Our Guide To The Best Bulbs To Plant For Spring 2021
Country Life UK|September 09, 2020
With tens of thousands of bulbs to choose from, what should you order? Val Bourne selects the finest, chosen for looks, performance and reliability
Val Bourne
Our Guide To The Best Bulbs To Plant For Spring 2021

Narcissus Golden Echo

Why? This subtle, lemon-yellow and cream, April-flowering Highgrove favourite is highly scented, due to its Jonquil blood. The name Echo reflects a succession of two or three weather-resistant flowers per stem. Best of all, this robust variety returns year on year, in border or container. 15in

Partner with Scilla siberica, Muscari aucheri Blue Magic or Chionodoxa luciliae

Other scented narcissi to try Elka, Lancaster, Lieke and Sweet Love

Narcissus Cheerfulness AGM

Why? This classic, April-flowering florist’s favourite is a double Tazetta, so it needs a warm, well-drained position. The creamy flowers, touched with egg-yolk yellow and a touch of green, are richly scented, so it’s an ideal cutting-garden bulb and good in containers. It dwindles, so re-plant regularly. 16in

Partner with Tulipa Havran, Narcissus Starlight Sensation and Hyacinth multiflora Blue Pearl

Other double narcissi to try Yellow Cheerfulness, Sir Winston Churchill and Acropolis

Narcissus Sailboat AGM (1980)

Why? The swept-back flowers and flared lemon-yellow trumpet add a jaunty, carefree note to this dainty fragrant, creamy narcissus. It never looks glacial and returns well, unlike most whites. It’s mid to late season and able to withstand a warm spring day, as well as spring squalls. 12in

Partner with Any deep-blue muscari, Narcissus Lemon Sailboat and Tulipa Negrita

Other swept-back narcissi to try Mother Duck, Jack Snipe and Jenny

Tulipa Apricot Foxx

Esta historia es de la edición September 09, 2020 de Country Life UK.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición September 09, 2020 de Country Life UK.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE COUNTRY LIFE UKVer todo
Kitchen garden cook - Apples
Country Life UK

Kitchen garden cook - Apples

'Sweet and crisp, apples are the epitome of autumn flavour'

time-read
2 minutos  |
October 23, 2024
The original Mr Rochester
Country Life UK

The original Mr Rochester

Three classic houses in North Yorkshire have come to the market; the owner of one inspired Charlotte Brontë to write Jane Eyre

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 23, 2024
Get it write
Country Life UK

Get it write

Desks, once akin to instruments of torture for scribes, have become cherished repositories of memories and secrets. Matthew Dennison charts their evolution

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 23, 2024
'Sloes hath ben my food'
Country Life UK

'Sloes hath ben my food'

A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 23, 2024
Souvenirs of greatness
Country Life UK

Souvenirs of greatness

FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 23, 2024
Plants for plants' sake
Country Life UK

Plants for plants' sake

The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson

time-read
7 minutos  |
October 23, 2024
Capturing the castle
Country Life UK

Capturing the castle

Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 23, 2024
Nature's own cathedral
Country Life UK

Nature's own cathedral

Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 23, 2024
All that money could buy
Country Life UK

All that money could buy

A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages

time-read
8 minutos  |
October 23, 2024
In with the old
Country Life UK

In with the old

Diamonds are meant to sparkle in candlelight, but many now gather dust in jewellery boxes. To wear them today, we may need to reimagine them, as Hetty Lintell discovers with her grandmother's jewellery

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 23, 2024