There is hardly any other bulb that will yield so much beauty in the garden from so little work and worry on the part of the gardener. Provided you plant them at the right time of the year gorgeous flowers are a sure thing and your show will be spectacular!

We are lucky enough to have sufficient varieties of bulbs that will appeal to changing trends and styles amongst the discerning gardener. That is why it is very important to know exactly what theme or colour trend you want to follow in spring 2007 before you go bulb shopping.

It takes many months of careful planning to plan a Broadway show and in exactly the same way you need to plan your spring and summer bulb flower production. I warn you not to arrive and find yourself immersed with bulb packets and leaving you more confused as you notice something different.

To put it simply, keep your bulb planting simple.

There are some wonderful bulbs indigenous to South Africa and these are often neglected and come in last in favour of the European flower bulbs like daffodils and tulips. This year why not plan an Indigenous show of bulbs.

Freesias

Mixture of colours that are packaged separately that will make it ideal for single colour plantings. Colours range from white, yellow, red, lilac and pink.

  • Planting Time: April through to the end of May.

  • Flowering Time: August through to September.

    • Ixias

    A mixture of strong colours including red and yellow.

  • Planting Time: April through to the end of May.

  • Flowering Time: From September to October.

    • Ornithogalum, (Chincherinchee)
    GARDENING GUIDE

    This article appears courtesy of GardenShop.

    Lovely indigenous bulb, which is fabulous to use as a cut flower.

  • Planting time: April through to May.

  • Flowering time: From October to November.

    • Sparaxis

    Star-shaped flowers in a vibrant selection of colours.

  • Planting Time: April through to May.

  • Flowering Time: September.