I've always taken advantage of the special offers in GW mag who usually use T & M- although not spring bulbs, their lillies have all grown and been excellent this year despite the weather. Also purchased gladioli and they wouild have done really well if it wasn't for caterpillars eating their leaves
Bulbs like daffs, crocus and tulips I've purchased locally from GC, wilkinson's, Aldi and Lidl - you can see the bulbs and there's no P & P.
Mine have mostly been planted in pots. Planting at the right depth improves the chances of the bulbs growing. FB and B mixed in the compost at the bottom of the pot also helps, along with perlite and a good watering at the time of planting. They are then put in a spot out of direct sunlight and forgotten about until bulbs start appearing in the garden-usually crocus first and then all the pots are brought out from their winter hiding place.
Mail order I have found to be good if you want named varieties are Pottertons, Broadleigh Gardens, Miniature Bulbs of Knaresborough, Pitcairn alpines, and Kevock Gardens, all of whom have web sitesAs others have said the supermarkets can be excellent and towards the end of season have stock reduced. As long as the bulbs are sound late planting will not be a problem
Have bought once or twice from mail order but prefer to buy locally or where I can see the bulbs, then you know the condition they are in. I also have problems when planting in the garden as to which depth to put them in at. Maybe this explains why some don't appear.
Ive bought bulbs from wilkinsons, not a huge selection but mostly good quality and no postage. Only problem i have now is where to put them all, think i will dig up a bit more lawn so i can have bigger flower beds.
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I've always taken advantage of the special offers in GW mag who usually use T & M- although not spring bulbs, their lillies have all grown and been excellent this year despite the weather. Also purchased gladioli and they wouild have done really well if it wasn't for caterpillars eating their leaves
Bulbs like daffs, crocus and tulips I've purchased locally from GC, wilkinson's, Aldi and Lidl - you can see the bulbs and there's no P & P.
Mine have mostly been planted in pots. Planting at the right depth improves the chances of the bulbs growing. FB and B mixed in the compost at the bottom of the pot also helps, along with perlite and a good watering at the time of planting. They are then put in a spot out of direct sunlight and forgotten about until bulbs start appearing in the garden-usually crocus first and then all the pots are brought out from their winter hiding place.
My spring bulbs did really well this year.
Mail order I have found to be good if you want named varieties are Pottertons, Broadleigh Gardens, Miniature Bulbs of Knaresborough, Pitcairn alpines, and Kevock Gardens, all of whom have web sitesAs others have said the supermarkets can be excellent and towards the end of season have stock reduced. As long as the bulbs are sound late planting will not be a problem
Have bought once or twice from mail order but prefer to buy locally or where I can see the bulbs, then you know the condition they are in. I also have problems when planting in the garden as to which depth to put them in at. Maybe this explains why some don't appear.
Ive bought bulbs from wilkinsons, not a huge selection but mostly good quality and no postage. Only problem i have now is where to put them all, think i will dig up a bit more lawn so i can have bigger flower beds.