Choosing perennial bulbs

Choosing Perennial Bulbs

Burford Garden Company has an excellent selection of perennial bulbs and roses, which we'll combine in large pots for floral interest in spring and summer. Spring bulbs provide something for the pollinators too, and will re-emerge each year, as long as you choose the right bulbs.

Combining Bulbs with Existing Plants

Roses don't like to be crowded out, so it's best to stick with smaller bulbs when you're planting them together.

• Small crocus bulbs don't take up much space and won't outshine your roses. Species types are the most elegant, but you can also choose bedding types. You'll need around 15 to 30, depending on the size of your pot.
• Alpine daffodils like 'Tête-à-Tête' have shorter foliage and won't crowd your emerging roses.
• Hyacinths are good for scent and make excellent cut flowers. As the bulbs are large, you only need about 5 per container. 'Woodstock' is one of my favourites.
• Taller narcissi are ideal if you want the flowers to come through the rose as they emerge, but plant far fewer of these at a time.
• Most tulips aren't perennial. But if you do want to plant tulips, look for Viridiflora types with the green stripe in the petals, like 'Artist'. These will come back year after year.
• Dutch irises flower later than other bulbs, around June. They will mix with early rose foliage and flower just as the first rose buds open. I like 'Lion King'.

Choosing Bulbs that Complement Roses

When deciding what to plant, consider what will complement your chosen roses best. Early spring colour provides some interest until the roses leaf out. After the bulbs flower and leaves die back, the rose foliage will camouflage the bulbs while they absorb nutrients for storage.

Shopping for Bulbs in Person

I always recommend shopping for bulbs in person if you can. This allows you to check how large, firm, and healthy they look. Always choose bulbs from reliable suppliers like Burford Garden Company. Do some research to come up with a list of options you like before you start shopping.

Plant Directory

• Crocus 'Cream Beauty'
• Narcissus 'Tête-à-Tête'
• Narcissus 'Edinburgh'
• Iris 'Lion King'
• Hyacinthus orientalis 'Woodstock'
• Tulipa 'Artist'