This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Bulbs for wetter soils
Rainbowfish
Posts: 276
in Talkback
Will any bulbs survive or even thrive in clay that is soggy for the whole winter?
0
Posts
Hi, We have clay soil and Crocosmia Lucifer does ok.
That is the only bulb I have experience of I am afraid.
Dont forget the good old Daffodils and Snowdrops
i have ordered some in the green snowdrops to try after watching Monty, Nigel & Nell
The wild daffodil aka Lent Lily Narcissus lobularis naturally grow in water meadows, as does the Snakeshead Fritillary F. meleagris.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Daffs were more than happy at my last house where they grew along the front boundary in the run off from the ponds. It was ever present - the run off I mean
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think the Summer Snowflake , Leucojum aestivum is very tolerant of wet conditions. Wild Garlic Allium ursinum also tolerates damp conditions, but I wouldn't have it in my garden as it would take over.
Wild garlic on order. I have a good corner for it where it can go wild.
I like the fact that you can always eat the excess if it does start to try for garden domination.
The wild daffs sound like a good idea. Narcissi Obvallaris for pots was on my list of plants to get but I guess I will add some lobularis to my own mini water meadow.
I am surprised the 10p pot of camomile (gc clearance) has survived the winter in what has turned out to be a rather boggy patch
Snakes head fritillaries love damp meadows
I have tulips and dwarf iris growing very well in clay. Also crocosmia and asiatic lilies. When planting, dig up soil to a loose consistency up to 300mm depth .Apply sharp sand and grit and good quality MP compost to soil before planting bulbs. Has worked for me over the years as all bulbs normally requires a free draining soil to stop waterlogging and consequently bulb rot and failure to grow
I have camassia leichtlinii Alba in areas of heavy soil, but not in places that would fill with water if I dug a hole in winter.
I lost the first lot of blues, I wonder if the soil was too dry..? so am experimenting by introducing the whites into claggier areas.