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What is a bulb? |
| A flower bulb in essence contains everything (including a smaller version of the flower head) required to sprout and produce a flower in its first year. In the base part of the bulb, the leaves are forming and inside these is the flower bud. Surrounding all this are white scales which contain all the food the bulb will need to flower. From the base of the bulb (base plate), the roots develop which hold the bulb in place in the soil. In year one, all the bulb needs is to be planted, given a drink of water and left to get on with it. It is after flowering that the care and nutrients need to be supplied for future years of flowers. Differences between bulbs, tubers, corms and rhizomes If we want to be technical, a number of our popular flowers are not actually produced from bulbs. Crocuses and gladioli for instance are in fact corms, whilst dahlias and begonias are tubers. The differences between these are very slight indeed. All of these do provide the storage and food source to start the growing process and produce a flower. Bulbs tend to be rounder and have a pointed nose and a base plate, whilst corms tend to be flatter in shape rather than round. Tubers and roots are quite different from bulbs and corms; they do not really have a protective skin like bulbs and in fact come in many sizes and shapes. From our point of view, we believe that the term “bulb” is commonly applied to mean any plant which has a storage system contained within it. Spring Flowering bulbs These bulbs are planted from August to December and flower from January to May. In general they are hardier than the summer varieties. Spring flowering bulbs are able to cope with the cold winter months and many such as daffodils, crocus and alliums can be left undisturbed each year. Please note our page on naturalising bulbs or select naturalising on our menu option. Summer flowering bulbs These bulbs in general are more tender that their spring counterparts and often will not survive the coldest of winters. The exceptions to this are lilies which can be left undisturbed to flower each year. Other main groups such as dahlias, begonias and cannas will need to be dug up and stored after flowering in a frost free shed or building. General Bulbs really do add colour to your garden and patio areas. Whether planted directly into the garden or grown in containers, when planned they will provide the first signs of spring (snowdrops or crocus) and flower through until the frosts of winter (dahlias and begonias). Easy to grow and very satisfying. |
