by Hannah Stephenson


I'm thinking about bulbs, what to plant, where to plant them and if there's anything new on offer. Planting bulbs in the


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autumn creates an optimism and air of anticipation for spring, when everything bursts into life, and many of the bulb specialists, maii order and online suppiiers are offering new types and more choice than ever. Here are just a few of the best bulbs for planting this


autumn; Narcissus "William Park" -


This giant single-flowered daffodil produces super-sized, 15-centimetre blooms. (Thompson & Morgan, 0844 248 5383, www.thompson- morgan.com)


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Allium "Carlito"-This


o sooner have I returned from my summer holidays than


beautiful new addition to the popular ornamental onion family produces densely packed heads of starry flowers in a subtle lilac hue, but is no less formidable than the favourite "Globemaster". It will grow to around 75cm and is ideal for dried flower arrangements when the colour has gone and just the seedheads remain. (Jacques Amand, 020 8420 7110, www.jacquesamand.com) Camassia leichtiinii "Pale


Pink" - While most camassias are deep blue, these are a more subtle shade of pale pink and are just as hardy and tough as other leichtiinii, but broad-petalied in a soft baby pink. (Avon 8ulbs, 01460 242 177, www.avonbulbs.co.uk) Anemone "Jerusalem


Mixed" - Originating from Israel, these colourful, poppy­ like blooms are produced on


long stems from each corm. They are easy to grow and ideal for creating a stunning spring or early summer display in your garden - and your vases. (Thompson & Morgan, 0844 248 5383, www.thompson-morgan.com) Crocus "Vanguard" - This


pretty lilac specimen bridges the gap between smaller- flowered, earlier crocuses and the March-flowering giants derived from C vernus. It needs good drainage and an open, sunny position to flower and looks good in drifts in grass mixed with short, early narcissi such as "Jetfire". (Avon Bulbs, 01450 242177, www.avonbulbs.co.uk; Pottertons Nursery, 01472 851 714, www.pottertons.co.uk; Broadleigh Bulbs, 01823 285 231,www.broadleighbulbs.co.u


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Hyacinth "Prince of Love" -Double-flowered hyacinths


are a rarity, but this dramatic and fragrant variety with its densely-packed flower spikes iooks great in beds, borders or patio pots. (Thompson & Morgan, 0844 248 5383, www.thompson-morgan.com) Allium "Silver Spring"-A


recent introduction from Israel, the white loiiipop flowers on 75cm stems are unique, with each floret sporting a distinctive deep- pink centre, it flowers in May and June and is widely available. (Walkers Bulbs, 01405 425


215, www.bulbs.co.uk; Jacques Amand, 020 8420 7110, www.jacquesamand.com; Broadleigh Bulbs 01823 286 231,www.broadleighbulbs.co.u k; Unwins - stockists call 028 8772 7500) Narcissus "Tali Bonair" -


This impressive double daffodil grows to 35cm and has pale cream petals with a ruffled lemon-yellow centre, flowering in April. It's also an excellent cut flower. (Unwins - stockists call 028 8772 7500) Tulipa clusiana


"Peppermint Stick" - Not new,


but worth a try. This pint-sized tuiip, which


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grows to just 25cm, produces dainty flowers in April with deep rosy-red outer petals just edged silvery white. The inner petals show a


deep steel-blue base when open in the sun. They originate from the


Mediterranean and the Far East, and are popuiar in rockeries and wild gardens, or can be naturalised. (Avon Bulbs, 01450 242177,


www.avonbulbs.co.uk; Miniature Buibs & Choice Bulbs, 01423 542 819, miniaturebulbs.co.uk; Gee Tee Bulb Company, 01205 260 412, www.gee-tee.co.uk). Hyacinth "Garden


'St;':'** l i 18 the Valley


Masquerade" - This richly- scented variety produces deep-purple flowers which make a real statement in patio containers in spring, especially if they are close to the door, where you can enjoy their delicious odour as you venture into the garden. (Unwins - stockists call 028 8772 7500)


What to do this week • Check that late-flowering perennials such as


Michaelmas daisies are well-supported. • Trim back laurel hedges and also cut back privet,


beech, hornbeam, box and holly. • Pinch out the tops of outdoor tomatoes, as any further


flowers which are forming now will not form ripe fruit. before autumn. • Finish summer pruning apple trees. • Take cuttings of penstemons and put them into 7.5cm


pots, covering them with a clear bag until rooted. • Sow hardy annuals in pots now to flower early next


year. • Keep crops in pots in the greenhouse well-watered,


and feed weekly. • Cover cherries and autumn fruiting raspberries with


nets to keep the birds off them. • Pick dahlias regulariy and continue tying in stems to


their supports. • Prune lavender bushes if this wasn't completed last


season. • Sow hardy types of winter lettuce outside or in


frames. • Plant out bulbs of autumn crocus and colchicums. • Ensure camellias are well-watered, as they will be forming flower buds now to bloom next spring - if they dry out, they will drop.


RIACKBURM DarwsN


King George’s Hall Box Office: 0844 847 1664 www.klnggeorgeshall.comwww.blackburncomedyfestival.com


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3 Stephen K Amos 5 fV!art!n ‘Bigpig’ fVlor


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^ 6 Frog & Bucket "" 7 Grumpy Old Women


7 Paul Chowdhry - Made in Englistan Special


7 Norman Prince* 8 Tom Wrigglesworth


10 Phil Walker & Brendan Riley 11 Billy Pearce & Duncan Norvelle 12 Roy 'Chubby' Brown 12 Johnny Casson* 13 Made In Englistan 14 Jimmy Carr 15 Ed Byrne 15 Cannon & Ball* 17 Circus Of Horrors 20 The Lancashire Hotpots 20 Russell Kane


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21 Al Murray - The Pub Landlord


22 Jason Manford


* Act to be held at Darwen Library Theatre


UBRARV theatre


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