Oh So Easy

Nothing heralds spring like bulbs. Here’s a selection of indigenous and exotic stunners that’ll brighten up your garden with the least amount of fuss.

- Connall Oosterbroek

The best time to plant bulbs is when the temperature of the soil drops to below 10°C, but for those who don’t actually measure their soil temperature, bulb experts recommend planting bulbs after Easter and before the end of May.

INDIGENOUS BULBS

FREESIAS 

Freesias are a favourite with florists. They come in a wide variety of colours, and the glorious scent they exude sweetens any room. Grown in light dappled sunlight or semi-shade, they lend a delightful fragrance to spring evenings, especially if they’re grown in a courtyard where their perfume can be trapped.

CHINCHERINCHEES

Chincherinchees produce a cluster of star-shaped white blooms. Carried on a ‘pyramid’ at the top of a bare, 50cm-long stalk, they make particularly long-lasting cut flowers. They are one of the last bulbs to flower, usually through October. They multiply quickly from offsets, so lift them every few years when dormant and divide them.

TRITONIAS