Planting Ahead

I love September. The lure of new shoes, cosy knitwear and fresh stationery has never quite left me. These days spring bulbs have firmly joined that seasonal shopping list.

It’s another chance for a fresh start (somehow more compelling than NYE), a time to set intentions for the months ahead and what better way to do that than nestling spring bulbs in the soil.

It’s in these golden months that gardeners quietly shape things to come. It’s the perfect time to take stock, what’s working, what needs to go. Is it time for a new colour scheme or a total redesign. What we do now determines whether spring arrives in a rush of colour or a whimper.

Planting bulbs has got to be one of the most satisfying and smug-face making of all garden jobs. A tiny investment now brings huge returns come the spring when you’ve forgotten all about the riot of blooms you planted on that crisp autumn day amongst the fallen leaves, conkers and spiders webs.

If you have a spare pot crying out for some love, why not try a bulb lasagne for months of joy. Go wild and layer up a succession of colour, shape and texture, with the earliest to bloom at the top. Tulips can be planted to a depth of 20cm so work perfectly as your deepest layer. Tulip 'La Belle Époque' with its gorgeous vintage tones is a stunning late bloomer. Your next layer could be an early tulip such as the apple white Tulip 'Purissima' or perhaps it’s Narcissus time (is it really spring without a daffodil?) Narcissus 'Thalia' is a favourite of mine with its slender, pale petals. Finally top off with vibrant Iris reticulata 'Blue Note' for a hit of indigo, or the abundant Narcissus 'Minnow' for a profusion of beautifully scented, multiple flower heads as early as February.

Of course, there are so many bulbs to choose from you don’t need to stick to tulips and daffs. Bulb catalogues and websites have handy flowering calenders so it’s easy to plan your successive display. Just be sure to space everything out a little more than you would normally as it’s going to get crowded in there!

If pots aren’t your thing, then why not try naturalising bulbs in the lawn. Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus is an elegant late flowering, highly scented daffodil, which looks particularly beautiful in the long grass. If your soil is reliably damp the Fritillaria meleagris will love it and multiply happily. These nodding, checker board flowers with their delicate leaves and stems give a woodland edge feel and look great under trees. For a natural display, scatter the bulbs and simply plant them where they land. For a more established feel group bulbs in little clusters.

If you’ve never treated yourself to some bulbs why not make this the autumn you do. From meadow style lawns to window boxes bursting with colour there’s a style to suit every garden, balcony or landscape. And the little smile that says ‘yeah I did’ feels pretty good too.

Does your garden need a different perspective, a total rethink or simply some revised planting? Why not get in touch today and together we can give your garden a beautiful, fresh start.