Bulbs under a laurel hedge

archenna · January 2022

Hello
would like some advice as to what bulbs I can grow underneath this laurel hedge . It’s a south facing front garden . I’ve been told the laurels would drain most of the water and it would be difficult to grow anything and also that the laurels are a beauty on their own . I want to introduce some colour and thinking of taller plants like gladioli or allium . Would like to hear your thoughts . Thanks !

Fairygirl · January 2022

Unless the hedge is facing in the right direction, you'll struggle to get those to grow. There would need to be enough room in the border to accommodate them, and it would also be difficult to maintain the hedge.
In addition to that, unless it's the hardier gladiolus [byzantinus or papilio are the usual ones ] you'd probably have to lift them every year [ not easy either due to laurel roots] and overwinter them somewhere, as they aren't hardy. In very mild areas they might be ok.

I'm not sure everyone would agree with you re laurels being beautiful either

archenna · January 2022

Sorry forgot to post a pic

archenna · January 2022

Fairygirl said:

Unless the hedge is facing in the right direction, you'll struggle to get those to grow. There would need to be enough room in the border to accommodate them, and it would also be difficult to maintain the hedge.
In addition to that, unless it's the hardier gladiolus [byzantinus or papilio are the usual ones ] you'd probably have to lift them every year [ not easy either due to laurel roots] and overwinter them somewhere, as they aren't hardy. In very mild areas they might be ok.

I'm not sure everyone would agree with you re laurels being beautiful either

Thanks for the advice , just attacked a pic of the laurels and the planter underneath. Hedge grows north south and anything I plant will be east facing

Fairygirl · January 2022

East facing means they'd be leaning to get light. Are you sure that's laurel though?

Plantminded · January 2022

Hello @archenna, it's a bit too late to plant spring bulbs like allium now. If you can find any they may not be of the best quality and will flower later than normal.

Why not think about some easy, sun loving perennials which will suit that space? You'll need to consider accessing your hedge to prune it so you don't want anything too tall or sprawling.

I've used Erigeron karvinskianus in that sort of situation. It has white daisy like flowers and will quickly form a dome shape and cascade over your sleepers. I'd put a series of them dotted along the edge of your border, perhaps mixed with a salvia like Salvia caradonna and a feathery grass like Stipa tenuissima. The are all shallow rooted and sun loving, just keep them well watered. You could then add some spring bulbs like daffodils or tulips in the autumn for additional colour and interest next year.

Edited note - I assumed your border was south facing, but if it is east facing the Salvia may not flourish, the others are happy with light shade and won't lean towards the light.

archenna · January 2022

Thank you !the Erigeron karvinskianus is such a beautiful looking daisy ! It looks fab ! Might do that .

I was actually considering summer flowering bulbs that I won’t have to dig out every year ( if there’s any such )from amidst the laurel roots . ,

Plantminded · January 2022

Crocosmia will grow in that situation - they will lean though! Lily of the valley are another option - they will spread quite quickly once established. You won't have to dig either of these out.

Fairygirl · January 2022

You'd also need to keep that ivy at bay. It's more competition.
I still don't think that's laurel. It looks more like Privet or even Griselinia.
In any case, unless you get lots of rain, that little border will be quite dry. Many plants won't like that.
I doubt Lily of the Valley would be great, unless it gets lots of moisture.
Re bulbs, there are some early alliums, but you'd need to wait until autumn now for buying those. A. karataviense is one, and would certainly grow in drier spots. The species tulips will grow well enough, but they'll probably lean. Many of the other tulips might find it unsuitable, and they're mostly unreliable in terms of returning year on year. However, they're all spring flowering, not summer.
Annuals would probably be easier.

Plantminded · January 2022

Lily of the Valley will be fine, it's usually found in dry woodlands. It favours chalky soils and can also be found in limestone pavements! I have it growing far too well beneath a row of large conifers in very dry soil.

Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) - Woodland Trust

Fairygirl · January 2022

Interesting. Yet most people find it very difficult to establish in drier conditions

Once established it's different - as with many plants, and certainly, most deciduous woodland has enough leaf litter to support it, even in a drier area. Deciduous woodland is different from evergreen woodland though.
I find it very odd that they state it isn't common in Scotland. They might want to come and take a look at gardens round here in late spring, and we certainly don't tend to have chalky soil either

Bulbs under a laurel hedge

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