For sun or part shade… Bring on the bulbs

When you are planning what to plant for spring, think on – opting for bulbs suited to your light levels will guarantee a fantastic display, as Hazel Sillver explains

- Hazel Sillver

THEY may not look all that promising – net bags filled with little dry brown packages, a bit like the ‘wonky’ onions you can now buy in the supermarket. But inside every pack of spring bulbs is a riot of colour and scent just waiting to burst out. Sun or shade, a mix of bulbs offers a succession of interest, with early spring crocuses giving way to daffodils, followed by tulips and alliums.

There really is no more useful plant when it comes to planting up borders. Most bulbs are uninvasive, so they can be planted amongst perennials that do not get going until later in the year, thus preventing empty spaces in the border in spring. Snowdrops, for instance, are the perfect partners for deciduous ferns, which have yet to unfurl in February when those delicate white flowers appear.

Be wary, though, of putting your bulbs close to plants that you regularly dig up and divide – there’s nothing worse than putting a fork or trowel through a slumbering bulb. If you have the time, it’s well worth drawing a mini-map of the parts of your garden that contain bulbs; that way, you can avoid digging over those sections of soil.

The ultimate spring display

October is peak purchasing and planting time for all bulbs except tulips – you should wait until November to plant those. Most people buy one or two in bulk, which they dot throughout the garden. This will certainly provide plenty of colour, but with a bit more thought, your spring bulb display can be as impressive as any summer array of perennials and annuals.