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bulbs---a-mission-in-itself

* Red Dahlia ** Red Dahlia * Posts: 694
in Plants

Hi all, we are looking to put a few bulbs here and there. My partner is looking at tulips but my farther has said that they don't flower year after year they dwindle. I'm wondering about hyacinths. 

 

anyone got any views, hints, tips, varieties. I have some alliums and I have daff's in the gravel. I'm looking for something to make sturdy impact in the boarders. But not sure what. I'm reluctant to purchase bulbs if they won't flower for more than 2 years. I love parrot tulips but as I say I have reservations. Please impart any tips or advice. Thank you 

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Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,172

    Only the small species tulips persist for me. Hyacinths survive for years and keep flowering, possibly not such big flowers but they suit me



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • waterbuttswaterbutts Posts: 1,214

    I have found that the smaller the bulb the greater the chance of it surviving and reproducing.. Maybe that's just me, though.

    I would recommend snowdrops and chionodoxa,muscari and tete a tete narcissus as great survivors. Other people may recommend other things such as crocus but I can't keep them going as the wildlife digs them up for breakfast.

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,720

    snowdrops and snowflakes and daffs multiply like crazy.

    squirrels eat all the crocuses. I don't persevere with them since a neighbour told me he planted 1000 all the way up his drive and 5 came up.

    tulips fade away after a few years.

    Hyacinths only look good the first year and then become a bit weedy looking. I keep them for the smell in spring.

    Chionodoxa look good and spread about a bit.

  • addictaddict Posts: 659

    Camassia. image Tall elegant last for ages so underused!

     

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,720

    camassia. Beautiful.expensive.  eaten by squirrelsimage

  • addictaddict Posts: 659

    Really FB? Never had that problem. Your squirrels must have different tastebuds!  image     

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,720

    They also love underripe apricots, camellia flowers and sweetcorn. Although last  year I got the sweetcorn. I borrowed a Jack Russell.  Jack Russell 1 . Squirrel 0image

  • addictaddict Posts: 659

    LOL how ruthless...like it image

  • chickychicky Posts: 10,382

    The little irises are nice and repeat well for me - as do fritillaries and muscari.  But my favourites are the "glory of the snow" (chinodoxa)

  • * Red Dahlia ** Red Dahlia * Posts: 694

    Thank you all. Is it best to lift and or feed bulbs to keep them going then. It seems like an expense to me if they will fade. And I won't be able to take seed or cuttings as insurance policy image

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