Naturalising
Ipheion
Spring star flowers (Ipheion ‘Star Bright’) reliably spread into big colourful patches. These tough and forgiving European woodland bulbs look brilliant
mass-planted in semi-shade under deciduous trees. They may be sparse in the first season, but will improve each year.
Photo - photolibrary.com
Vase life
Freesias
These last well, with the bonus of fragrance. Slender stems carry a succession of tubular flowers, in either single or double forms. In the garden freesias
must have good drainage, and must be left to dry out when the foliage dies down.
Photo - photolibrary.com
Shade
Snowflakes
One of the few bulbs to perform well under trees, they tolerate root competition, naturalise well, and cope with both summer irrigation and summer dryness.
We like snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum) under white Yulan magnolias (Magnolia denudata) as they flower simultaneously in
late winter.
Photo - photolibrary.com
The budget
Sparaxis
At $12.50 for 50 bulbs, you can’t beat harlequin flowers (Sparaxis x tricolour). Plant in long drifts or big clumps to maximise the impact. These
are low-cost, low-care, long-term colour for spring, native to South Africa, so comfortable in our climate.
Photo - photolibrary.com
Fragrance
Hyacinths
These are the most fragrant of all the spring blooms, best planted in special ‘hyacinth’ vases on a windowsill, in pots, or in the front of the flower
bed. Plant 10–15cm deep, with the pointy end upwards. They make brilliant pot plants and can be brought indoors temporarily so you can enjoy their
perfume.
Photo - photolibrary.com
Pots
Solider boys
Old-fashioned flowers, soldier boys (Lachenalia aurea) are indestructible and therefore great in confined spaces. Another South African native
they have tubular flowers in terracotta shades of gold and orange. The foliage is deep green, often with maroon splotches.
Photo - photolibrary.com
Text: Linda Ross