Mini Bulbs for Little Gardens

A field of golden daffodils may be every gardener’s dream, but for those of us whose gardens have downsized, regular sized spring bulb blooms can look seriously out of place. Never more so than when their heavy heads flop over in the rain or their yellowing green foliage dominates our summer display. Although little gardens don’t have the space to accommodate big bulb blooms, they can be the perfect home for the mini variety.

Mini (more officially known as ‘minor’) bulbs are usually defined as those which grow to no more that 15-16cm high. They require the same conditions as their full sized cousins, and although they can be planted in the same way – en masse or singly – they often look best when sown in small clusters where they create maximum impact. When poor weather hits, wind and rain are much less likely to destroy their display, and when they die down, their dainty foliage is barely noticeable. Mini bulbs are a favourite with rock gardeners but there’s no reason in the world why they can’t be enjoyed in a regular ornamental bed or at the base of shrubs or peeping out from the lower rungs of a hedge. Pop them into planters and display them on the deck, or grow them in matching pots and bring them inside when they start to flower. If mini bulbs sound perfect for your little garden, let’s take a look at just a few of what’s on an extensive menu of delights!

Baby iris (Iris reticulata)

Reticulated iris is a treasure, and apart from Iris vartanii (which is frost tender) they are hardy do-ers. They come in a variety of colours from shades of deep- to sky-blue, plum, lavender, yellow, lemon, white, and an intriguing mottled blue-green. Wherever you plant these little iris, you will obtain the best results if they grow in a spot with loads of summer sunshine to bake the soil.

Squill

There are squill … and there are squill! Members of the scilla family, some, such as the common English bluebell, are invasive, and will soon colonise any garden, especially a little one. The squill suited to a small garden are the likes of Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) or Persian squill (Scilla mischtschenkoana). Siberian squill hails from Eastern Europe and Ukraine. It’s easy to grow, and although it is happiest in full sun or part shade, it will also perform in very shady spots. You can even plant it in your lawn! It comes in blue, pink, white, and purple. Plant these little bulbs in autumn, in well-drained soil (if you can’t provide this, pop them into pots filled will free draining bulb mix). Persian squill are an iceberg blue with a sky-blue stripe on the outer side of each delicate petal. These little flowers hold on the plants for several weeks, and like their Siberian counterparts, they give long life in a vase.

Dog Tooth Violet (Erythronium)

Erythronium are a real talking point, so grow them along the edge of a path where visitors get to enjoy them, too. Available in colours of yellow, pink-purple, and white, the petals of Erythronium are ‘reflexed’ (drawn back), so their pretty anthers are on full display. These little blooms are truly elegant, as well as hardy.

Species tulip

Species tulips are the ancestors of the many cultivated varieties now available, something which makes them so special to have in your garden. Low-growing (sometimes almost ground-hugging), they are early-blooming, hardy, and come in a range of colours from fiery red to lavender-pink with yellow centres. Once you start collecting these little beauties, they become a geography lesson in themselves, and you will soon want to know more about the intriguing parts of the world from which they originate.

Little gardens look best when filled with little treasures – this spring, bring your downsized garden to life with the blooms of mini bulbs!