Bulbs for newbies

christinarleon

hi I have just finished a community garden that I did by myself and would love to hear everyone suggestions on what bulbs to plant this month to get us started for next year. 

I have a very very large raised bed and a load of large planters (as the land was 2 feet of compacted hardcore with asbestos under that) and a shaded rockery and small shaded bed. I live on the west of Scotland. 

Some pictures showing the land at the start of the year (it's taken me three years to level it off as it was waste land before) and some pictures during, just got some free fencing up at the end ????

josusa47

Congratulations on a big piece of work well done, it looks great. I wouldn't bother with hyacinths or tulips as they give up after a couple of years.  The exceptions are the species tulips which are closer to the wild types, and longer lived. I don't grow tall daffodils as they get flattened by the wind.  I've planted lots of tete-a-tete which are smaller, I've found them reliable.  As I live in a milder climate than you, I don't feel qualified to suggest anything else.

Fairygirl

All the suggestions by Josusa will be fine there Christina 

The reticulata Irises are also lovely for earlier in the year, but are also shorter lived and diminish after a couple of years. They're good in pots so that you can alter the contents if you want something which isn't permanent.

The species tulips are terrific. You can plant them with some of the taller daffs/narcissus and their foliage will hide they tulip foliage as they emerge. Ideally, some perennials or deciduous shrubs with daffs is a better idea, as they give support to the bulbs, and disguise the dying foliage.

Crocus, snowdrops, grape hyacinths (although they can spread quite a bit) will all be fine. It depends on the soil and aspect too - moist for the snowdrops, although it's not really a problem here 

Bit of sun for the crocus, and shade is best for the snowdrops. Sun for the tulips and anything is fine for daffs/narcissus, although some of the fancier narcissus appreciate a lighter spot.

If you're planting under the trees, you may need to experiment a bit. Depends whether that's the direction the rain comes from. I can grow lots of things under my conifers as enough rain gets through. 

For next summer - alliums are great for the sunnier, well drained spots. There are loads to choose from. It's a good idea to take a look at some of the specialist online suppliers like Avon and Peter Nyssen. Only probelm is - it's easy to get carried away  

These are all pretty foolproof and readily available , so no reason not to get planting!

christinarleon

Oh my Josusa and Fairygirl thank you so much, this has made me quite excited!!! 

now I have a start on things to look up thank you! 

Nanny Beach

Most of the alluims like hot,dry conditions, not sure if you have access Homebase have big bags of mixed daffs for a fiver at the moment, because it looks like you have spent a great deal of money, it looks wonderful, who is going to use the space, are you a gardener/designer?  All the suggestions on here are great, well done that Fairygirl, she is ace.

Fairygirl

Wouldn't go that far NannyB....

But very kind of you  

Stick with the straightforward stuff to begin with Christina - then, when you get the bug big time, you can get more adventurous!  

If you want ideas for specific areas, you can always come back and ask anyway. There will be lots of further suggestions  

B3

Thalia is a lovely pure white daffodil with multiple heads. It doesn't get too high and should last a few years.