Getting to know you... spring bulbs and rhizomes

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Dcr 726 asked whether we have any bulbs coming up in our new garden, so I went for a little wander with my camera. One of the things I love about bulbs is their diversity: I found these lurking down by the bog in almost total shade.

I assume that they are some form of bluebell – so I am crossing my fingers that they will be the lovely droopy English form rather than the more upright Spanish. I am in love with the scent of English bluebells and probably have to choose a bluebell wood as my idea of heaven!

These too were down in the bog and I would have had no idea what these were had I not brushed them with my hand whilst exploring: the stench of wild garlic coming off was indescribably strong so I am guessing that that is what they are. They are locally very common so it seems likely.

The yellowish hints on these are a feature of the camera I think. I dont remember thinking that they looked sickly. They look like hyacinths dont they but they were in the very shady part on the slope next to the bog, where I would not have thought that a hyacinth could flower. I guess I will have to wait and see.

Now this I have no idea about: I am guessing that it is a rhizome rather than a bulb and there are a number of very fibrous threads coming off it at ground level – looks rather thuggish but does not appear to have spread very far (yet?). It is growing in the warmest, sunniest part of the garden so I am hoping it is something nice. Let me know what you think and I’ll let you know who is right when the flowers come.

There are lots and lots of little crocuses, which I hope means that my garden is mouse free, though that is probably wishful thinking.

This is the front garden, are these scilla?

I was convinced when we moved in that the garden had no snowdrops in so I brought a big clump with me and dutifully split them up. Then of course I found the odd small patch hither and thither and my mother brought me another large clump this morning. Sadly they are all this single form, but it is quite delightful so I am not complaining.

Hmm- no introduction needed I guess. It will be nice to see what type of daffs they are though. I remember in the old garden being heavily pregnant in November, knowing that I would be loathe to get out into the garden in early March with a new baby and planting sack loads of daffs. What could be a better way of welcoming in the spring. I love them.

More scilla? – not sure. I am just as interested in the seedlings growing round the base. I have tried to weed but just dont know what to expect. These I think look like forget me not seedlings – but I shall be cursing myself in May if I have carefully thinned out the weaker weeds around something obnoxious.

Lovely way to spend half an hour exploring. Thanks Dcr 726 for the question.

• 7 Feb, 2010
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