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Bulb recommendations for very stoney soil?

UrbanNoviceUrbanNovice Posts: 29
in Problem solving

I have a small area (~3m x 1m) of soil that has lots and lots of stones/pebbles/brick fragments/slate chippings mixed in with the soil (previous owner). It's in shade for most of the day but does get 3-4 hours of late afternoon sun. I have managed to dig deep enough to put in a few, generally shade-tolerant, small evergreen plants and they have survived for a year and a half.

Are there any particular flowering early/late summer bulbs (especially with white flowers) that would be suitable for this type of soil? I could provide them with a mattress and duvet of topsoil/compost. I know it will be tricky getting them in but I would rather give it a go this year if possible and try to improve the soil properly if they fail.

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Tulips in the wild grow in areas of stony soil, so they could do well.  Try white agapanthus for later in the season.  Lavenders and thymes should also like that soil.
  • InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568
    edited April 2021
    If you include tubers and similar the choice is much wider, gladioli, asiatic lilies and nerines, all do well but will benefit from crushed egg shell and/or wood ash plus some poopy stuff, manure. Bulbs and tubers are designed to thrive in poor, stony soil. Good luck !
    Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.
  • UrbanNoviceUrbanNovice Posts: 29

    Thank you.

    Shows how much of a novice I am - I didn't even realise that bulbs (tubers etc) actually appreciated these harsh conditions. So much to learn - wish I'd started 30 years ago!
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