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Naturalising Bulbs.

At the sight of a patch of naturalised bulbs we invariably catch our breath with pleasure. There`s just something special about naturalised bulbs. They create lovely, natural looking Spring time pictures whether it be an informal drift of daffodils, a pocket of brilliant blue grape hyacinths or a free flowing patch of bluebells spreading underneath a flowering cherry tree.
Best of all - anyone can create these natural and inspirational `garden pictures` and it`s not necessary for you to have a wild woodland at the bottom of your garden to do so. Bulbs can be naturalised in the lawn, in the orchard, under deciduous trees, along the drive, lining a winding path on steep embankments or simply in a semi-wild corner of the garden.

The aim of naturalising bulbs

is to create a natural, informal kind of beauty that`s easy to maintain. Once established, naturalised bulbs are permanent, trouble free and better looking with every passing year. However, as with `natural` makeup and `casual` hair styles, there is quite an art to making a planting of bulbs look `natural` but it`s art which is easy to learn!

The art of creating the `natural` look

We think that Gertrude Jekyll described the best method for avoiding `contrived` plantings when naturalising bulbs. She simply threw a bucket full of potatoes in the general direction of where she wanted the bulbs and where each potato fell she planted a bulb. If you`re planting smaller bulbs, it`s just as easy to scatter the bulbs over the soil & plant where they land. (If choosing the latter method, don`t drop the bulbs from a standing position because you want to avoid bruising them).

Planting for a permanent display:

Since the bulbs you plant to naturalise will be there for many years, it`s a worthwhile investment of your time to ensure you`ve chosen the right spot and the soil is well prepared.

Choosing a suitable site.
Firstly, choose a site with free draining soil and where you can resist the urge to mow the foliage off before it has fully died back naturally. A wild `meadow` part of the garden is ideal where you can allow the grass to grow long and luscious. (For a pretty effect, simply mow meandering pathways through the long grass!) ** underline on
Select the bulbs.
There are many bulbs that will naturalise easily in the cooler climates with the traditional favourite being Daffodils. Other suitable bulbs include Bluebells, Grape Hyacinths, massing Freesias, Anemones (although they need replenishing every a couple of years), Ixias, Dutch Iris, Bearded Iris, Sparaxis, Tritonia, Cuban lilies, Watsonias, Lachenalias and many many more. Always make sure that the bulbs you plant are firm and plump.
Plant the bulbs.
Use a hand trowel or a specially designed bulb planter to dig your holes. If the soil is particularly compacted it`s ideal to fork the area over firstly to loosen it up and remove all large clumps of soil. Dig one hole per bulb, place a little fertiliser in the bottom, cover this with a thin layer of soil before placing the bulb on top (points upward) & back-filling the rest of the hole. Alternatively, sprinkle the fertiliser over the top of the completed planting & water in.
Caring for your naturalised bulbs (it`s very easy)
Naturalised bulbs are, by their very nature, very easy care. However, it`s worth ensuring their (very) basic needs because the results are so breath-taking.
Their FIRST requirement is food. Fertilise using a bulb fertiliser (or Blood & Bone, chicken manure, etc) and apply a handful twice annually. Once in Autumn and again in late Spring.
Their SECOND requirement is water. Like all bulbs, naturalised ones like to be watered whilst actively growing & allowed to dry out whilst they`re dormant. Often this requires no action on your part since it`s Winter when the bulbs require water & Summer when they need to dry out.
Their THIRD requirement is that their foliage be allowed to grow unimpeded (ie: do not mow it!). This is very important because the leaves act like solar panels and collect the energy which the bulb needs to produce flowers in the following years.

We recommend the following regime: Keep mowing over your naturalised planting until the green tips appear & then mow once more on your highest possible setting. The next mow should not be until after the foliage dies down in late Spring to early Summer.
If you follow these basic requirements you`ll be able to enjoy a breath-taking display of natural bulbs for very many years to come.

Last Reviewed: 18/02/2004 9:33:42 AM

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