Needs a warm, sunny, very well- drained border, as it’s only moderately hardy. Provide rich soil and don’t disturb after planting.
Ornamental onion (Allium cernuum) Loose heads of small pink flowers in spring and summer. 90cm/3ft. Ideal for warm well-drained border with plenty of sun.
Spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) White and green bell- like flowers in spring. 10cm/4in. Moist soil. Sun or partial shade. Like a later-flowering, and larger, snowdrop.
Squill (Scilla sibirica) Dainty blue bell-like flowers in late winter/spring. 15cm/4-6in. Easy-going in well-drained soil and sun or partial shade.
Summer hyacinth (Galtonia candicans) Bold spikes of white bell-like flowers in summer. 1.2m/4ft. Fertile soil. Sun or partial shade. Watch out for slugs.
Summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) White bell-like flowers which, despite the common name, appear in spring. 90cm/3ft. Moist soil. Sun or partial shade.
Tiger flower (Tigridia pavonia) Large, three-petalled summer flowers in many bright colours, often heavily spotted. 45— 90cm/11/2-2ft. Needs warm sunny sheltered border with rich soil. Not too hardy: in cold areas, lift in autumn and keep indoors over winter.
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