Information and photos for the eight bulb varieties available.
Tulip pulchella “Persian Pearl”
Tulip turkestanica
Allium cowanii
Allium “Miami”
Daffodil / Narcissus hawera
Mixed crocus
Hyacinthoides Spanish Bluebell (pink)
Iris reticulata “Joyce”
Tulips: We are offering only species tulips because they naturalize and won’t fizzle out after a few years like the big hybrids. The small, single flowers are attractive to pollinators. They are very robust and will hold up well in wind and rain. Height is less than 15 cm. Yes, they’re attractive to squirrels but easier to “disguise” since there is less disturbed soil. We use acti-sol (hen manure top dressing) to deter the critters.
Tulipa pulchella “Persian Pearl” rich purple with deep green sepals and a yellow center. Unique.
Tulipa turkestanica White with a yellow center. Strappy leaves create a nice frame.
Alliums: Ornamental onions are very attractive to bees. They can be interplanted with the tulips to deter squirrels. They require full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Cut the foliage down when it dies back and turns brown.
Allium cowanii is an heirloom (since 1832) with single, pure white flowers that are very easy to fit into a colour scheme. It’s an early flowering type, quite rare, that makes a very long-lasting cut flower. Also called Naples garlic. Variable height: 30 – 40 cm / 12 – 16”
Allium “Miami” is a new introduction, thought to be a cross between A. atropurpureum and A. Schubertii. A tall-ish variety, it has half-round, dark purple umbels. You won’t find this at the garden centers. 90cm / 36”. Early summer.
Narcissus hawera: This heirloom variety (pre-1950) is a miniature triandrus-type daffodil with many delicate pale-yellow nodding bells per stem, each with a demitasse-shaped cup surrounded by swept-back petals. This adaptable daffodil can grow in dry areas, in pots, in full sun, and in partial shade. Nice scent. Squirrels ignore these. Height: 15cm / 6”
Mixed crocus. Super early bloom. Mixed colours. Will naturalize. Plant these in your lawn for a lovely spring surprise. They will bloom before the trees leaf out so they’re okay near deciduous trees. Request a minimum of 15 for the most impact.
Hyacinthoides / Spanish Bluebell. Also known as Wood Hyancinth, this plant prefers part shade but needs adequate moisture. It won’t tolerate root competition from trees. Our selection is a pink-flowered variety. It will naturalize nicely, spreading by seed. Tolerates juglone so your Black Walnut tree won’t bother it. To 45cm / 18”.
Iris reticulata “Joyce” This is a cute rock-garden type iris– short and very early. Half shade is okay. Not attractive to squirrels. Will form a slowly expanding clump. To 15cm / 6”. Fragrant. Light to mid-blue.
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