Spring bulbs are easier than you think! Especially these naturalising bulbs which can remain in the ground year after year and bring you a stunning show. They are perfect for lazy and busy gardeners alike.

Mixes and Collections of Naturalising bulbs

Crocus

Crocus are invaluable early flowers to ring in the spring as these are some of the first blooms to open (or the last of winter depending on where you live). Once established these delicate beauties can produce up to four flowers from a bulb.

Dutch Crocus grow best in cool climates where they look best in rockeries, beds and pots. Plant in a sunny spot into well drained soil. They will tolerate light shade, such as under deciduous trees, especially in more temperate zones. The bulbs don’t need to be lifted every year so allow them to naturalise and only dig and divide after four or five years.

Saffron Crocus are famous for bearing the worlds most expensive spice. THe Saffron Crocus is also quite a charming flower. The colour of the three red styles contrasts beautifully with the lilac petals. The autumn blooms are around 5cm across. The flowers may only last for one to two days, but they can flower for up to a four week period with each corm producing up to five flowers.

Grape Hyacinth

Grape Hyacinths or Muscari are great for rockeries, pots, nooks and crannies, along pathways, drifts, grass plantings or at the front of beds. The flowers open late winter to early spring and look brilliant planted with Miniature Daffodils. The grass like foliage emerges late autumn to winter.

Plant your Grape Hyacinths into well drained soil, humus rich is ideal but they will cope in poor soils with good drainage. Water the bulbs in, natural rainfall should take care of the rest, you will only need to water them they dry out during growth. Grape Hyacinth bulbs are best left to naturalise where they will multiply to form nice clumps. Add some general purpose synthetic fertiliser or blood and bone as the flowers are forming and again as they are fading to ensure good growth in the coming year.

They are known as Grape Hyacinths because the florets resemble a bunch of grapes, they also have a very light fragrance which is similar to fresh grapes. They are native to Mediterranean Europe and South Western Asia.

Other

One of the hardest things about spring bulbs is choosing your favourites! By adding to your collection each year you will narrow it down and create lots of joy and memories along the way.

Spring Star Flowers

These flowers are tough, enduring and oh so pretty. Plant them in a sunny position, then sit back and wait for spring. Masses of flowers will bloom for months. Then they will gradually disappear without any fuss and pop up again next year, likely with even more blooms. You will wonder how you ever did without them.

Cottage Gladioli

Dainty, colourful blooms which are good and hardy. Each stem bears multiple flowers (2-3 spikes with around 7 blooms on each) which are marvellous in the garden or in a vase. Unlike the full size varieties, the Cottage versions do not require any staking which is a welcome relief for busy gardeners.

Nerines

The ultimate source of low maintenance autumn/winter colour. Plant a range for a lasting and lovely display. They even thrive in pots.

Allium

Alliums come in a huge range of shapes and sizes. From the impressive floral globes of ‘GlobeMaster’ and ‘Mount Everest’ to the dainty Drumsticks. One thing they all have in common is that they love a sunny, well drained spot. The flowers begin late spring and with a range of species will last into mid summer.

Belladonna Lily

Naturally lovely, Belladonna Lilies or Amaryllis are super tough bulbs that are virtually fool proof. A top choice for gardens or pots and if you can bear to pick them they even do well in a vase.

In average conditions up to four flowers open on a stem, in ideal conditions and from a mature bulb, up to twelve can bloom! The blooms have a sweet honeysuckle fragrance. Once the flowers have finished the foliage emerges which is attractive and glossy.

They thrive in any well drained soil and can tough out the dry. Plant in a sunny spot. Belladonna Lilies need water the most late summer to autumn when they are flowering – this time is usually blessed with rain so you shouldn’t need to do much to compensate.

You don’t need to lift your bulbs each season, just leave them in the ground or pot to naturalise. Fertilise annually in spring with a well rotted animal manure or synthetic slow release fertiliser.

Also known as 'Naked Ladies', because their flowers emerge first, without the modesty of foliage.