Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2015 | Page 87

GARDENING IN THE GARDEN With Tina Hyde Getting the Spring Blues W hen I think of spring bulbs visions of tulips and daffodils pop into my head in all their vibrant glory chasing away the gloomy days of winter. Lovely as they are, yellow, orange and red are not the only colours to herald the spring although they do tend to dominate my consciousness and I have been reminding myself how many shades of blue can also be found in the spring garden. Other than hyacinths and the later flowering camassia, many of these bulbs tend to be small and more suited to being naturalised around the garden than used in containers. Anemone blanda once established will spread and form dainty drifts under spring flowering shrubs or trees; planted in a lawn it looks lovely especially under a flowering cherry, plant them in areas that can be left uncut until they’ve died back for the summer. Muscari, the grape hyacinths are tough and easy going and once established can be inclined to take over anywhere they are allowed to set seed. They’re ideal for awkward areas such as along the bottom of a hedge or wall where their enthusiasm can be restrained. Our native bluebells are a truly spectacular sight in their natural habitat in ancient deciduous woodlands and in the right garden they are lovely. However I find that in most gardens they either form lonely clumps which tend to be rather lost and disappointing, or if the conditions suit them they can take over and then you’re forever sticking a fork or spade into the bulbs. Unfortunately many of the bluebells that are sold commercially tend to be the much sturdier and less graceful Spanish variety which I try to avoid as they hybridise with the native species. Instead I tend to choose to grow Camassia, also known as Quamash which are part of the same family, the reason for this is that they’re much taller so they show up better in beds and borders. They originate from North America where they grow in damp fertile meadows; they’re generally hardy although like any other bulb they will rot if waterlogged. They’re much larger than bluebells and will make a good sized well behaved clump if they’re happy. They look particularly effective when planted with ornamental grasses in prairie style borders but make a good substantial display in a mixed border. An added bonus is that they also make a good cut flower, unlike our native bluebells which do not last well if cut. www.goilife.co.uk 87