Our Guide To The Best Bulbs To Plant For Spring 2021
Country Life UK|September 09, 2020
With tens of thousands of bulbs to choose from, what should you order? Val Bourne selects the finest, chosen for looks, performance and reliability
Val Bourne
Our Guide To The Best Bulbs To Plant For Spring 2021

Narcissus Golden Echo

Why? This subtle, lemon-yellow and cream, April-flowering Highgrove favourite is highly scented, due to its Jonquil blood. The name Echo reflects a succession of two or three weather-resistant flowers per stem. Best of all, this robust variety returns year on year, in border or container. 15in

Partner with Scilla siberica, Muscari aucheri Blue Magic or Chionodoxa luciliae

Other scented narcissi to try Elka, Lancaster, Lieke and Sweet Love

Narcissus Cheerfulness AGM

Why? This classic, April-flowering florist’s favourite is a double Tazetta, so it needs a warm, well-drained position. The creamy flowers, touched with egg-yolk yellow and a touch of green, are richly scented, so it’s an ideal cutting-garden bulb and good in containers. It dwindles, so re-plant regularly. 16in

Partner with Tulipa Havran, Narcissus Starlight Sensation and Hyacinth multiflora Blue Pearl

Other double narcissi to try Yellow Cheerfulness, Sir Winston Churchill and Acropolis

Narcissus Sailboat AGM (1980)

Why? The swept-back flowers and flared lemon-yellow trumpet add a jaunty, carefree note to this dainty fragrant, creamy narcissus. It never looks glacial and returns well, unlike most whites. It’s mid to late season and able to withstand a warm spring day, as well as spring squalls. 12in

Partner with Any deep-blue muscari, Narcissus Lemon Sailboat and Tulipa Negrita

Other swept-back narcissi to try Mother Duck, Jack Snipe and Jenny

Tulipa Apricot Foxx

This story is from the September 09, 2020 edition of Country Life UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 09, 2020 edition of Country Life UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COUNTRY LIFE UKView All
Every picture tells a story
Country Life UK

Every picture tells a story

As the National Gallery prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary in May, Carla Passino delves into the fascinating history of 10 of its paintings, from artistic triumphs to ugly ducklings and a clever fake

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 24, 2024
Flying between extremes
Country Life UK

Flying between extremes

Revisiting the Norfolk of his childhood bright, but not as early as planned on an April morning, John Lewis-Stempel is entranced by the wildlife of the Broads and spots a crane so large it renders his binoculars redundant Illustration by Michael Frith

time-read
4 mins  |
April 24, 2024
Satan on six legs
Country Life UK

Satan on six legs

The prowling embodiment of Beelzebub, the Devil's coach horse beetle could absolve you of all your sins, says Ian Morton

time-read
3 mins  |
April 24, 2024
Sometimes, less is more
Country Life UK

Sometimes, less is more

FASHIONS in gardening come and go like those on the catwalk, they simply take a lot longer doing so: sometimes decades.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 24, 2024
Dropping down to Derwentwater
Country Life UK

Dropping down to Derwentwater

The gardens of High Moss, Portinscale, Cumbria The home of Peter and Christine Hughes Non Morris visits a much-loved, Historically fascinating Arts-andCrafts garden, which has been imaginatively brought back to life

time-read
3 mins  |
April 24, 2024
A Georgian legacy
Country Life UK

A Georgian legacy

Down in Wiltshire and Somerset, two country houses and estates have been well tended by their owners

time-read
5 mins  |
April 24, 2024
Processions, proclamations and punishment
Country Life UK

Processions, proclamations and punishment

The wayside crosses that were once beacons in the British landscape have seldom survived the forces of Nature and iconoclasm. Lucien de Guise follows a trail of destruction

time-read
4 mins  |
April 24, 2024
A sparkling collection
Country Life UK

A sparkling collection

Guided by the nose of wine expert Harry Eyres, the COUNTRY LIFE team tasted some of England's finest sparkling wines and found elegance and finesse, with notes of hedgerows and seaside air, to compete with any fizz from across the Channel-surely, this is what we should be drinking now Qu

time-read
6 mins  |
April 24, 2024
Hampering after summer
Country Life UK

Hampering after summer

Lifting the lid on a sturdy hamper to find cold ham and ginger beer is a summer joy. Julie Harding meets the wicker weavers who make the dream come true

time-read
4 mins  |
April 24, 2024
Life's a picnic
Country Life UK

Life's a picnic

With picnic season fast approaching, it's time to elevate your alfresco feast to Michelin-star levels of deliciousness. Here, Paul Henderson asks a selection of the finest chefs to open up their picnic baskets and share some of their top tips for culinary success

time-read
5 mins  |
April 24, 2024