Flowers grown from bulbs are inevitably associated with spring. The cheerful appearance of daffodils and crocuses announcing the start of a new year is a sight that raises everyone's spirits after the dull days of winter. There are, however, bulbs, corms and tubers for every season and indeed for every situation. It is this versatility that makes bulbs so valuable.

Please select a plant type for succesful growing and propagation details:

• Crocus
• Galanthus
• Muscari
• Chionodoxa
• Tulipa
• Darwin Tulips
• Eranthis
• Leucojum
• Cyclamen
• Hyacinthus
• Narcissus Hybrids
• Narcissus Species
• Iris Species
• Iris Bulbs
• Ipheion
• Freesia
• Colchicum
• Scilla
• Dahlia
• Lilium Species
• Lilium Hybrids
• Begonia
• Gladiolus
• Fritillaria
• Zantedeschia
  

In botanical terms a bulb is a shoot, surrounded by tightly packed leaves arranged roughly in a sphere, with fine roots issuing from beneath. In some instances the leaves simply overlap each other; examples of these so-called scaly bulbs are lilies and fritillaries. In both cases these leaves are storage organs containing reserve food to nourish foliage and flowers. Corms, for example crocuses, gladiolus and colchicums, are storage organs composed of a thickened stem base; tubers, for example dahlias and begonias, are swollen underground branches with `eyes' (buds) from which new plants are produced. Zantedeschias and some irises grow from rhi
zomes, which are swollen underground stems from which a number of flowering stems arise. Bulbs are planted at different depths according to type. Most like sun or light shade and thrive in light, naturally rich soil. They should not be planted in contact with crude manure.

COLOUR THE YEAR ROUND Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) appear in the middle of winter, closely followed by the bright yellow flowers of the winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis). Crocuses, scillas and chionodoxas enliven the cold bright days of very early spring, and then the glorious daffodil comes into its own. Daffodils - the genus Narcissus - have, like roses and chrysanthemums, attracted an enormous fan club, not only because of their individual beauty, but also their extraordinary variety. Most people are unaware of the range of narcissus (daffodils, strictly speaking, are narcissus whose central trumpet is as long as the surrounding petals). There are far too many individual species - about 60 - to describe here, but mention of three will demonstrate their diversity (and there are hundreds of hybrids as well). N. bulbocodium, at most 15cm/ 6in high, is unique, with leaves like chives. Very long, curved stamens protrude from Z.Scm/1 in trumpets that open wide, almost concealing the tiny petals. The poet's narcissus, N. poeticus, reaches 45cm/18in with white petals but bright red, frilly cups. An old favourite is the hybrid N. x odorus (campernelle jonquil), 45cm/18in high, with 2-3 large, scented flowers to each stem. From this the richly scented, brightly, coloured form `Sweetness' has been developed.

Muscari, scilla, hyacinth and leucojum bring flourishes of blue, white, yellow and pink to the spring garden. For adding oranges and reds to the picture (as well as subtle hues of pink, yellow and cream), tulips cannot be bettered. Like daffodils, they have their devoted followers and display a dazzling variety of forms.

Blue, purple, yellow and white, irises bloom from late spring into summer. And in summer the colour range is stretched to the limit when gladioli and lilies come into bloom. These beautiful flowers are much used for indoor decoration but because of their height and erect habit must placed with care in the border. Lilies look splendid grouped together, rather than trying to integrate them, perhaps with a low-growing plant with decorative leaves at their feet. Clumps of the shorter gladiolus hybrids can be set in the middle of a mixed border, especially if offset with the interesting foliage of Alchemilla mollis or Euphorbia robbiae.

A garden with dahlias will never lack for autumn colour. These beautiful flowers come in a range of gorgeous colours and in a number of different forms, from neat pompons to the open anemone-flowered types. They bloom freely until the first frosts. Colchicums (autumn crocus) provide a subtler alternative for informal and cottage gardens. After they have faded, it is a matter of weeks before snowdrops reappear and the cycle begins again.

BULBS IN CONTAINERS Because of their varying sizes and flowering times, bulbs can be used in almost any part of the garden. They, are also excellent for tubs, window-boxes and troughs. Miniature species are particularly well suited to containers which can be set at a level where tiny plants, which would be overlooked in the border, can be appreciated. An alpine garden in a trough could include the very early flowering Iris histrioides or Narcissus juncifolius. Some of the most brilliant effects are achieved by planting numbers of a single species in one container, so that they all flower at the same time. In fact, bulbs look best set in groups whatever the situation. Dwarf tulips with interesting foliage look marvellous in stone troughs or half-barrels. Try T. clusiana, the lady tulip, with narrow grey-green leaves and white flowers flushed red, or T. greigii, whose grey-green leaves are marbled purple and brown, the flowers vivid red.

LIFTING BULBS Some bulbs, such as gladiolus, are not hardy enough to withstand the winter in very cold areas, and must be lifted and stored. In formal bedding schemes bulbs are lifted when they are past their best in order to make way for the next feature, and when bulbs are congested they can be lifted, their offsets detached, and replanted at greater distances. Generally, however, bulbs can be left undisturbed for many years, another characteristic that endears them to modern gardeners with little time to spare for demanding planting schemes.