Yes, now is the time to start thinking about spring and which spring flowering bulbs you want in the garden. Bulbs are now in stock and even more are due to arrive shortly. Get them planted before November to ensure your garden looks perfect in the spring. We have carefully selected a range of bulbs to provide pollinators with a good source of pollen and nectar from as early in the year as possible. Click here for more Autumn gardenng advice.
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Spring flowering bulbs for bees and other pollinators
Despite not many flowers, bees and pollinators emerge early in spring. Spring flowering bulbs provide a valuable source of pollen and nectar, early in the year. Alliums, Crocus, Fritillaries, Hyacinths, Iris, and Muscari are some of the best bulbs to plant for bees. These bulbs can be planted in the border, the lawn, or in patio containers.
Alliums
The drumstick blooms of Alliums are made up of many tiny star shaped flowers. They are laden with pollen and nectar which makes them irresistable to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Alliums typically flower from May and come in an array of colours and shapes.
Look out for Allium ‘Purple Sensation’, ‘Gladiator’, ‘Globe Master’, ‘Schubertii’, ‘Christophii’, and Schoenoprasum.
Crocus
Crocus are one of the first bulbs to appear in late winter and early spring. They are perfect for planting in the lawn or into bowls on the patio table. Crocus grow to around 15cm tall depending on variety. Crocus are ideal for growing in a bright spot or dappled shade. Crocus come in shades of blue, purple, pink, yellow, orange, and white.
Snake-head Fritillaria
Snakes-head Fritillaria is a welcome sight in early spring. Burgundy or white checker patterned flowers on slender stems that can reach around 25cm tall. They are ideal for growing in a woodland garden where you can dot them throughout the lawn or a slightly shaded border. Fritillaria Imperialaris is also great for bees. They have robust stems that are crowned with orange blooms. Grows to 1m in height. Perfect in a sunny border or patio containers. Flowers from late spring.
Iris reticulata
Iris reticulata or Netted Iris are dwarf species growing to just 15cm tall. They are ideal for planting in a woodland design or into shallow pots in the home or on the patio. They come in shades of blue, purple, and white. The reflexed petals expose a yellow throat. They are easy to grow in the sun or the shade. They can be grown directly in decorative indoor pots or glass containers with the use of bulb fibre.
Muscari
Known as Grape Hyacinths. These bulbs are perfect for growing in containers or the border. They are rich in nectar and that makes them highly attractive to bees. Muscari are easy to grow in almost any situation and will happily spread into clumps as they mature.
Muscari ‘Ocean Magic’, ‘Helena’, ‘Latifolium’, ‘Mountain Lady’, and ‘White Magic’ are now available.
Species Narcissus
These varieties of Narcissus are small growing and native to Europe. They are ideal for growing in and around the lawn for a more natural feel. They also look great in a woodland planting sceme or in bowls on the patio.
Tete a Tete, Double Tete a Tete, Minnow, W.P Milner, February Gold, Jetfire, Kendron, Yellow Ocean and Sun disc are available.
Tulips
You will find an extensive range of Tulips available at The Secret Garden Centre. Tulip Queen of the night, Limosuine, Red riding hood, Rasta parrot, Black parrot, Don Quichote, Daydream, and Ballerina are just a few of the varieties currently available.
Tulips tend to be later flowering then Narcissus and earlier than Alliums. Planting a mixture of all three into large patio containers will give the patio lots of blooms throughout the spring. The RHS has some great tips for growing bulbs in containers here.
1.5kg sacks of Daffodils £6.99 each
Narcissus ‘Lothario’
‘Lothario’ is a large-cupped Daffodil with marigold yellow petals and an orange trumpet. The flowers are borne on strong and sturdy stems which makes them particularly good for growing in large clumps in the border. Growing to 35cm tall and flowering from March.
Narcissus ‘Camelot’
‘Camelot’ is a classic looking Daffodil with buttery yellow outer petals and trumpet. The large-cupped blooms are ideal for use as a cut flower. Strong and sturdy stems make them ideal for growing ing swaths through the lawn. Growing to 40cm talls and flowering from March.
