Bulbs for Woodlands

If you have trees in your garden, creating a naturalised woodland garden that gives the impression of an 'accidental' harmony between trees and flowers, can be very satisfying. The best bulbs to choose for a woodland garden can depend on the type of trees you have (deciduous or conifer, native or exotic) and the amount of shade they give to the ground beneath them. Here are some perennial favourites

1. Bluebell (Hyacinthoides-non-scripta) has sky-blue scented flowers from April - June. Ideal for a dry shady, woodland setting
2. Snowdrops ( Galanthus nivalis ) are one of the earliest flowering bulbs with white or green and white nodding flowers from February - March. Plant in a dry or damp shady area as part of a woodland
3. Daffodils (Narcissus) bears lightly scented yellow flowers in April and May and is ideal for a dry, shady woodland setting
4. Winter Aconite ( Eranthis hyemalis ) can rival the snowdrop for early appearances, with strong yellow flowers appearing between January and March. This bulb works best in dry shaded woodland and likes to be planted in leaf mould
5. Wood Anemone ( Anemone nemorosa ) has white star-like flowers between March and May.

To plant, put your bulbs on a tray and stand in the middle of the area you want to plant, then throw your arms in the air, holding onto the tray, and letting the bulbs fly out. Plant them where they land to give a ‘natural’ impression you couldn’t achieve with a week’s worth of planning!

Woodland photograph shows naturalised snowdrops bulbs in open spaces between mature trees, courtesy of Nagillum

 

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