Aren’t bulbs wonderful? Little energy grenades waiting until spring pulls the pin for a petal explosion. Each autumn I wish I hadn’t bought so many and each spring I thank myself that I did.
Here are the best bulbs from this week.
Pushkinia libanotica
I’ve never grown Pushkinia before but it has such a lovely name I thought I’d see what it looks like. Now in bloom, I’d compare it to a skinny hyacinth. What’s incredible about these up close is the bright blue stripe running from base to tip of each petal, visible both inside and out.
This pushkinia is taking pride of place in a pot on my greenhouse table, just inside the door. It has cold air pouring over it every day so the bulbs are lasting long enough to enjoy.
Fritillaria assyriaca
Also on the bulb table is this pan of fritillaries. This is their second year and they’re looking just as perky as last. They have a plum and custard colour scheme and even have the same silvery sheen of a plum fresh from the garden.
I read online that they are often called fritillaria assyriaca uva vulpis – translating as fox’s grapes and the colour and sheen are indeed grape-like.
Muscari ‘Jenny Richardson’
These little grape hyacinths were a gift from a friend and are delightful Wedgewood blue. They look particularly lovely at the table when seated next to yellow narcissi.
Fritillaria meleagris
Snakeshead fritillaries are such an unusual and striking spring flower. I always find it bewildering that the snake-skin patterning can be so bizarre and intricate. I am yet to feel confident that the bulbs I planted 2-3 years ago are starting to self-seed and naturalise but as they keep coming back so I have reason to be hopeful.
These are in the small orchard area, where I’m cultivating the grass into a meadow of sorts. If you want to know more about how I’m managing this area click my article on how to create a wildflower meadow.
The best thing about it is that we only have to get the mower out to cut a narrow path through it from spring to autumn. As we head into autumn we start mowing again and in winter it gets a final all over cut. Easy peasy yet really pretty.
Leucojum vernum – Spring Snowflake
These are really striking plants with tall glossy leaves and delicate white flowers dangling prettily from the stems. They also have charming green dots at the base of each petal. I was given two clumps of these by my late friend Mr Snowdrop and they look lovely at the base of the pillars either side of these steps.
Flower bowl
Thursday would have been the spring show at my local horticultural society. It’s always such a great event and a fun show because a cold spring means we have few tulips and a warm one few daffodils. It’s always interesting to see how the winter has affected the show entries.
Each year I like to enter the class for a “bowl of spring flower for all round effect” so I had a bit of fun making one up for the online show submissions. These weren’t to be judged but people sent in photos just to try and keep us connected.
I counted 14 different flowers in my little arrangement and whilst not all are bulbs, the majority are.
This seasonal diary is part of a weekly link-up of garden bloggers from around the world, called Six on Saturday. For more information and links to other blogs crammed with gardening activity, check the blog of host The Propagator.
Bulbs are the best! And yours certainly are. The frit. is wonderful, I do like bulbs grown in pots, so stylish. And I give your flower bowl first prize!
Thanks Gill – the spring flower bulb is always hotly contested at our show. We have some talented flower arrangers in the group. Next year we’ll all be vying for the rosette again!
Your selection of bulbs in the greenhouse looks fantastic. Such a nice mix of colour and form.
The fritillaries are looking very at home. I was just admiring Paddy Tobin’s bulb meadow – it looks like yours are well on the way too!
It’s a bit of a slow development in the meadow but it’s great to see it develop year on year. I’m about to whizz over to look at Paddy’s now…
Bulbs are indeed wonderful – although I do grumble a bit when planting them. The pale blue Muscari is very pretty indeed. I’d never heard of Pushkinia but yours is the second one I’ve seen today (the other is over at https://pruneplantsow.wordpress.com/2021/04/03/sixonsaturday-april-3rd-satisfying/). Beautiful.
It’s a pushkinia revolution. Next year they’ll be on every blog!
The bulbs are faithful plants, once in place we can enjoy them for several years. You still have a very nice selection of ( rare )plants and I congratulate you!
That means allot coming from you Fred. You too grow some lovely rare plants.
Beautiful collection of bulbs in pots — what a range. Well done 😉
Thanks Megan – it’s always lovely to have a little display of pretties on this table.
I think we can all relate to regretting buying so many bulbs in autumn, then come spring being delighted that we did. You have some lovely ones, I especially like the unusual fox’s grapes fritillaria (and its alternative name), and the snakeshead fritillaries are such fascinating bulbs, I’d love to try some but not sure if conditions are damp enough here. The flower bowl is delightful!
The snakeshead frits might be worth a try. This orchard area always retains some moisture but I wouldn’t call it damp. I have some planted in the corners of another bit of lawn which is even drier in summer. They work well in pots too.
I can relate to regretting buying so many bulbs in autumn too, yet every spring I wish I had bought more. I love your opening photo of all different bulbs in their pots. It’s as tempting as a patisserie window display.
Hi Hortus – You’ve got me thinking about cream cakes now!
What a lovely description: “the silvery sheen of a plum fresh from the garden.” The cultivation of a meadow at the feet of your fruit trees is inspired. I had been wondering what use to make of the space between my recently planted trees. I really like the bee house you have situated in the midst of the grasses and bulbs. Your flower arrangement is the picture of abundance.
Hi Erin, the meadow is a lazy form of gardening as it takes very little maintenance. But it is just so beautiful. Each year more flowers arrive unbidden. The first year it was just buttercups but now we get lots of ladies smock too. Right now there are also primroses and violets. I wonder what wildflowers you’d get over there in the US?
Could I ask you to name the white-flowering bulb which is at the bottom right of your leading photograph, please. We have it in the garden for years but the name escapes us!
Hi Paddy – those little white flowers are Chinodoxa.
After seeing your lovely Pushkinia in a pot, I’ll be digging the few slug chewed specimens from the garden and growing them in a pot next year.
Yes sometimes the slugs just need to be evaded! I do think the pushkinias look great in a pot anyway – a nice table centrepiece.