How Do I Use Spring Bulbs To Add Some Colour Beneath My Deciduous Trees And Shrubs
Spring bulbs inject a shot of colour under deciduous trees and shrubs
Why not perk up a cheerless area under deciduous trees in the spring with some colourful bulbs. Once the trees come into leaf and the canopy closes over it can become too dark for plants to produce flowers so spring is the best time to have a bit of colour in a woodland garden. If you don’t have a woodland in which to plant these little gems they can be planted under deciduous shrubs, but not under conifers as the soil under these trees is usually too dry and completely depleted of nutrients.
Most of these bulbs, corms or tubers are planted as dry bulbs in autumn or ‘in the green’ in spring. Buying them as dry bulbs in autumn is usually quite a lot cheaper than buying them growing in spring, but buying them ‘in the green’ can lead to a better success rate.
Most of the bulbs require a nice humus rich, well-drained soil but some need it fairly dry so extra grit must be added to the planting hole. If the planting position is likely to become sodden then don’t plant as the bulbs will just rot. Make sure the leaves are left to go yellow before you remove them, as the bulbs need them to photosynthesise and build up next years flower.
Aconites (Eranthis hyemalis)
- Flowers: small yellow
- Height: 10cm (4”)
- Conditions: humus rich, well-drained
Anemone blanda
- Flowers: pink, blue or white; delicate, daisy-like
- Height: 10 – 15cm (4 – 6”)
- Conditions: humus rich, well-drained
Bluebell, English (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
- Flowers: blue, delicate, nodding
- Height: 30cm (12”)
- Conditions: humus rich, well-drained
Daffodils and narcissi
- Flowers: orange through to white, pink trumpet
- Height: 15cm – 45cm (6 – 18”)
- Conditions: humus rich, well-drained
- Recommend the small wild daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus for the woodland garden
Dog’s Tooth Violet (Erythronium)
- Flowers: yellow or pink
- Height: 25 – 30cm (10 – 12”)
- Conditions: humus rich, well-drained
Fritillaria michailovskyi
- Flowers: burgundy with gold edge, bell-shaped
- Height: 15 – 20cm (6 – 8”)
- Conditions: really well-drained, add grit to the planting hole
- Bulbs need careful handling as quite fragile
Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)
- Flowers: blue stars with white centre
- Height: 10cm (4”)
- Conditions: really well-drained, add grit to the planting hole
Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
- Flower: white with green markings
- Height: 10 – 15cm (4 – 6”)
- Conditions: humus rich, well-drained
- Sometimes establishes better bought ‘in the green’
Snowdrop, Giant (Galanthus elwesii)
- Flower: white with green markings
- Height: 30 – 38cm (12 – 18”)
- Conditions: humus rich, well-drained
- Sometimes establishes better bought ‘in the green’
Toad Lily, Wake Robin (Trillium cuneatum)
- Flower: maroon, white
- Height: 25 – 30cm (10 – 12”)
- Conditions: humus rich, well-drained, prefers alkaline soil
Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)
- Flowers: white
- Height: 25cm (10”)
- Conditions: humus rich, well-drained
- Cook with the leaves, can become invasive
For more information, hints and tips on growing spring plants and bulbs just get in touch with our gardening team here in store in the Outdoor Plant department.
How to: How Do I Use Spring Bulbs To Add Some Colour Beneath My Deciduous Trees And Shrubs
This guide shows you how to add some spring colour to a tricky semi shaded dry area under deciduous trees and shrubs
How to choose your plants
Most of the spring flowers which appear in spring come in the form of bulbs, corms or tubers which start to appear in the dry form in garden centres around mid-August. Some of these plants are easier and establish better if you buy them 'in the green', which are a growing plant in the spring or just after they have flowered.
Preparing the ground
Not many bulbs like a damp, sodden growing medium so if the area is liable to sitting in water over the winter don't plant bulbs, corms or tubers as they will just rot. Fortunately most areas underneath shrubs and trees tend to be drier so all that may be needed is the addition of some humus or grit if the soil is a little heavy.
When to plant
Dry bulbs, corms and tubers can be planted in autumn and those bought as growing plants must be planted as soon as you buy them in the spring.