Bulbs in flower through the year!

Bulbs give great continuity and - often much needed colour to our gardens at otherwise difficult times of the year.

Whilst we normally associate flowering bulbs with the first days of spring. Snowdrops, Daffodils, Tulips etc. It is possible to have bulbs in flower for more or less twelve months of the year! We have to cheat a little bit, and include Corms and Tubers. Not exactly 'bulbs' but they are often referred to as bulbs - having the same basic characteristics. That is to say, that they are below-ground storage units for various plants that need to hibernate - not in the winter normally, but in the hot dry summers of tropical countries.

We will explain the difference between bulbs, corms, and tubers on a different page. Simply be aware, that they are really versatile, need little attention, and can truly provide flowers for most of the year.

Spring Flowering Bulbs

Starting at the beginning of the year - often before winter has finished, we will see snowdrops (Galanthus), Crocus, followed by Daffodils (Narcissus), and then Tulips and Fritillaries . These are then followed up with the Hyacinths and Alliums.

Later in the Spring we will be happy to see Hyacinthoides (Bluebells), Camassias, maybe some Anemones, and of course a few Irises. (These are in fact rhizomes - but again, treated like bulbs. Oh yes, I forgot to mention Ranunculus - some have tubers, others have rhizomes.

Summer Flowering Bulbs

Now we start to 'cheat' by using some 'corms' and tubers. No matter, they all have the same characteristics of dormancy needing to be broken once planted. Begonia tubers, lily bulbs, calla bulbs, Gladioli corms and Agapanthus, Galtonias, maybe we can get away with calling Crocosmia bulbs as well - though really corms. Cannas will make an appearance in mid to late summer as well,

Autumn Flowering Bulbs

Will include more Crocosmia and the later Agapanthus varieties, together with Cannas. Eremurus are welcome for their sheer height - up to 1.2metres high. Whaw - Some bulb! Many Lily types are happy flowering later, and we also have Eucomis - weird but nice! Lets throw in some Dahlias - tubers, and cap it all off with some of those gorgeous Autumn Crocus Bulbs - Colchicums. Not finished yet, for we have some hardy cyclamen (hederifolium for Autumn) to give us a good carpet of flowers 'neath that difficult tree canopy.  Nerines have the most gaudy pink colour - but hey, this will be November - so we need the brightness to cheer us up.

Winter Flowering Bulbs

Cyclamen coum hybrids, Eranthus, Leucojums, Iris reticulata - and Iris danfordiae.

So there we have it. Year round colour with bulbs (and Corms and Tubers and Rhizomes). Yes. I have missed some out! On purpose! See if you can think of them!