Other Flower Bulbs & Tubers

Other flower bulbs & tubers – more info

There are so many flower bulbs and tubers to choose from. Enjoy blooms all through the year by carefully planting a good mix of spring, summer and autumn-flowering bulbs. Not sure which to choose? We’ve answered some frequently asked questions about flower bulbs and tubers to help you decide.

Which flower bulbs and tubers are native in the UK?

Lily of the valley is a lovely native to the UK. The strongly scented tiny blooms hang from small green stems like a series of bells. This is a self-spreader that is ideal for under trees, against tall hedges or a shady spot.

What kind of flower bulbs multiply?

There are quite a few flower bulbs that multiply in the garden. Fritillaria meleagris is one such bulb, naturalising in shady damp meadows that mimic their native UK habitat. Naturalised fritillary bulbs are a special sight in spring when the checkerboard, nodding blooms pop up through meadow grass.

Which bulbs and tubers grow well together?

Group woodland bulbs and tubers together. Galanthus, fritillaria and muscari bulbs all suit dappled, shady beds where they can lean back and spread. Bridge the gap between spring and summer bulbs with ranunculus. These bulbs flower at the juncture of spring and summer with sought-after flowers popular with florists.

Top five bulbs and tubers for cut flowers

Nerine bulbs are so valuable in autumn. These incredible pink blooms pop up in beds and borders just when the rest of the garden is winding down, providing a fresh source of flowers for the house when you need it most. These iris-like blooms top extra long stems too, so are very well suited to a large vase.

In spring, the best bulbs for cut flowers are daffodils. With lots of variation available, daffodils are worth planting in rows if you have the space to provide lots of blooms to cut and enjoy in the house. Choose tulip varieties with strong stems to add your spring bouquet. Tulips are also an excellent source of bold block colours. In summer, enjoy cutting tall Dutch iris flowers on their long stems, and for scent, lilies are the winner. Plant oriental varieties to enjoy the unfurling blooms and iconic perfume.