It’s not too late to add some new plants to your garden this year, as it could be a great way to prepare for next summer’s blooming season – even if you have a shady garden
Alice Sjoberg Social News Reporter
06:22, 15 Nov 2025Updated 07:48, 15 Nov 2025
The garden expert is urging people to sow one bulb in November (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
While gardens across the country are preparing for the colder months ahead, with numerous plants beginning their winter rest period, there’s still time to plant certain varieties that will flourish beautifully come spring and summer.
For those with gardens lacking in sunlight, cultivating thriving blooms can seem like a daunting challenge, given that most plants and bulbs depend on sunshine for growth. But one gardening expert is now encouraging people to plant a particular bulb this November, which will bring colourful flowers to shaded areas next summer.
Taking to TikTok, Lee Bestall, known as ‘the Northern Designer’, has shared there’s still an opportunity to introduce new plants to gardens this year, offering excellent preparation for next summer’s flowering period.
In his video, he demonstrated planting a specific bulb variety into his shaded garden border, aiming to generate attractive blooms for the following year.
“Today, I’m planting into this partially shaded boarder,” he explained, disclosing he was planting Allium siculum bulbs, commonly called the Honey Lily.
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He continued by noting these plants also serve as a natural deterrent against squirrels and rabbits, as the creatures dislike the bulb’s onion-like aroma, stemming from its distant connection to the onion family.
Lee added that given the lateness of the planting season, gardeners should perform one straightforward check on each bulb prior to planting. Simply give them a gentle squeeze to ensure they remain firm, and check that no mould has developed on them.
“Pop a few into your planters or borders now with your trusty dibber, forget about them over winter, and then, six months later, you’ll be greeted with elegant, drooping bells in soft tones of cream, plum, and green,” he told his viewers in the caption.
The bulbs ought to be planted approximately 10 centimetres deep in the soil, spaced roughly 15 centimetres apart from one another.
“The great thing with these is that they will flower longer in the semi-shade, which not many plants and bulbs do at that time of the year,” Lee said.
He also went on to encourage people to discreetly plant the bulbs in the gardens of friends and relatives so they receive a pleasant surprise when summer arrives.
The guru then added in the caption of the post: “So yes, not all bulbs demand full sun and a Mediterranean climate. The Honey Lily is here to prove that even the shady corners of the garden can put on a show.”
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