Naturalising bulbs - Growing bulbs the easy way

I can't help myself, I'm forever looking at plants where ever they grow. I find it interesting to compare the landsacpe around me, either urban or rural, and see if it compares to my garden. Using nature as a constant source of inspiration for future planting ideas. I love observing what grows naturally and applying the principles of its habitat to my own space.

Read my blog on my trip to Cornwall and discover how it inspired me to undertake some long-term projects.

One of the wonderful things about our landscape is the space we allow for plants and flowers to naturalise. Naturalising simply means plants that spread naturally, increasing in numbers until there's a thick carpet of blooms. 

Naturalising is great for our environment

I've noticed more urban verges, roundabouts and roadsides being left to grow wild. One of my favourite scenes is in Lincolnshire, where daffodils line the sides of the A17 for miles on end. Or taking a stroll through an old English wood in April to find a carpet of English bluebells. Also visiting one of our many heritage estates in March to see the endless sprawl of snowdrops. This natural approach is a great way to allow pollinators to travel from garden to garden or field to field, to feed and take refuge. 

What does this mean for your garden?

Naturalising bulbs are the perfect companion for low-maintenance gardeners. Plant them once and enjoy the benefits each spring without any extra effort. Imagine your garden filled with daffodils, muscari, snowdrops, crocus, and many more.

Typically, the best naturalisers are woodland bulbs that thrive in those challenging shady areas of the garden.

It won’t happen overnight

Some bulbs are prolific naturalisers, spreading by bulb division and seeds. It can take up to six years for a seed to turn into a flowering bulb, but those that divide by bulbs will form clumps, creating small islands of flowers. If you have a large area to fill, encourage naturalisation by transplanting these clumps around your garden in late spring.

Here are our favourite naturalising bulbs

What about Invasive Plants?

Invasive plants are plants that naturalise and dominate other plants. It could be said that muscari or cyclamen can be invasive but they are very short lived and wont make too much impact on your garden. However plants like Allium Triquetrum can quickly over take a whole garden bed and are exrremely hard to get rid of. We dont sell invasive species.