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This is a listing of rare or new items which are not included in our paper lists.

This can be because they are:

 ● newly-stocked,
 ● newly-lifted,
 ● available in numbers too small to allow us to put them in our paper lists.

There is no need to check if we still have them - they are only available online and the shop counts the sales and numbers available. If they are listed here, they are in stock.

Once they are gone, they are gone!

Before the issue of our new catalogue we have a few shelves to clear. Some unplanted items are available in very small numbers at a reduced price until we plant them or they sell out. Most stocks in this section consist of only 2 or 3 bulbs or corms at most, some are singletons.

Given care and attention these will establish well. However they are not of the same quality that you might expect at the start of the season and planting time.

There is a greater risk of not establishing late-planted bulbs. We offer notes and helpful tips and tricks to help establish late-planted bulbs in our members area, after you log-in. These details are NOT included with the parcels, there is no paper version, it is a website resource, available to our members only.

Stocks are monitored daily and the shop will let you buy as many as we have left. If they are showing as available, then we still have them for sale.

The genus Acis was defined in 1807 by Salisbury. 80 years later it was lumped into Leucojum and remained there for many years. Generations of gardeners came to know species all as Leucojum. In 2004 an extensive study by Lledo and co-workers* concluded that Acis was after all distinct from Leucojum and separated them again.

Leucojum now comprises just two species, aestivum and vernum, closely related to Galanthus. The 10 smaller species with narrow, thread-like leaves, solid (not hollow) flower stems and flowers without green markings are now Acis.

Some species moved from Leucojum to Acis have slight name changes, usually just a gender agreement, thus Leucojum roseum becomes Acis rosea etc. There has been a rethink of Greek plants formerly ascribed to L. valentinum.

*Lledo, Davis, Crespo, Chase and Fay. "Phylogenetic analysis of Leucojum and Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae) based on plastid matK and nuclear ribosomal spacer (ITS) DNA sequences and morphology". Plant Systematics and Evolution, July 2004.

Order (early) from Autumn list only.

Choice, herbaceous perennials for early Spring flowering. These flower through the melting snows of their homelands, which range from the Pyrenees to Japan.

Adonis like a rich, humus-rich soil which is damp, to transiently wet, in Spring. At the same time, good drainage is essential, and it is the balance between sufficient water and good drainage that is the key to success.

Establishment is slow and, like many Ranunculaceae, they resent root disturbance and will often sulk for a year or two after transplanting. This is when patience really is a virtue, they need to be planted and LEFT ALONE. The main cause of loss is 'finger blight'. This is an old scourge, re-invented in this modern, instant-everything age. It is fatal to Adonis and it is brought on by poking about with a finger 'carefully, just to see how they are doing'.

We do our best to list Adonis as early as we can, usually about October so that you can get them as soon as possible. They start growth VERY early in Spring and some may not be available, or may have flowered already, after Jan-Feb.

Order from (late) Autumn and (early) Spring lists.

Allium is a huge and very diverse genus spread across the whole of the Northern Hemisphere. It contains all sorts of species from the large to the dwarf, from bog plants to desert species.

In the garden, with so many species to choose from, it is difficult to know what to grow and offer. We list a personal selection of those we consider good or garden worthy. We base this on ease of growth, attractive appearance, good colour and scent.

We exclude any species that make too much seed and too many seedlings, and those which make bulbils in their flowers heads, or too many offsets. Those which are generally over vigorous or too free with their offsets can be found in your local garden centre. That is why they can be sold by the hundred.

The genus is too large to give any general cultural advice, other than to say that the species offered grow well here in ordinary, well-drained garden soil, in full sun. Those that do not are noted individually.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

Amarcrinum is a hybrid genus between Amaryllis and Crinum. There are several variations possible and many species of Crinum can be combined with either of the two species of Amaryllis to produce hybrids with different scientific names.

In practice almost all the hybrids have been between Crinum powellii and Amaryllis belladonna. This combination and only this particular one - makes A. memoria-corsii.

This bulbous garden perennial has wide, deep green, tough, leathery, strap-shaped leaves to 60cm long. These are always decorative and never seem to be in bad condition! The flower colour and exact growth habit will, of course, will vary depending on which parents have been used.

The open-trumpet flowers are very beautiful and are usually in shades of rose pink and are nicely scented. They make a stunning, long-lasting display in late summer.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

A lovely bigeneric hybrid (cross between two genera) made in cultivation from two plants both native to South African - Nerine bowdenii and Amaryllis belladonna.

This has the basic form of Nerine enhanced by larger broader petals, darker colouring and a more hemispherical flower head resulting from the influence of the second parent.

Very garden worthy and making a fabulous display from early Autumn onwards to as late as November.

Amaryllis is a genus of just two species from South Africa - A. belladonna and the phenomenally rare A. paradisicola, limited to Namaquland. The name Amaryllis has been much confused with Hippeastrum and countless years of arguement has species as much time. In short, the two African plants are Amaryllis and all of the S. American species are Hippeastrum. Garden hybrids of A. belladonna with Brunsvigia, Crinum and Nerine are all known.

For belladonna, choose a sunny, well-drained location. Dig a 30cm deep hole and enrich the soil with organic matter then replace 20cm of soil, plant 10-15cm apart, cover and leave. They perform best in dryish soils and resent disturbance - fuss them and they will not flower. Although dense clumps can be de-congested when essential. A. paradiscicola needs different conditions and is NOT a garden plant in any way.

Amaryllis belladonna has not been considered fully hardy throughout the UK, but they grow and flower outside, unprotected, here in Wrexham.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

This genus comprises five or so species in Southern Africa. The genus has been swollen by a recent merger with Cybistetes and the transfer in of Crinum nerinoides.

Ammocharis are frost-tender, summer-growing bulbs for cultivation under glass in the UK. They are not difficult in almost any sandy, or well-drained, soil-based compost but the bigger species really need a large root run to do well. This allows the searching root system adequate resources of food and water.

In time they develop into large bulbs, clothed with thick, horny scales of insulation formed by dead leaf sheaths (these are sharp and you will need to watch your fingers if you decide to clean them off, they can penetrate gloves!).

As with almost all Amaryllidaceae they sulk after flowering, especially as they have to re-establish their root system, please be patient, however this will give you time to prepare for the spectacular display that the larger species make.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

The bulk of the species that we offer are dwarf, creeping or tuberous species for garden growth with flowering in March and April.

They like moist leafy soils in dappled or light shade; a fruit tree or small shrub is enough. They will tolerate some sun and seasonal dryness, and grow in chalk or acid soils.

A. apennina and A. blanda grow from a tuber like a small nut but most grow from a small twig-like rhizome, which may not always look much when you get it - that is just how the plants are. These should be planted at once on receipt.

Spring planted rhizomes may sulk for an entire season, making no above ground growth, or dying back quickly, while they establish a root system. They usually come up full of vigour the following year as long as they have not be damaged by an exploratory finger checking their welfare!

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

The species that we offer are hardy plants for the open garden. They will almost all be happy in light, partial or dappled shade. Exceptions are noted.

Soil structure is important for long term success and they enjoy a fertile garden soil with an open porous structure that you can aid by incorporating plenty of organic matter. Lime or acid is acceptable preferably but drainage must be good. Again, organic matter worked in will create the correct open, airy, well-drained, soil structure. Provide a well drained soil and do not bother with elaborate pockets of gravel below the tuber, which simply creates a sump.

Plant with the rounded side of the tubers facing down, the small, sharp shoot pointing up and the top of the tuber 5-10cm below the soil surface.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

Although there are a few species in this genus, the best is the well-known 'Mouse Plant', the delight both of children and anyone older with a sense of humour. The 'Friars Cowl' is another species more frequently seen.

Arisarum grow from small, slender rhizomes. These are almost always in either root or shoot growth, but can be safely moved at most times. Plant in a well-drained, sunny or slightly shaded spot with humus in the soil and leave them to increase.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

Arum is an old world genus found from western Europe, right across central Europe and central Asia as far east as Afghanistan. To the south it reaches North Africa and Israel. The genus is instantly recognisable, despite varying in colour from pale lime green through yellow, rusty red, deep purple and black.

Cultivation is simple in a well-drained loam in sun or very light shade. Many leaf up in the autumn and overwinter in the green state, so siting is worth thinking about carefully in cold areas.

Those offered are almost all hardy here, out in the garden and in time they can become very deep seated and they can sit below freezing level, making them hardy even in very cold areas. As with most Aroids they are not cold hardy, in pots where they can freeze through.

Order from Autumn list only.

Dwarf spring flowering bulbs mostly from the Mediterranean region but they spread across Asia Minor and reach Afghanistan also.

They make bulbs like small hyacrinths, and as a rule the prostrate foliage consists of 4-6 narrow leaves. These are present with the March and April flowers which are usually blue, purple, white or a combination of these, each bell, again like a small hyacinth being held on a short flower stalk.

Cultivation is in a well drained, fertile, loam soil in a sunny spot, or in a pot under glass if you wish early flowering, they are however totally hardy here.

Order from Autumn list only.

A curious genus of Aroids spread from Portugal and Morocco as far east as Afghanistan. They are related to Arum but Biarum leaves lack lobes at the base and so are spear-shaped; Arum has lobed, arrow-head shaped leaves. Biarum have whitish berries each with one seed, Arum have 2-6 seeds per red berry.

Most are autumn flowering but they can bloom in April (B. spruneri), July (B. ditschianum), and October (B. davisii and B. marmarisense). The inflorescence is similar to Arum but is on a short stem, close to ground level. Some are pungently smelly for the first day after opening when the female flowers are fertile. By the second day the smell eases and the male flowers become fertile. Some are unscented, a few are delightfully perfumed.

All of the species that we offer follow a Mediterranean pattern of growth. All are dormant over the summer months. They can be easily grown in a soil-based compost. Keep dry in summer, growth starts in autumn. Most don't like cold. but tenuifolium can be grown outside in favourable parts of the UK. We have overwintered marmarisense down to -10°C without harm, but in general I prefer pots in a frost-free glasshouse, or bedded out in the same house.

Order from Autumn list only.

Bongardia is a monotypic genus - this means that there is just one species in the whole genus, Bongardia chrysogonum.

It is related to Gymnospermium and is one of a delightful group of tuberous plants within the Berberidaceae.

Early in spring it emerges with ornamental leaves each marked with a small red-purple spot at the base, and then, later the flower spike unfurls to reveal bright yellow flowers, the colour of 'lemon drops'.

Easy in almost any, well-drained soil in sun.

Order from Autumn list only.

A genus of about 10 species, from southern Africa. These are winter-growing, summer-dormant bulbs. The flowers are clustered together in a ball. In the dwarf species these are 15cm across, but the biggest species are larger than a football.

We grow them under frost-free glass, in full sun. In warmer climates they may be temperature hardy, but watering will need management. Ours are in a well-drained, loam-based mix. Never, ever use peat-based or soil-less composts, these need replacing too often and the bulbs dislike disturbance (for this same reason they will probably sulk for a year or two after we send them to you). We feed every watering - we water infrequently, so there are only so many chances to feed !

Give a dry summer rest, then re-water in autumn when flowers may be expected, grow them through the autumn and winter and dry off again in July. Good air-circulation in winter will avoid fungal rots on the leaves. (If this makes them sound difficult, I would say that it is good advice for all wintergreen under glass in the UK).

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

Calostemma is a small genus from Australia belonging to the Amaryllidaceae and this is the only wholly endemic Australian genus in this family. It comprises just two species, as far as I know, one yellow, one purple. Reports of white flowered species (alba and scott-sellickiana) refer to the related but distinct genus Proiphys.

Both species bloom in autumn and the flowers are borne in an umbel of six to eighteen blooms on a leafless stem, 20-50 cm high. Flower colour is either pure yellow or purplish red according to species. Both have a floral tube paler than the petals, both have yellow anthers. Each trumpet-shaped flower is held on a long, thin pedicel and is about 2 cm long.

It flowers best after dry periods so should be allowed to dry off after the leaves yellow. Growth is improved by the application of slow released fertiliser. Seeds germinate on the plants and should be sown in a well-drained mix, placed in a warm spot and protected from snails and slugs.

Order from Spring and Autumn lists.

Camassia is a genus of six species mostly found on in the western coastal states of North America, as far east as Utah, Wyoming and Montana. Camassia are now regarded as belonging to the Agavaceae.

They were an important food of Native Americans and early settlers and were formerly found wild in huge numbers in moist meadows.

They are bulbous perennials with narrow leaves 15-75cm long and stems 20–120cm tall which carry many, six-petalled flowers above the leaves. The colour varies according to species and within species, but is usually in shades of blue to violet and rarely white. In cultivation they are good perennials, asking only for a most, humus-rich soil in full sun or light shade.

Order from Autumn list only.

Canarina is found in several countries of Africa but the relict species Canarina canariensis is found only on the Canary Islands. Many of the islands are sunny and dry, but traces of forest remain at higher altitudes. In these Tertiary forests, in the cloud belt, a moist and frost-free zone still exists and it is here that Canarina grows.

The growth springs from fleshy tubers and it is annual in its duration, dying back to these in summer.

Growth can start as early as August, when small pink shoots elongate. These eventually form a 2m plant. This can climb or tumble according to how you grow it - in habitat it scrambles through adjacent plants. Cultivation is best in a large pot in a very humus-rich soil, if you want increase in size and good flowering then do ensure that the plants do not overheat, do not get dry and have ample humidity. In winter ensure freedom from frost but cool, even temperatures. Finally this is not a CITES plant - there is no record of it in the CITES database.

Order from Autumn list only.

'Glory of the Snow'. This is an easily grown genus from the middle east, extending west as far as Crete. Comprising of of 6 or 7 species, valuable for early spring colour especially in cold gardens.

They are relatively undemanding as to soil type but do appreciate cool, moist soils that do not become hot and dry in the summer. These are cool, mountain-top plants which grow and flower at the edge of melting snow and should be treated accordingly, they are not lowland Mediterranean species and will do better without a hot dry "bake" in the summer.

Order from Autumn list only.

As a rule Colchicum are easy, garden plants for sun or light shade. In common with most bulbs, they like well-drained soils but they are sufficiently tolerant that they do well in most soils. After planting, most need little attention apart from division, as the leaves fade, every few years.

We concentrate on medium to small, plants, with a tidy habit and we enliven this selection with a few of the clones and hybrids that we consider best. It is a personal selection.

It was, for many years, disappointing for us and our customers, when we got asked for Colchicum in perhaps September. This was the worst time to try and buy them, but now we cool-store our Colchicum from soon after we harvest them. This only upsets them a little and extends the season considerably so that you can have them the year that you see them (elsewhere) in flower. However it is still very helpful if you can order before mid-September, then we can be sure of having enough lifted (and cooled) to meet the demand!

Order from Autumn list only.

The genus is is a large one, containing some familiar weeds and many unknown treasures. We offer selected hardy species, with tubers. These are the best species for garden use, and never become weeds.

Most of our species thrive in a leaf-enriched loam out in the garden. Light shade is best, some will take sun. They grow in acid or lime soils and are seldom troubled by pests.

Corydalis can also be grown in pots, but it is important not to over-dry them in the summer, this causes shrivelling. The semi-desert and steppe species from central Asia are more forgiving in this respect than those used to cooler, moister natural habitats. These arid land species, from drier regions are often happier, in our climate, under cold glass or in the bulb frame.

Expensive species are not particularly difficult, but rather, they are slow to propagate. They do not divide or make offsets every year, others rarely set seed.

Order from Autumn list only.

A genus of 4 species of orchids, related to Oreorchis and Aplectrum. These all make a corm-like pseudobulb and a solitary, pleated, wintergreen leaf. They are plants of deciduous woodland, growing when the leaves are absent from the trees but going dormant when light and water levels fall in summer.

A new leaf appears in late summer and lasts until mid winter or early Spring, building a new corm at its base. The plant then flowers, the old corm rots away and the plant goes dormant. The trick to successful cultivation is keeping the leaf green long enough to make a big new corm. If shrinkage happens too often then it fades away over a period of years. I have seen some imagined saprophytic relationship blamed for this, but I do not give credence to it. It is the grower's skill that counts.

Give full light when in growth from Autumn to Spring, shade from late spring to autumn. A very fertile soil with plenty of water in Autumn and Spring (drier, but not dry, in winter) and lots of humus. Leaf litter on the soil surface helps and cool humidity is beneficial. Think 'mossy-ferny' conditions. Not impossible, though not for beginners.

Although Crocus are classically thought of as spring flowers, there are a whole range of wild species and selections, which flower throughout the autumn.

The earliest of these start to flower in the dying days of July continuing into August, at which point more species start to flower. With careful selection of different species, their flowering periods can be overlapped until Christmas, at which time the Spring species start to flower.

We offer a wide range of autumn-flowering species Crocus. Cultivation of these presents no problems, and they do well if given a fertile, well-drained, loam-based compost in full sun. With global warming, these are becoming easier and easier to cultivate in northern gardens also. A few need some shade, and leafier conditions, this is noted individually under species needing it.

Autumn flowering Crocus need to be ordered early for flowering the same season, and are usually sent before other bulbs.

Order from Autumn list only.

There cannot be a gardener anywhere who is not familiar with the Crocus, the universal denizen of spring.

We offer a wide range of true species spring-flowering Crocus to flower from December to May. The species have a far wider range of flower forms, colours and flowering times than the garden hybrids, which are derived from just three or four species.

Our spring Crocus will be happy in sun, in a well-drained loam-based soil. They are not usually bothered by lime or acidity in the soil, as long as this is not extreme. All may also be grown in pots under glass in the alpine house.

A wide range of Autumn Crocus may also be found here on our website.

Order from Autumn list only.

These are hardy and half-hardy species. In the garden most like a well-drained leafy soil in light shade. Place the top of the tuber about 3cm deep, and add a surface layer of leaves or fir needles. Leaf growth will die away completely in the summer and appears again in autumn or spring depending on the species.

Cyclamen can be sent at almost any time of the year, although we may have to remove their leaves when they are sent out "green" over the winter. They come to no harm and grow again at the appropriate time of year.

Tender species are best grown in pots, under glass. Ensure they are frost-free as they will die if the pots are frozen through. Use a loam based compost such as John Innes No3. Potted plants can have their tubers at the surface or just buried.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

Some of the most beautiful Orchids but not the easiest. They are not recommended for beginners but they are not impossible, especially the garden hybrids. We guarantee the safe arrival of healthy plants, however after that it is up to you.

They like light or dappled shade and cool humidity. They enjoy moisture at the roots but are NOT, in any way, bog plants.

They appreciate open, well-drained soils, which do not dry out. Total dryness must be avoided, though they like to be a little drier in winter. All are fully hardy here.

Cypripedium resent disturbance and their roots bruise easily, so they must not be handled roughly. They must never dry out when planting, even a minute in direct sunshine can kill them months later.

Extensive cultural instructions are available to customers in our members area, accessible after login to your account.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

This is the largest genus of Amaryllids in Africa. They occupy a vast range of habitats, from arid lowlands to snowy mountains, there are desert plants and those capable of withstanding cold and wet. In the UK they should all be regarded as tender, for safety's sake.

All Cyrtanthus need good drainage, especially the arid land species. The bigger species are better with the bulb planted above the compost. Contractile roots will pull the bulb down to the correct depth but the bigger species have thicker bulb tunics and like to be able to dry out rapidly after watering.

We use clay pots or bed them out, in a soil containing a LOT of silica sand, under glass. Never put them in peat-based compost (or similar), never use plastic pots. Most do not need much water. Let them dry out almost completely between watering. If in doubt then don't give any water.

The majority are deciduous, sometimes only briefly, but they will need a dry dormant period to ripen growth.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

Daubenya is a gorgeous genus from S.Africa. Once regarded as having just one species but was revised in 2002* and now has eight species. All have two spreading leaves and white, yellow or red tubular flowers in a raceme. They are all strange and wonderful plants, beautiful beyond belief.

Most of the species are from winter rainfall areas but many are very restricted. D.aurea is found only high in the Roggerveld, where it grows with Daubenya-eating porcupines and porcupine-eating leopards.

They need fertile soil, good feeding, dry leaves, good drainage and good drainage! Most will accept some winter cold, but will not take freezing. In the wild D. aurea is used to snow. The others grow in drier habitats, with seasonal moisture.

* J.C. Manning and A.M. van der Merwe, "Systematics of the genus Daubenya (Hyacinthaceae: Massonieae)", in BOTHALIA, 32, 2, pp. 133-150 (Oct 2002)

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

These are best in a warm sunny spot in well-drained soil, and they do very well in pots under glass.

Flowering starts in Jun,e as the blooming season of most other flowering bulbs is ending. Dichelostemma are under pressure from farming; ours are all all cultivated plants.

These have a long dormant period and will transplant quite safely in spring as well as autumn, hence they are now offered in both lists.

Order from Autumn and Spring lists.

This genus, of the Liliaceae, is also called Polemannia, Tricharis, Uropetalum, and Zuccagnia. Liliaceae. There are about 20 species, ranging from southern Europe through Africa and Madagascar to the East Indies. They are all half-hardy in the UK.

The flowers can be white, red, peach or green to yellowish in a simple, sparsely flowered, raceme, with each bloom held on a short pedicels with a little bract at the base.

They require a compost of well-drained, light, sandy loam and humus in the form of leaf mould. They like a dry rest during their dormancy which is either summer or winter depending on the species.

Empodium is a small genus of perhaps 7 or 8 species, from South Africa and Namibia where they are found in winter-rainfall areas. Along with Hypoxis and Spiloxene, Empodium sits within the Hypoxidaceae and indeed some species seem to flit between their own genus and those of their relatives.

They grow from a small corm producing lance-shaped or broad, usually pleated, sometimes hairy, leaves some 10-30cm long in the Autumn, along with (or just after) tufts of small, star-shaped flowers. In all of the species these are greenish externally and bright, vivid yellow inside. Some of the species are delightfully and very strongly perfumed and I have heard mention of the scents of lemon, coconut, pineapples and even bathroom cleaner!

They like a sharply-drained, gritty compost in cultivation and although they are not garden hardy in the UK, their increasing presence on the show benches of the Alpine Garden Society, suggests that they are doing well as pot plants under alpine house conditions.

Often know as 'Winter Aconites' these like damp leafy soils in light shade. They are tolerant plants in the garden and will thrive in peaty or limey soils, as long as they have water, light shade and good drainage.

The fertile, more vigorous species such as hyemalis and cilicica are ideal for naturalising and semi-wild gardening. The infertile Guinea Gold is sufficiently vigorous that it will virtually naturalise, by offsetting, when happy.

Like many Ranunculaceae they dislike being moved too much and detest being dried out and desiccated. Tubers may sulk for an entire season, making no above ground growth, or dying back quickly, while they establish a root system. They usually come up full of vigour the following year as long as they have not be damaged by an exploratory finger checking their welfare! Doubles may often sulk by reverting to single or semi double flowers for a season.

These are plump, nursery-propagated top-sized corms, propagated in cultivation, they are not tiny, dried, wild-collected 'mummies', such as you will see in garden centres and supermarkets.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

Trout lilies or fawn lilies in the USA, where most of the species hail from. We grow European and Asian species, plus a wide range of cultivars and hybrids. They are superb plants for light shade in a humus enriched soil.

Normally available from very late summer to late Autumn. They have no tunics on their bulbs and thus they are very susceptible to drying, if bought from garden centres. Ours are sent out (only) when dormant, packed in polythene and damp peat. We find that they travel very happily packed like this and they can be safely sent out until at least late October. BUT we need to know that you want them as early as possible as we start to replant our stocks in September.

They should be planted at once upon arrival. After planting leave alone and lift only every 3-4 years, during dormancy, to split them apart as they dislike disturbance.

Order from Autumn list only.

The genus is spread across the entire northern hemisphere and we offer a superb range of species from Europe, Middle East, Asia and western USA.

Fritillaria occupy many habitats from wet meadows to high mountain screes and light woodland. Remarkably they almost all accept a similar regime in cultivation.

Cultivation is best in pots or a bulb frame, in a loam or soil-based compost. They do not do well in the long term, in peat-based composts.

Plant in September-October, water gently and allow them very gentle moisture, to make roots, until growth emerges from February to April, depending on climate and species. Feed during growth and then gradually dry them off and cease feeding as the leaves yellow and the bulbs die back.

Keep them dry over summer and repeat the cycle again in autumn, remembering that they do not have bulb coats and thus they are easily over-dried in summer. Regardless of what their wild habitat might imply.

Order from Autumn list only.

Snowdrops have traditionally been moved 'In The Green', in spring. This involves digging them up in full growth and is old-fashioned nonsense. Far from being the 'best' time to move them, it does a considerable amount of harm in the long term.

Though in-the-green is better than moving totally dry bulbs, the truth is that Snowdrops move best during their summer dormancy, as long as they are not dried out. We have had excellent results sending freshly lifted, damp-packed bulbs in summer.

We urge you to try them over the summer/autumn, at what is being realised IS the correct time. Don't believe the old-fashioned, fairy-tales about 'in-the-green'.

Orders for Galanthus are taken from Jan-Oct.
Despatch is ONLY from late July-August to late autumn, depending on the season.

This is a genus of terrestrial Orchids which contains just a single species, it is monotypic.

In the wild this is spread from the Canary Islands to as far east as Italy and Sardinia. It is both early flowering and far from conspicuous and may thus be more widespread than records suggest.

Whilst it is not a conspicuous species, it compensates for this both by flowering freely and increasing well in cultivation. Flowering is very early in the year when little else is in bloom the lightly honey-scented flowers, as early as January are a welcome fore-runner to spring.

Gennaria are not available for export to USA, Norway, Switzerland etc.

We have introduced a few tuberous species for your interest.

These die away totally in the summer, in the manner of many bulbs, when they like a dry rest.

Other than providing this, plus good drainage and sunshine, they do not need special attention.

Order from Autumn list only.

Gethyum is a small, bulbous, South American genus, varyingly said to belong to the Alliaceae, Amaryllidaceae or even its own family the Gilliesiaceae as the flowers have three stamens instead of six. Some authorities believe that the correct name for this genus is Solaria.

Regarding it as Gethyum, the genus contains just two species Gethyum atropurpureum and Gethyum cuspidatum of which only one is in general cultivation and even this remains a rare and little known plant.

Gethyum come from areas of Chile which have a Mediterranean type climate. This is, in effect, a geographical "bulb belt" with mild, wet winters and hot dry summers. The flowers, which appear in Spring, are intricately structured with a resemblance to some orchids, especially the fly or insect-pollinated Australian species.

There are many weeds in this genus, thus we offer only a few selected plants worthy of attention in the garden (species such as flanagannii or symonsii when we have them) or under cool glass (the balance of the South African species offered).

Under glass plant into a well drained, gritty compost in November, keep barely moist and cool to delay leaf growth, once this starts in spring, give plenty of water and feed, to promote flowers. Then dry over the summer and start all over the next (late) autumn.

The species which we offer which will take garden cultivation usually need a gritty, well-drained, but humus-rich soil. A mild spot will suit even the hardy ones. Do not confuse these species with the common Mediterranean species such as byzantinus, those do not have a place in gardens, they are weeds!

Ordering of different species from Autumn and Spring lists.

Gynandiris is a small genus from the Mediterranean basin, parts of W. Asia and S. Africa. It is characterised by its fugacious Iris-like flowers and small, nut-like corms. Current thinking suggests that it is better merged into Moraea. Whatever the validity of this the genus (or section) comprises 2 or 3 species in the N. Hemisphere and approximately 7 more in S. Africa.

Most of the species root and grow during autumn and winter then flower in spring, when they produce a long lived succession of short lived flowers. They enjoy classical Mediterranean bulb conditions in cultivation - fertile, loam-based soil or compost, good drainage, lots of sun and a dry summer rest.

Order from Autumn list only.

Although this is quite a large and widespread genus in the wild, there are but a few species in cultivation. Habranthus are related to Zephyranthes but they differ in the way that the anthers are arranged within the flower and in the angle at which the flower is held to the stem. It may sound trivial on paper, but it changes the appearance of the flower, making them look much more like little Hippeastrum.

Cultivation is easy in almost any well-drained soil based compost, under glass in the UK as they are not fully hardy, or in a pot. In warmer climes they are fine bedded out in a suitable compost or soil, in a sunny site.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

The old genus Haemanthus is split into true Haemanthus, listed here, and the related Scadoxus. The house plant "Haemanthus multiflorus", is in fact Scadoxus multiflorus!

Haemanthus is widespread in Southern Africa and it occupies many habitats. General cultivation is to pot them in a well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil, which contains some humus. Feed well and keep them growing when they want to be in leaf. Dry them off when they start to enter dormancy. Usually this means dry or drier in the summer, resuming watering in the autumn, when they will flower. This accommodates the desert and arid-land species but may not be ideal for the moister growing types, wintergreen types which like to be dry in summer! Experimentation may be needed to ideally suit all of the species.

Many Haemanthus are severely restricted in the wild and some are under intense pressure from Agriculture. Although some of ours are imported from South African nurseries, all are cultivated, nursery-raised plants.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

All of ours revel in light shade and are grown under small deciduous trees here. A well-drained soil, leaf- or humus-enriched soil is all that they need. Annual incorporation of additional organic matter is of benefit. They are not difficult but as with most Ranunculaceae, they like time to settle and seldom give their best in the season after disturbance.

They start into growth very early and can be something of a problem to move in spring as they are usually in flower when sent. We now also offer them for ordering from June onwards, for LATE Autumn despatch, when they travel more safely and establish more reliably.

Many of our customers prefer them in spring, but do be aware that they establish less well then and you will miss the flowers. We strongly recommend that you buy them for delivery in LATE Autumn, when they will give better results.

You can order these any time they are listed but they are VERY LATE RIPENING, November Delivery is normal. Customers in cold countries should be aware of this. There are more details here.

This is a small genus, related to Strumaria and more distantly to both Nerine and Gethyllis. The dozen or so species are spread across southern African from the Cape to Namibia.

It is a deciduous genus which dies away totally in summer, when it should be warm and dry. By and large Hessea do not tolerate summer water, when they are dormant. Dry storage, without desiccating them, is needed. They re-emerge in early autumn with narrow deciduous foliage which lasts until after flowering. This is in spring, after which the whole plant dies away again to a small bulb.

They need a well-drained, sandy, compost and are best grown in pot culture under glass. The naturally small bulbs can be crowded in small containers if wished. Not frost hardy.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

A genus of the Amaryllidaceae found only in South America. They present a fascinating array of species many of which have never even been in cultivation.

Those few that have actually been introduced, have often died out as the entire genus seems susceptible to viral infections.

Out of the limited introductions a few species seem resistant and have survived and proven to be both growable and excellent, these are the ones to aim for I suspect!

Hippeastrum are not hardy in the UK but they are easy under frost-free, or warmer, glass. They like to be potted, in a fibrous yet fertile and well-drained compost with about 35% of the bulb above the soil surface, after which they should be watered on a little, until roots are well established. Then regular watering and light feeding can be given. Top growth should be allowed to die away when it yellows and a brief, dry rest given in the pot. Disturb them as little as possible, repotting only ever 3-4 years.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

This a is a small, bulbous genus of the Liliaceae (or Hyacinthaceae if you prefer) found mostly in Turkey and the near east.

They have a small basal rosette of leaves and short spikes of pale to deep blue flowers, early in the spring.

Hyacinthella like a warm, well-drained soil in full sun. They appreciate a warm dry rest in summer (not a 'bake').

Order from Autumn list only.

A genus of about 10 species spread across western Europe and the mountains of Spain, Portugal and Northern Africa. They were formerly included within Scilla, but gradually their distinct nature has been accepted.

Hyacinthoides non-scripta, the English Bluebell, surely familiar to all, now falls here and gives a good general idea of the genus as a whole. Increasingly Hyacinthoides non-scripta this is being replaced in the wild in the UK by the hybrid x massartiana, which has the Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) as its other parent.

All Hyacinthoides are blue-flowered perennial bulbs and those that we have grown here do well in sun or light shade, in a well drained, humus rich soil, out in the garden.

These plants have been moved between so many genera that I have chosen to ignore the currently fashionable shuffling of Ipheion to Tristagma. I am sure that it is correct, and will remain correct until the next change proves that it was not correct. Call me a sceptic by all means but so far they have been included in Beauverdia, Brodiaea, Ipheion, Milla, Nothoscordon, Steinmannia, Stephanolirion, Tristagma and Triteleia, as well as a brief and erroneous transfer of one species to Luzula, a genus of rushes!

They are readily grown spring bulbs from South America. They provide a tremendous display in February and March with sporadic flowers on and off all year. Garden soil, full sun, fully hardy and trouble free.

We only offer the more recent, worthwhile clones, having decided that the old clones such as 'alba' and 'Wisley Blue' really have been superseded by far better, more colourful and more vigorous cultivars.

Iris is a large and variable genus. You do not need to be a botanist to see that the little spring reticulata are very different to big bearded species. Iris occur in virtually every country of the northern hemisphere, and as Iris was the Greek goddess of the rainbow it gives you an idea of their colouring.

To make them easier to find and talk about, we have broken them into the groups of their natural affinities. Please don't be put off by the botanical group names.

For those more confident that they really do want to see them all, then the first heading, 'all Iris sections' is a listing of all of the species that we offer at this time of year.

Iris inhabit habitats from bogs to deserts, there is no one way to grow them. Cultural tips are given under each heading.

This miniature plant from Southern Spain and adjacent Morocco, is the only species in its genus. It is distantly related to daffodils, which the small bulbs resemble and closely related to Hannonia, Vagaria and eventually Pancratium. Lapiedra martinezii might be thought of as a hang-over or relict from evolution.

It flowers in autumn and so is rarely seen in the wild but this is both a useful time for the show bench and in some spots in some gardens or the glasshouse or frame.

Leopoldia are related to, and were once included within, Muscari. They are now accepted as a separate genus and we are gradually easing them into their own listing here, however we offer them under both headings still, so that you can find them. Leopoldia are generally taller than Muscari, with more open spikes and the individual flowers are spaced further apart. The (lower) fertile flowers are tubular and may be white, yellow, green or brown but never blue. There is usually a conspicuous tuft of bright violet, blue or pink sterile flowers at the top of the raceme. This colourful tuft that has inspired the common name of "Tassel Hyacinth".

The mouth of the fertile flower is smaller than the diameter of the flower itself and it is surrounded by small "teeth". The colour of these small lobes is an important feature when identifying species. There are approximately 11 species found from the eastern Mediterranean to the middle east.

In cultivation they are easy in a warm, sunny, well-drained spot where they should be left alone to increase in size. They flower later than the related Muscari. Increase is by seed. This is slow and they make few, if any, offsets.

Order from Autumn list only.

Leucojum, the so-called Snowflakes, is a very small genus of bulbs from Europe, related to snowdrops, Galanthus, but differing in having six equal sized petals. The genus now consists of only a very few species, as the dwarf species with solid (not hollow) flower stems, narrow foliage and unmarked flowers, have been restored to their original genus, Acis (which see)

Leucojum are offered only during their dormant season in the autumn, when they are sent damp packed and leaf-dormant.

L. vernum is best grown in the garden in a damp, humus-rich soil in light shade. They are best not planted in full sun.

Order from Autumn list only

The plants offered are species to grow in your garden. There they revel in cool, leafy soil, in light shade. Enriching your soil with peat, leaf-mould or other humus matter is always beneficial. Very few are fastidious as to lime or acid soils, despite an array of conflicting advice on the matter!

Most of our plants are species and are raised from seed to try and minimise the virus problems that plague commercial stocks. Ours are not over-fattened hybrids, and so most have small bulbs. A few are large, but most of our specialities are the size of hazelnuts and walnuts. Supplied as dormant bulbs, four years or older, some are larger than this.

Lilies are late ripening and are seldom ready before October.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

This is a small genus of South African bulbs belonging to the Liliaceaea or Hyacinthaceae in the newer classification. They are characterised by having a pair of broad, almost flat leaves in the centre of which sits a tuft of flowers of either white, or reddish shαdes, contrasted with yellow pollen. Some are delightfully scented.

In the UK these are best grown in pots under glass as they are not reliably hardy, although some are found at altitudes where snow cover is known, so that they cannot be considered 'tropical'. A well drained fertile compost with an appropriate dry rest when dormant is all that they ask.

Ordering possible from Autumn and Spring lists.

This is a wholly African genus of around 200 species, found from the south of the Sahara all the way to S. Africa. Most of the species are found in the Cape area. Some, from the W. Cape are winter-growing but many valuable garden species also grow at altitude in the mountains of the E. Cape.

These eastern species can cope both with winter cold and some snow, as well as with summer rain. They are said to take down to -5°C and without having measured the temperature accurately, they certainly take cold, snow and frost here. These high altitude Eastern species are well equipped to withstand life in gardens in the UK.

The flowers are both lovely and highly conspicuous and the eastern species that are in cultivation (I cannot vouch for the entire genus!) are remarkably resistant to common garden pests, suffering from few diseases or ailments.

The name Moraea was coined by Carl Linnaeus and commemorates Dr Johan Moraeus, his wife's father.

It must be admitted, that there are many poor species of Muscari that would be best on a bonfire - weedy, proliferating, non-flowering horrors. However, it would be a shame to condemn the many good species on the strength of those poor ones.

We offer what we think are some of the best. They are not "weedy" and have good characters such as colour and scent. Those that we have selected mostly do not increase, other than very slowly.

Most are suitable for outdoor cultivation in the UK based on our own garden in a sunny, fertile, well drained soil.

Order from Autumn list only.

Some of the species of Muscari - the Tassel Hyacinth group, have now been separated into their own, very distinct genus Leopoldia. We are currently shifting them to Leopoldia but we are offering them under both names to ease the transition.

There are thousands of hybrid garden daffodils, but the limited number of wild species are vastly more beautiful and offer far more variety for the discerning gardener.

Most of the species that we grow are dwarf types suitable for the garden in a well-drained spot. Some prefer, or accept, pot or pan culture under cool or cold glass. A bulb frame suits most. Lime or acid soils are equally suitable.

Many of the miniature species were formerly wild-collected in Spain and Portugal. Their sale in garden centres and chain-stores has given them a false image of cheapness. This trade has now mostly stopped and you will find cheap hybrids where once you found cheap species.

We offer almost entirely species and ours are all nursery-grown bulbs, none are wild collected. Most of our flowering sized bulbs, raised from seed, are around 5 years old. The price of our bulbs reflects the work and time involved in raising them from seed, as most do not make many,if any, offsets.

Order from Autumn list only.

Nectaroscordum are related to Allium and are often considered to belong to that genus. Whatever their status, these are superb garden plants, with tall robust spikes of individually large and fragrant flowers.

The species that we grow is well-mannered and does not form the myriad offsets associated with some of the aggressive, weedy species such as siculum or bulgaricum. This is never a weed, indeed it would be nice if it made some offsets! Instead you must wait for five to six years for them to flower from seed.

Order from Autumn list only.

The genus Nerine consists of about 25 species, depending on what is recognised and which species are lumped in together. It is closely related to another African genus - Brunsvigia.

With regard to cultivation and treatment, there are three main groups - winter-growing, summer-growing and evergreen species. Although some are very common and others are limited in distribution and extremely rare, none are difficult in cultivation. The only watch point is to allow for their correct time of growth and dormancy.

Some of the species are simply so tolerant, that they can be grown in the garden, and a vast array of hybrids has been developed. Whilst not disdaining these colourful hybrids, we specialise in growing the rarer, species, types.

A review of species, still useful despite its age, is by Traub, Plant Life, 1967.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

Nomocharis in all of their forms are superb Chinese plants for the discerning gardener. They bear graceful, slender stems holding one to several flowers which have fringed inner petals and flowers often marked and spotted in a unique way.

Nomocharis are plants for cool, moist shade with plenty of organic matter in the soil. They are garden plants, they fare badly in pots, and should never, ever be grown under glass.

All grow from disproportionately small bulbs, please don't malign us when you see them, they are meant to be that way.

Nomocharis are late ripening items seldom ready before late September.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

Superb Asian bulbs which are very rarely seen outside the collections of specialists.

The species offered (but not all in the genus) are for damp, humid, peat or leaf enriched soils in light- or dappled-shade. They revel in the cool, humid conditions that you might associate with Trillium or some woodland Lilies.

Notholirion are monocarpic (that is - they die after flowering) but they leave behind several small bulbs that will reach flowering size themselves in 1-3 years.

Growth of our species begins in spring and ends in late autumn, but other species that we do not offer such as N. keoi and N. thomsonianum need a Mediterranean regime.

Available for ordering from Autumn and Spring lists.

A little known genus of Asian ground orchids containing perhaps as many as 19 species, though some names will be synonyms as the genus is poorly studied. They are found from India to Japan and Russia and south through parts of China to Myanmar and Taiwan.

Oreorchis grow from subterranean, corm-like pseudobulbs which are strung out along a thin rhizome in the manner of a miniature Calanthe or Aplectrum. The old bulbs are partially retained from year to year, attached to the rhizome. One or two, folded, 20-30cm long, quite narrow leaves of annual duration are made. The new bulb swells from their base a little like a pleione. The leaves die away in late spring, new ones appear in late summer. When vigorous, two shoots and leaves mean two new bulbs are made and the rhizome branches.

Bud are made in Autumn but the crowded flower spike, containing small to medium sized flowers is usually produced in late spring or early summer. The flowers are small but beautifully structured, most are in shades of yellow-brown, white and pink, often with a broad, spotted lip.

A fabulous plant known as the Giant Bellflower, found only in a small area in the Hissar, Ugamskiye, Pamir Mountains and N.Afghanistan between 1,500 and 2,000m. Our plants are raised in cultivation, from Arnis Seisums' introduction from the Karateg valley in the Hissars of Tajikistan.

According to the latest revision (Takhtajan, 1997) within Campanulacea, 97 genera including such familiars as Campanula, Codonopsis and Cyananthus are included in one subfamily. Totally isolated are two other subfamilies and within each is just one genus Canarina and Ostrowskia. Each genus contains just one species and are monotypic. These are very distinctive.

It makes slender glabrous stems clothed in tooth-edged, whorls of glaucous leaves and covered in massive flowers of light powder blue or bone-white with fine pale blue veins. After flowering is complete or when temperatures get too high, the plant enters dormancy and stays this way until Sep/Oct. This is the only time that it can be moved. It is best kept dry from the first leaf yellowing to the first shoot emerging.

Order from Autumn list only.

There are just a few genera where we find that our customers think 'weed'. It is often justified and it has to be admitted that Oxalis does contain some noxious weeds, but it is also a great error to write them all off as there is the chance that in dismissing the bulk, you will miss the few good ones.

We do not grow many Oxalis but those that we do grow are exceptional and we recommend them to you. The rest you can get in your local garden centre!

The genus grows across the whole northern hemisphere and most of the southern. It is tremendously variable. We have a native British woodland species - O. acetosella, but there are Andean alpine cushion plants and tiny S. African gems, wet-growing species, desert growing types, one grown as an edible crop and even a six foot high, shrubby one; O. gigantea from Chile.

Order from Autumn list only.

All of our Paeonia are hardy here, in slightly limey soil, in dappled shade. Most are in short supply and often expensive. They are slow to grow and propagate. Paeonia are not for people who want instant gratification. They are plants for the patient gardener, prepared to wait a few years for results (and for a late season delivery).

Paeonies hate transplanting. Autumn is best but rhizomes can sulk for a season, making little growth, or dying back early, while they establish. They usually come up full of vigour the next year as long as they have not been damaged by an exploratory finger checking their welfare!

You can order these any time but please note that Paeonia are VERY LATE RIPENING. Autumn delivery starts mainly in November. For spring delivery we try to have them all sent out by March. Customers in cold countries should be aware of this late, short window. We cannot accept orders stipulating April or May delivery, it is just not possible. There are more details here.

Ordering is possible from Autumn and Spring lists. Paeonia are very late ripening items.

A genus estimated at between 15-20 species (depending on your source), spread from the Canary Islands and Africa to the far East. Related to Hymenocallis but distinct in several ways. Pancratium are tender in all of the United Kingdom, with the probable exception of P. illyricum and there is the chance that P. maritimum will persist and vegetate if planted deeply in a very sandy soil in a south facing site.

In warmer areas they will do well in a sandy hot site which dries out in the summer. Their deeply searching roots will find enough water to keep them going whilst the bulbs sit warm and dry until autumn.

They bear very fragrant white flowers in the summer and autumn when their perfume will fill the air on a warm summer evening.

Ordering possible from Autumn and Spring lists.

There are many species of Paris besides the familiar British and European native species, P. quadrifolia. The best species are centred on China and the Himalayas, with the exceptional, white flowered, P. japonica being found only in Japan.

In the garden they require a deep, fertile, humus-rich yet well-drained soil in light shade. They also need a great degree of patience, as they frequently sulk when transplanted. They frequently miss a season above ground, while they make roots but exceptionally they can take 3-4 years before they make sturdy foliage and flowers on a regular basis.

During establishment the gardener is their greatest threat, as digging them up to see 'why' is a sure way to set them back even further.

Ordering is possible from Autumn and Spring lists. Paris are late ripening items.

Puschkinia is a dwarf bulbous genus consisting of just two species native to the Caucasus, Turkey, northern Iran and Lebanon ( where the form is sometimes called ‘libanotica’). Puschkinia grow from a small bulb with a pair of erect basal leaves. The commonest species is the widespread scilloides, which is very adaptable and which will grow in almost any situation, in the garden. It makes 15cm stems with racemes of star-shaped, pale turquoise-blue flowers very early in the spring, each tepal marked with a darker blue central stripe. The rarer species is the recently named, green-flowered C. peshmennii.

Like members of the genus Chionodoxa, the bases of the stamens are flattened and closely clustered in the middle of the flower partially fused to make a vestigial "cup" almost like a primitive Narcissus. (In the related genus Scilla, the stamens are not flattened or clustered together).

This genus is named in honour of the Russian botanist Apollo Mussin-Pushkin. It was once included in the Liliaceae but new classifications now see it regarded as a member of the Asparagaceae in the subfamily Scilloideae.

Order from Autumn list only.

Although the genus includes the ubiquitous weed, the Buttercup, it also includes a whole host of other species from those which grow submerged in running water, to alpine cushions, spring wood landers and Mediterranean cycle 'bulbs'.

We offer just a few species which we consider worthwhile. Increase is sometimes slow, stocks are often small, so our offerings may not be regular, although they will always be notable.

Culture varies for each species, this will be noted, but basically if these are grown in a well-drained, loam soil then you will not go far wrong. Some like summer dryness, others are winter dormant. As a rule lime is neither a need nor a problem.

Order from Autumn list only.

Romulea, like many of their close relatives, Crocus, enjoy good drainage and sun in the garden. Loam soils at the front of a raised bed or border would be good so their slender growths are not swamped.

Pot cultivation allows you to see their miniature perfection intimately. Their flowers are upright trumpets of Crocus shape and appearance, but they are held on wiry stems and offer a much wider range of brighter colours.

They grow from small, tough corms which have a tiny foot, like Colchicum. It is a large genus spread throughout the Mediterranean region through Ethiopia to southern Africa. The Southern African species include the most varied and colourful in the genus.

The species listed grow on a Mediterranean cycle, wintergreen with a dry warm summer rest. They are excel as pot or pan subjects, and can be planted out in a sunny, well drained loam soil regions where other Mediterranean plants or bulbs do well.

Ordering possible from Autumn list only.

Sanguinaria is a monotypic genus - it contains just the one species, Sanguinaria canadense, The Canadian Bloodroot.

Although the wild form of this species is a lovely plant, it suffers from having too few petals and these can be quickly lost. One puff of wind on a three-day-old flower and it is a stump for another year!

The best of the double forms, "Multiplex", has a large well-filled pom-pom with enough petals to spare a few and still look good, from bud to demise. It is every bit as easy to grow as the type straight species, given a leafy, peaty soil in half or part shade, or even full sun if an adequate supply of water at the roots, in summer, can be guaranteed.

The display that a clump of this can make, in a humus rich spot such as a peat garden, in early spring, is not to be missed.

Order from Autumn and Spring lists.

Nine or so species of Scadoxus occur across southern Africa. The genus is related to Haemanthus. Although Victorian horticulture combined the two, they are very different.

Flowering is in summer when they make 20-30cm head and a red-spotted, 50-60cm stem, each 15-20cm head, made up of numerous scarlet flowers with vivid yellow anthers. Up to 8 wavy-edged, glossy leaves follow.

They like humus-rich, well-drained soils. Fibrous, open, leafmould mixed with some loam and coarse river sand. After transplanting do not move the bulb unnecessarily as flowering may be affected. Annual top dressing is better than transplanting. A larger pot (15-25cm) allows bulbs to develop their full size. They need shade, dappled shade in best though forest species like heavier shade. Avoid full sun to avoid leaf scorch.

Regular feeding with a balanced fertiliser is beneficial. Once the leaves start yellowing stop feeding and watering prior to their leafless, dry, winter dormancy. They must be dry in winter. Scadoxus are not frost-hardy, if they freeze, they die.

Like many Amaryllids, Scadoxus are highly poisonous. The bulbs, leaves flowers and seeds are potentially fatal if eaten.

The old genus Scilla consists of plants grouped together only because they were mostly small and blue. Many are not actually closely related and around 16 new genera have emerged from a re-examination of Scilla. The differences that define the new genera may sound insignificant to the gardener and not all botanists agree with it, though it does seem sensible.

Schnarfia commemorates Karl Schnarf, a distinguished Austrian Embryologist, with a special interest in Scilla. It is totally European and it contains just 2 species, S. messeniaca (which is NOT Scilla messeniaca) and S. albanica.

Schnarfia scapes are semi-terete and floppy in fruit and it makes several scapes per bulb each season, which is valuable from a gardener’s point of view. The bracts and bracteoles are small. The seed capsules are succulent and the seeds are a distinctive glossy, yellow-brown with a solid appendage.

(Scilla makes one scape per bulb, terete stems which flop over in fruit, small (or no) bracts, no bracteoles. Scilla capsules are only slightly succulent, the seeds are glossy, (yellowish to) black with a soft appendage.

This is a small genus of, largely blue-flowered, bulbous species which spreads across Europe from the westernmost occurrences in Portugal through the Middle East and Asia as far as Japan (Scilla japonica). The oddly named Scilla peruviana, commemorates a ship's name (The Peru) rather than a country of origin; which is in fact Portugal.

All Scilla are bulbous plants and the species that we offer are hardy ones, with us at least. They are all easily grown species for the garden. Virtually all will be readily accommodated in a well-drained, humus rich soil in full sun. None are fussy or difficult, a few have foibles, such as the love of cold displayed by S. rosenii.

Order from Autumn list.

Scoliopus is a rare relative of Trillium confined to the Redwood forests of the western USA. One species in California, one in Oregon.

In the garden they thrive in Trillium conditions, light- or part-shade in a humus-rich, moist yet well-drained soil. Fully hardy here and trouble-free, they like to be left alone to establish and clump up, without disturbance.

We try to list these in late autumn as soon as they are dormant but growth starts again VERY early in our climate and plants despatched after December will be in growth and may even have flowered.

Ordering possible from both Autumn and Spring lists.

A small genus, in cultivation at least, but one that we find very rewarding, as the plants persist well and flower reliably.

These are glasshouse bulbs as the genus is not hardy in the UK, but they can be dried off in winter and stored in the house, restarting them in April-May. Ours are grown under frost-free glass, in deep beds of sandy loam, enriched with humus matter, under glass. These are maintained at a minimum of 40°F during the winter, when they are kept quite dry.

Growth starts in the spring, when the plants flower and persists through summer. Growth is not difficult although some species benefit from deep planting, simply to discourage the production of offsets that can proliferate at the expense of flowers, when they are grown in pots.

Mediterranean and middle eastern bulbs, which have been further spread by man as far as China. In the UK a simple understanding of their needs makes flowering much more likely.

Despite the fact that their roots die away in the summer they do not like transplanting, so after planting, it is best to leave then alone.

Sternbergia like a well-drained rich, fertile soil with a deep root-run. They also seem to be one of the few bulbs that actually do have a preference for a limey soil. They adore sun and are ideal in a warm site, such as is found at the base of a south-facing wall where they can dry out in summer. They also do well in a bulb frame or a greenhouse bed, but try to leave them alone.

All of our bulbs are nursery grown and propagated in cultivation, none are wild dug.

Order (early) from Autumn list only, seldom available after late September.

A small genus of bulbs related to Hessea and more distantly, to Nerine. They are found in the winter-rainfall areas of Southern Africa.

Strumaria are valuable for their late autumn flowering. The foliage appears shortly after flowering and there are usually just two, quite broad, short, flat leaves. These are very tidy and neat.

The flowers are borne in a small spike, with each individual blossom being held on a short, usually hanging, pedicel. Their small size and tidy nature, coupled with the elfin appearance of the flowers makes them ideal for pot cultivation.

They should be grown in smallish pots so that the bulbs can be confined, or even crowded, for the best flowering results. Try not to disturb them too often, as transplanting sets back flower production. A very sandy, well-drained compost is essential, dry in the summer.

All are for cultivation under frost-free glass in the UK. In most of the USA they will need protection and even in areas with a Mediterranean climate they will need keeping totally dry in summer.

Order from this list.

Superb dwarf corms from Chile. The species was once considered extinct but has been rediscovered. Popular myth blamed extinction on wild collection, with no proof. In truth the gene pool of cultivated plants is limited and constant, indicating that cultivated stock has been raised from a limited number of plants. Instead changes in grazing patterns and water abstraction caused the loss of the limited, vulnerable habitat, but this is less emotive than blaming gardeners.

Compost is a well-drained, loam with a third coarse sand added. They are summer dormant and need dryness then, but this must not be severe or they will shrivel.

In the winter they are cold hardy here in the open ground but in a pot then they will need frost protection. We grow them outside, in well-drained, raised, shaded beds. In cold continental climates they may need winter protection.

Not for dunking in any old spot in any old garden but not difficult.

Order from the Autumn list.

Tigridia is a genus usually quoted as having 30-35 species though I have a list of over 80 names. Most are from Mexico and C. America with outlying species in Peru and Chile. Four plants previously called Rigidella are now included in Tigridia. Few are in cultivation, with the exception of the Mexican R. pavonia which has been cultivated for perhaps a thousand years.

They grow from a tunicated bulb (not a corm) with a fan of pleated leaves below a spike of amazing flowers. In some species the flowers face up, in others they nod. They are all fugacious, each bloom lasts but a day, however most produce a succession.

Most are summer-growing and winter-dormant, adapted to a dry winter rest. This makes them ideal for cultivation though they must be totally dry when dormant. Climatically they range from alpine to maquis, from marsh to woodland.

They like a well-drained medium and lots of feeding will ensure that they make more abundant growth, increase and flowers. Most of the species in cultivation seem to be cold hardy though I have not grown the semi-tropical species.

Trillium is a wonderful genus for light shade or a peat garden. They will, in time, establish clumps but they need at least a season or two, to establish, after which they increase slowly. Full establishment will take further time, then the plant slowly clumps.

Trillium are long-lived and trouble free but a good display is for the patient gardener. In cultivation they like a rich soil and with the exception of Trillium undulatum they are indifferent to acid or lime soils. The occurrence of some Trillium only on lime, in the wild, is to do with drainage and seedling mortality and nothing to do with any love for lime.

Leaf mould, peat and manure can all be worked in with advantage. The correct soil structure is the most important factor - get the soil right and your Trillium will thrive, get it wrong (heavy, wet, sticky, badly draining or hot, sunny and arid) and they will survive (Trillium are tolerant and want to live!) but they will linger and do poorly.

Trillium can be ordered from both our Autumn and Spring lists. Trillium are late ripening items.

Tristagma is a South American genus of the Alliaceae related to Brodiaea, Ipheion, Milla, Tritelia and Nothoscordum. The status and naming of this genus is in flux and members of all six genera are bounced around, united, separated, split and re-united in a manner designed to ensure the jobs of taxonomists for several generations to come. Traub (1963) favoured including Ipheion in Tristagma and though that became partially accepted, more recent research, suggest it is totally incorrect. This seems to pretty much sum up naming in Tristagma!

Tristagma have basal leaves which are flat and linear but rarely channelled or thread-like. There are around half a dozen species, more if you change your botanical viewpoint. The flowers are tubular with 6 petals and can be either solitary or borne in small clusters, often on short stems only. The gardener will probably be most interested in the Chilean and Argentinean species, most of which are miniature, alpine plants and which do well in cultivation treated as such. Flower colour is mostly in whites and creams, but there are yellow and greenish shades also and many are pleasantly fragrant.

This genus contains both winter-dormant and summer-dormant species so whilst we will continue to offer the genus all year, our range within this will change according to the season.

The Tropaeolum that we grow are all climbing or scrambling species and they carry masses of flowers in a variety of shades, many having flowers of intense colouring.

The genus is diverse and cultural requirements vary. These are detailed under each species, though most simply require good drainage and a fertile compost. Some are cold-hardy, the majority will do best if protected from the worst of winter wet and cold combined, cultivation under alpine, cool or cold glass is perfect.

The species offered here are those that we have found not to be difficult outside in the garden or raised bed. In the garden most of those offered benefit from a sunny well-drained site, perhaps in a raised bed, with the bulbs lifted and cleaned every other year to stop overcrowding and the resultant diminuition in size.

Many of the smaller species can also be grown in the bulb frame or pots in the alpine house. In pots a well-drained, loam-based compost such as John Innes compost No3, plus extra grit is suitable. They do not like peat-based composts as a rule.

Tulips are normally available between early September and late November. They need a longer ripening with us before they are judged ready for sending out but will safely plant much later than most other autumn-planted species.

Order from our Autumn list.

A small genus of summer growing members of the Amaryllidaceae from South America.

These are readily grown in a loam based compost under glass and although they are not hardy, they will succeed in the UK under cold glass as long as they are planted late in spring once severe frosts have passed. They can then be grown on over summer but lifted and dried in autumn. Winter storage can then be frost-free. My pet name for this is the 'potato cycle' as they are grown in the same way.

According to species the flowers are bright yellow or deep red-orange.

Zoellnerallium is a genus created in 1975 to accommodate what was then a single species, Zoellnerallium andinum, a plant which had formerly been included in either Ornithogalum or Nothoscordum. It is a mountain-growing genus of the Alliaceae, found in the Andes of Chile and Argentina. Naming in the group is still confused and this is not helped by European “expertise” ignoring Chilean botanical research.

Zoellnerallium was expanded in 2007 to include a new second species, the white Zoellnerallium serenense.

The genus is dedicated to one of the leading botanists of the twentieth century in Chile, the late Otto Zoellner who died in 2007 at the age of 98, having devoted his working life to the study and classification of the Chilean Flora.

Available for ordering from Spring list.