A little forward planning [September 2004]
Spring bulbs? But we are only just into autumn some of you may be muttering. Gardening is all about looking forward - a little thought now and you will appreciate your efforts in early spring next year when we all need a lift. The growers have already done the hard work of plumping bulbs up to flower for you so they should give a reliable show with little effort.

Snowdrops are one of the first signs of spring; I poke around impatiently in frosted earth looking for the snouted flowers protected in their green hoods as they pierce through the ground. I don't aspire to be a 'galanthophile' - a select band who can be found on hands and knees on cold February days lifting the skirts of snowdrops to note the minutest differences in petal markings. To my untutored eye a few do stand out, including Magnet which has a long 'pedicel' [the green bit that connects the flower to the main stem] which allows the flowers to 'dance' in the breeze and Sam Arnott who is taller than most with large scented white flowers.

Small early iris are a delight, one minute there is bare earth, the next, these delicate and richly coloured iris are up and open. The dainty reticulata types display colours ranging from the rich purple George through many shades of blue to the almost white Natascha. The cheerful but ephemeral golden I. danfordiae is also an early gem. The downside to these iris is that after flowering the leaves lengthen and get sprawly as they build up the flower power for next year, but if you grow them in pots you can hide them away.

There are small beauties amongst the daffodils to be considered including curiosities - Van Sion with a very doubled split trumpet and Rip Van winkle which looks like a little dandelion - both have been admired and grown for hundreds of years. There are lots of other small daffodils to choose from - Tête-à-tête is most often seen as a forced bulb in the shops around Christmas but it's a good daffodil for orderly spring borders. A more natural planting style could combine our native [or naturalised] daffodils, Narcissus obvallaris and N. pseudonarcissus.

Crocus flowers also have the habit of suddenly appearing but don't do full justice to themselves until the sun comes out, then they fling their petals wide to soak up the rays! The Dutch crocuses are a bit too bold for many and I prefer the lower growing and smaller flowered types including Blue Pearl, Cream Beauty and Snow Bunting. Another is the pale lilac C.tommasinianus which is delicate in appearance and robust in nature - look for sheets of it next spring under the trees near the Botanic Garden in Royal Victoria Park.

Bulbs can be layered in large pots to give a succession of flowers from crocuses through to tulips. Put the largest bulbs on a layer of compost in the bottom and work upwards by decreasing bulb size layering in between with compost [check packs and catalogues for information on planting depths]. Growing bulbs in smaller pots allows you to get 'up close and personal' and really appreciate the early flowers and they can also be brought inside to be admired in comfort!

A little forward planning now in choosing and ordering bulbs will reward you with colour and scent in those cold grey early spring days to come. Somerset based specialist suppliers include Avon Bulbs and Broadleigh Bulbs and local garden centres stock a good selection of spring bulbs.

My monthly gardening column from The Bath Magazine - Bath's best local magazine for events, listings, news and views. Whether you live in and around Bath or are visiting us, it's a great source of local information.

Links:
Avon Bulbs web site
Broadleigh Bulbs
Old House Bulbs [US only]