Gardening: Plant Hunters Article - February/March 25
Dwarf Spring Bulbs To Light Up Your Garden by Martin Blow
We all love snowdrops, crocus and daffs in the late winter and early spring but there are many more bulbs to choose from including some very choice dwarf bulbs that can stand up to the wind and rain.
Most of these bulbs are planted in autumn, but never fear, you can buy potted bulbs in flower at early spring plant fairs to get into your garden and tubs for instant colour.
Glory of the Snow, (Chionodoxa) produces multiple starry flowers on each stem in February and March in shades of blue and pink. The plants grow to around 15cm / 6in tall and are excellent planted in a rockery or the front of a border in sun or light shade, including under deciduous trees and shrubs in fairly well drained conditions. They will eventually spread to form large drifts that sparkle in the late winter sun. Recommended species and varieties include C.forbesii and C.luciliae. C.gigantea has the largest flowers.
The Striped Squill (Puschkinia) is related to bluebells and has the same ability to spread to form large drifts. Being dwarf it stands up well to windy conditions. The white flowers are striped with blue and there is also a pure white variety. It prefers well drained soil in sun or light shade. Flowering is in March and April.
The blue Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) is well-known in spring gardens but there are also some delightful varieties with pale blue, pink or white flowers. M. armeniacum is the most commonly grown species with white-rimmed blue flowers. M. botryoides has sky blue flowers. There are many named pink or white flowered varieties to choose from. For something a little unusual, the Feather Hyacinth (M. comosum “Plumosum”) has feathery blue flowers. Muscari is quick to clump up, easy to grow and flowers in April and May. The bulbs are best planted in a sunny spot.
In common with most bulbs, it is best not to cut back or mow over if planted in grass until the leaves start to die off later in spring as they will continue to feed the bulb, ready for next year’s show. Lift and divide clumps after flowering but before the leaves die back for best results.
Remember to mark the drifts so that you don’t dig them up by accident after the leaves have gone. The bulbs will spread around deciduous shrubs that will cover the bare earth left by the bulbs through the summer and autumn.
Janet & I organise Plant Hunters’ Fairs, specialist plant fairs at wonderful locations. Please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk for a full list of our 2025 plant fairs. Please check the website for all the latest updates before travelling.
Plant Fair Dates for your 2025 diary: Saturday 29th March, Bodenham Arboretum, DY11 5TB. Sunday 13th April, Middleton Hall, Nr Tamworth, B78 2AE (ticket required). Sunday 4th May, 1620s House and Garden, Nr Coalville, LE67 2FW (ticket required). Monday 5th May, Chasewater Country Park, WS8 7NL.
