Easy Bulbs to buy in autumn - Alpine Garden Society

Volume: 03
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Info Leaflet: Easy bulbs to buy in autumn
Easy Bulbs to buy in autumn
The bulb trade has been flourishing for centuries, and
the range of bulbs on sale is so large that the beginner
can be totally overwhelmed by the choice available,
some at very high prices. Add to this the range of
nurserymen attending AGS shows who specialise in
dwarf bulbs and it is difficult to know where to begin.
So why begin to grow bulbs?
• Many bulbs are very easy to grow and cheap to buy, so represent excellent
value for the garden, or for pots and containers.
• Some can be planted in August – September and be in flower the same
year; almost instant results.
• Others flower in the following winter and
spring and can give early colour in the garden.
• Bulbs are the classic plant which survive and
flourish, in areas which suffer summer drought.
• Most bulbs will increase steadily over the years
to give increasing value.
• Many bulbs are short in stature, so associate
well with alpine plants in general.
• Planting a good range of dwarf hardy bulbs can
add colour to the garden throughout the year.
Tulipa saxatilis
Fritillaria meleagris
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Easy Bulbs to buy in autumn
When is the best time to buy?
The best time to buy the vast majority of dwarf hardy bulbs is as soon as they become available
in the nurseries and garden centres. This can mean any time from July onwards. If you buy
early in the season you will:
• have a wider choice of species and varieties.
• have the opportunity to choose the biggest, healthiest bulbs.
• be able to buy undamaged, plump bulbs; very important for success with some species.
• be able to plant some bulbs early, so that they develop good root systems before winter.
• be able to plant bulbs which can flower as early as September.
Few bulb sellers will think to tell you, but all have a built-in code, which tells you how easy they
are to grow: the price! Low price: easy, high price: more difficult. If you begin by buying the
cheap and cheerful you can hardly go wrong.
Crocus sieberi
When is the best time to plant?
There are some bulbs which do not respond well to being
dried out for sale in the autumn. These include snowdrops
(Galanthus), snowflakes (Leucojum and Acis), dogs-tooth
violets (Erythronium), Cyclamen and some daffodils (narcissi;
Narcissus cyclamineus in particular). If bought in the dry state
they may be very difficult to establish, or may fail completely.
All are far better bought as pot-grown plants in the spring. This
group of bulbs will be described in a separate Info. Leaflet.
Most bulbs, by their very nature, will survive being dried out and
sold in that state, but even so, it is usually best to plant as soon
as you obtain them. If planting cannot be done straight away
because this would disturb other plants, this will not be a great
problem. Indeed some colchicums can be placed on a saucer
on a windowsill, and allowed
to flower in a completely dry
state, but they must be planted
as soon as possible after the
flowers have gone over. If you
have many bulbs to plant, tulips
can safely be left until last, even
as late as November.
Tulipa tarda Allium moly

Easy Bulbs to buy in autumn
How to plant
There is no special technique.
Simply dig a hole in the
ground and place the bulb
in the bottom. Make sure
that the base of the bulb is
in firm contact with the soil
in the bottom of the hole;
an air cavity underneath can
delay root development or
even lead to rotting in heavy
soils. When planting groups
of smaller bulbs, like crocus
or dwarf narcissi, it is often
easier to dig out a single,
wider hole, so that the bulbs
can be carefully spaced to
give a pleasing effect. A useful
rule of thumb it that the depth
of soil above the bulbs when
the hole is refilled should be
about 2 – 3 times the height of
the bulb itself, but this is not at
all critical, as many bulbs have
ways of adjusting themselves
to their ideal depth over one
or more growing seasons.
Recommended bulbs
All of the bulbs listed are readily available at moderate prices.
They have a good track-record established over many years,
and can be grown in a wide range of soils. As a general
rule, most of the bulbs mentioned here perform best in
sunny situations, but some give
an excellent performance in shady
places. These are marked (Sh).
In brackets after each description
is given the approximate flowering
height in cm, and the main month
of flowering, but with the recent
changes in weather patterns, this
can vary by + a month at least.
Allium moly
Clusters of glossy yellow, six-petaled starry flowers above sparse greyish
foliage. (25, June)
Arisarum proboscidium
A mouthful of a name for a cute little arum. The flowers look like the
rear ends of brown long-tailed mice diving into the carpet of deep green
leaves. Children love them. (6 – 8, May – August)
Chionodoxa
Glory of the Snow. The naming in the bulb trade may be confused.
Look out for Cc. forbesii, luciliae or sardensis. The stems bear clusters
of 6 – 8 large flowers in white, pink, or bright blue with a pure white
centre. All are good doers. (10, March – April)
Colchicum autumnale
Each corm produces a bunch of pink flowers in autumn, and glossy dark
green leaves in spring. There is a double-flowered form too: Colchicum
autumnale flore plena. (Sh) (10, September)
Colchicum speciosum album
Each large corm gives several splendid white flowers, shaped like a
Swedish wine glass. Careful placing is needed, as the glossy leaves are
rather large! (15, October)
Crocus chrysanthus.
The species produces a bunch of bright yellow flowers, but the many
hybrids under fancy names are all good and easy; look out for ‘Blue Bird’,
‘Blue Pearl’, ‘Cream Beauty’, ‘Ladykiller’, ‘Saturnus’, ‘Snowbunting’. (7,
February)

Easy Bulbs to buy in autumn
Crocus medius
Impress your friends with this autumn-flowering crocus. Lilac-purple flowers with contrasting orange-red
stigma. This one does well in moist soils, and will increase by underground stolons. Buy and plant as early
as possible. (5, October)
Crocus sieberi
Several subspecies and varieties are available, all good. C. sieberi tricolor is a stunner: each flower is bright
purple with a yellow base, with a white band between them. ‘Firefly’: inner petals violet, outer nearly white.
‘Bowles White’: white with a yellow base. Best in full sun with good drainage. (7, February)
Fritillaria meleagris
Wiry stems hold one or two large nodding bells in shades of purple or
white, with a chequered pattern. Will tolerate dry soils once established
and self-seed. Buy bulbs and plant them as early as possible; old, dry bulbs
may fail to establish. (15 – 30, April)
Narcissus bulbocodium.
The hoop-petticoat daffodil. Buy and plant as early as possible in humus-rich
moist soil. Conical flowers in many shades of yellow and various shapes,
and shiny narrow leaves. All are delightful! (10 – 15, February – April)
Narcissus juncifolius
A strongly-scented jonquil species, with small deep yellow flowers on tall, wiry stems. Has done surprisingly
well in poor, sandy soils. May also be found under the names N. assoanus or N. requienii. (10 – 25,
March)
Ornithogalum nutans
A relative of the ‘Star of Bethlehem’ with spikes of silvery-white outward-facing flowers. The petals have a
green or greyish stripe on the reverse. (15 – 20, May)
Scilla sibirica
Brilliant blue, slightly nodding flowers and glossy, dark green leaves. Will take some shade, but not too
much. (10, March).
Ornithogalum nutans
Narcissus bulbocodium.
Sternbergia lutea
Wonderful glossy upward-facing golden goblets, followed later by glossy, dark green
narrow leaves. For the hottest, sunniest place in your garden. (10, October)
Tritelia laxa ‘Queen Fabiola’
Generous heads of bright blue flowers. Plant in clumps 10 cm apart for a stunning
effect! (20, June – July)
Tulipa saxatilis
Large pale pink flowers with a bold yellow centre. Will flourish in the hottest,
sunniest situations. (20, April)
Tulipa tarda
A complete contrast. Glossy yellow petals, each with a white edge and reverse.
Must have full sun. (10, April)
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