Bulbs

Question 1

Iris germanica

bearded iris

Answer 1

Border bulb, summer (May, June)

evergreen perennial with grey-green leaves. Flowers have both bluish-violet standards and falls, with yellow beards in late spring

Ideal in border at the base of a sunny wall

h 0.5 - 1.0m, s 0.1 - 0.5m

well-drained or sharply drained neutral or slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Ideal at the base of a sunny wall

Question 2

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’

Answer 2

Border, corms, summer

perennial forming a clump of narrow, erect, mid-green, pleated leaves with sprays of vivid red flowers on stems to 1.2m in height

Flower border, cottage/informal garden, cut flowers

h 1.0 - 1.5m, s 0.1 - 0.5m

moderately fertile, humus-rich soil that is moist but well-drained. Thrives in sun or partial shade.

Question 3

Dahlia ‘‘Bishop of Llandaff’

Answer 3

Tuber, border, container

herbaceous perennial to 1m in height, with deep blackish-red foliage and semi-double brilliant red flowers 6cm in width

Flower border, cottage/informal garden, cut flowers

h 0.5 - 1.0m, s 0.1 - 0.5m

fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, enriched with organic matter and general purpose fertiliser, in full sun.

Question 4

Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’

Answer 4

Bulb, naturalising, containers, winter/spring

dwarf daffodil to 20cm tall, with 1-3 bright yellow flowers 5-6cm wide in early spring

h 0.1 - 0.5cm, s 0 - 0.1cm

Will tolerate most soils but prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil that is constantly moist during the growing season. Full sun, part shade

Question 5

Crocus vernus

spring crocus

Answer 5

Corm, border, naturalising, spring flowering

spring- to early-summer-flowering corm, good for naturalising in grass. Foliage is narrow and dark green, starting upright then spreading, and the goblet-shaped flowers may be white or shades of purple

h <10cm, s <10cm

well-drained soil in full sun, planting 5-6cm deep in late summer or autumn. If naturalised in grass delay mowing until leaves have died back

Question 6

Galanthus nivalis

common snowdrop

Answer 6

Bulb, naturalising, containers, winter

perennial to 15cm, with narrow, grey-green leaves and solitary, nodding, fragrant white flowers 2.5cm in length, the inner segments marked with green at the tip

h 0.1 - 0.5cm, s <10cm

Part shade in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer.

Question 7

Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Delft Blue’

Answer 7

Bulb, spring interest, container, border

bulbous perennial to 30cm in height, with glossy green leaves and shapely spike-like racemes of fragrant, soft mid-blue flowers in spring

h 0.1 - 0.5m, s <10cm

moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade

Question 8

Tulipa clusiana ‘Peppermintstick’

Answer 8

Bulb, naturalising, containers, spring flowering

small hybrid tulip, to 30cm tall, with slender, upright leaves and narrow, pointed flowers which are white with a cerise triangle on the outer tepals, dark at the base. Colour inside is white with a dark, bluish centre. Mid spring

h 0.1 - 0.5m, s <10cm

fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Full sun

Question 9

Nerine bowdenii

Answer 9

Bulb, autumn flowering, border, container

bulbous perennial to 50cm,

strap-shaped rich green leaves preceded by erect stems bearing lily-like pink flowers 6-8cm in width, with wavy, recurved segments

Plant in early spring in a moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.

Question 10

Cyclamen hederifolium

ivy-leaved cyclamen

Answer 10

Tuber, autumn flowering, border, naturalising

perennial to 12cm, with somewhat ivy-shaped leaves patterned with silvery-green, and pink, sometimes fragrant, flowers 2.5cm in width, darker around the mouth, opening before or with the leaves

Underplanting of trees/hedgerow

moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in part shade.