At this time in the gardening year, it’s important to remember to re-pot dormant, spring flowering bulbs.
I have already attended to some special Narcissus as these are some of the first spring bulbs to start putting forth new roots.
Next, it is Lachenalias, tender bulbs hailing from South Africa. These are extremely useful for bringing some well-earned colour to the dark days of winter.
Most of these are small and take up little space. We use small terracotta flower pots and a gritty mix of loam for their compost.
With luck, each year when the pots are turned out, the bulbs will have increased in numbers making them useful gifts for fellow gardeners.
However, it is apparent that these are not popular with the gardening public, for not many nurserymen grow them today.
Visitors here ooh and aah about the curious flowers on Tropaeolum tricolor, these resemble a shoal of exotic fish, the three colours are a red base leading to to a purple mouth which opens to reveal a lime green throat, their fascination is obvious.
The real value to gardeners is that it is a winter grower that climbs a wigwam of sticks with its finely cut leaves and bursts into flower in March blooming for a good six weeks.
Not quite hardy enough to grow outside, or is it?
I have grown the pink flowered Tropaeolum pentaphyllum outside in a sheltered place for several years, so why not try T. tricolor when I have enough spare tubers.
With climate change becoming more obvious, I think the chances of success are favourable.
I laughed a few days ago, Ian was working in the garden when he came upon me planting out some late annuals, a rather fetching Love-Lies-Bleeding called coral fountain.
Still planting on August 4, he said with a smile.
However, we both agree that a few late flowering plants moved or planted when conditions are favourable can lift the garden beyond measure, lending an almost early summer freshness to the scene.
I haven’t finished yet either, I have some very blue plants of Salvia hormonium ‘Blue Denim’ to further add freshness!
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