Spring 2010 Cornish Gardener 15

Sizzling summer bulbs

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ulbs are beautiful hidden things waiting to happen.

We tend to think of bulb planting as being an autumn and early winter task, looking forward to a spring showing. And yet there are a huge number of bulbs which can be planted now for summer and early autumn flowering. Bulbs are ideal for any size garden, but especially good for small gardens because they utilise underground space as well as the surface, so they can pop through plants which have already flowered, to extend the season.

A

good thing about bulbs, as well as corms, rhizomes and

tubers, is that they don’t need particularly good soil, they hold their own store of food, and, as long as they are not planted in waterlogged soil, are happy in most situations. The only thing you have to remember is to plant bulbs at the right depth. Too shallow and they will be prey to pests, especially slugs.

The usual advice is to plant bulbs at least twice their own depth. With tender bulbs, however, experts say plant much deeper. This will protect the bulb during cold periods, especially those which are left in the ground to over-winter.

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ome may be difficult to find, but there are specialist bulb

catalogues and many nurseries and garden centres are now carrying a much more interesting range of these lovely plants. The warmth of Cornwall is ideally suited to the more tender species and the further down the county you go the more chance of success.

THE Ginger Lily, Hedichium, has tall attractive spikes of flowers in brilliant colours

Some growers of South African plants even say that bulbs which are normally too tender to leave out can be planted deep and will survive, although in a very cold winter

they might be vulnerable if the ground freezes. There follows a few examples of summer flowering bulbs which can be planted now or in the next few weeks.

Agapanthus: Well known, but you usually find them potted up. Cheaper to buy rhizomes from a catalogue to get a good supply going. Beautiful blues and purples, plus white, they are stately plants for borders or in tubs. Surprisingly hardy and will return year after year. Plant in April and May and keep well watered throughout dry periods. Alstromeria: A tuberous root bearing lily-like flowers which are often seen in florists’ bouquets but are fairly easy to grow. Great flowers for cutting. Colours are white, yellow, bronze, red, purple and orange, most with pretty markings inside. Plant in April quite deep, at least six inches. Protect in cold areas by lifting in winter. The only disappointment is that they rarely produce many flowers in their first season.

THE exotic looking Sandersonia, left, and the equally exotic Alstromeria, are just two of the bulbs, corms, rhizomes or tubers you can plant in the next few weeks for summer flowering Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32