Specialty bulbs

Specialty bulbs: the unexpected in your garden

From allium to muscari: something special for every spot

Special, but not difficult

Frequently asked questions about specialty bulbs​

• When should you plant alliums and other specialty bulbs?
  Most specialty bulbs are planted in the autumn, from September to November. Alliums are best planted a little later, in October or November, to prevent the bulb from sprouting too early in the year.
• When do alliums and the other varieties in this category flower?
  This varies by variety. Muscari, chionodoxa and fritillaria flower early, often as early as March and April, alongside daffodils and hyacinths. Most allium varieties flower later, from May through to July, thus nicely bridging the gap between spring-flowering and summer-flowering plants.
• Do specialty bulbs return every year?
  Yes, most species in this category are hardy and perennial. If you let the foliage die back naturally after flowering, the bulbs will simply bloom again in subsequent years, and many varieties will even naturalize on their own, forming an increasingly lush display.
• Are these specialty bulbs suitable for a pot or balcony?
  Absolutely. Smaller varieties such as muscari, chionodoxa and ipheion thrive in pots, provided there is good drainage. When it comes to the larger allium varieties, it’s best to choose a more compact variety so that the proportions remain balanced with the pot.
• Are these bulbs bee-friendly?
  Yes, a large part of the range – including virtually all Allium varieties – is popular with bees and other pollinators, precisely because they flower at times when there is less available elsewhere in the garden.
• What is the difference between Allium and other specialty bulbs?
  Allium, or ornamental onion, is the best-known and most distinctive species in this category: tall, with round flower heads. The other specialty bulbs, such as muscari and fritillaria, are generally smaller and flower earlier in the spring – ideal for combining with allium to extend the flowering period.