{"id":20676,"date":"2023-03-28T13:37:49","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T11:37:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=103661"},"modified":"2023-03-28T14:35:24","modified_gmt":"2023-03-28T12:35:24","slug":"a-bulb-heavy-garden-for-spring-from-jane-and-rod-leeds","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/a-bulb-heavy-garden-for-spring-from-jane-and-rod-leeds\/","title":{"rendered":"A bulb-heavy garden for spring from Jane and Rod Leeds"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a passion for collecting bulbs and alpine plants Rod and Jane Leeds have created a garden that is brimming with life and colour in spring. Words John Hoyland, photographs Richard bloom <\/p>

By John Hoyland\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 28 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Driving along a narrow lane in rural Suffolk, there is no mistaking Jane and Rod Leeds\u2019 garden. Tumbling through the fence and flowing down to the road is a cascade of colourful plants<\/a>. In the spring the garden teems with trilliums<\/a>, erythroniums<\/a> and fritillaries<\/a>; later the lilies take over before handing the relay to amaryllis<\/a> and nerines<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Joanna\u2019<\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Both Jane and Rod have been involved in the Alpine Garden Society for decades and Rod is the author of several books on growing bulbs<\/a>. The couple are as full of life as their garden, and happy to share their extensive experience of bulb and alpine growing. No one leaves their garden without having a plant pressed into their hands \u2013 I came away with a very elegant autumn-flowering crocus<\/a> \u2013 or benefiting from their down-to-earth, practical advice.<\/p>\n

Discover more about the garden below.<\/div>\n
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\u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
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The stout stems and luminous bells of Fritillaria pallidiflora<\/em> push through clumps of Trillium albidum<\/em> and the haphazardly wandering Scilla<\/a> bithynica<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

Brick-built raised beds provide additional drainage for those bulbs that need hot and dry growing conditions.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

The white-flowering Magnolia<\/a> salicifolia<\/em> \u2018Wada\u2019s Memory\u2019 dominates the front of the house in spring. It\u2019s underplanted with Helleborus<\/em><\/a> x hybridus among the foliage of later-flowering bulbs.<\/p>\n

Bulbs to plant<\/h2>\n

Fritillaria persica<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Fritillaria persica<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A magnificent tower of dusky purple bells stands over whorls of glaucous-grey foliage. Needs shelter from wind. 70cm. USDA 5a-8b.<\/p>\n

Read more about how to grow fritillaria<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Uvularia sessilifolia<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Uvularia sessilifolia<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

This delicate woodland plant,<\/a> with elegant, creamy flowers and golden-edged leaves, needs shade<\/a> and cool, damp, humus-rich soil. 15cm. USDA 4a-9b.<\/p>\n

Read more about plants for shade<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/h3>\n

Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Sundisc\u2019<\/h3>\n
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Erythronium Sundisc<\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

An easy-to-grow, vigorous plant with glossy dark-green leaves that have a maroon marbling. Each graceful stem holds three flowers. 25cm. AGM. RHS H4, USDA 4a-9b.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s everything you need to know about growing erythronium<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Joanna\u2019<\/h3>\n
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Erythronium<\/em> Joanna<\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A floriferous plant that thrives in humus-rich soil in shade. The inside of the flowers are bright yellow while the back of the petals have a pink sheen. 25cm. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 4a-8b.<\/p>\n

Lithophragma parviflorum<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Lithophragma parviflorum<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A North American native perennial that is rarely grown in British gardens. Its flowers resemble those of the campion. 20cm. USDA 5a-8b.<\/p>\n

Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Janice\u2019<\/h3>\n
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Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Janice\u2019<\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Mottled glossy foliage and masses of pale-pink flowers on mahogany stems. At their best in humus-rich soil in shade. 15cm. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 4a-8b.<\/p>\n

Trillium albidum<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Trillium albidum<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The elegant flowers have the added bonus of producing a sweet, rose-like perfume. Needs rich, moist, acid soil in shade. 45cm. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 5a-8b.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to grow trillium<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Arum creticum<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Arum creticum<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Sweetly scented flowers<\/a>, reminiscent of honey and lemon. The foliage appears in the autumn and the flowers the following April. 40cm. USDA 8a-10b.<\/p>\n

Fritillaria elwesii<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Fritillaria elwesii<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A Fritillaria that is very easy to grow in well-drained soil and which will even naturalise in grass. The wiry stems carry up to three flowers. 35cm.<\/p>\n

Tulipa clusiana<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Tulipa clusiana<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

On sunny days the petals widen to form a star, revealing a sparkling white surface with a dark-purple blotch in the centre. Plant deeply in a warm spot. 30cm. USDA 3a-7b.<\/p>\n

How to grow tulips<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bellevalia forniculata<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Bellevalia forniculata<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A relative of the common muscari with intense electric-blue and turquoise flowers. Very slow to develop but worth being patient for. 15cm.<\/p>\n

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Rod and Jane Leeds<\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

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Recommended bulb suppliers<\/h2>\n

Avon Bulbs<\/a>, Burnt House Farm, Mid Lambrook, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5HE. Tel 01460 242177, avonbulbs.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Jaques Amand, The Nurseries, Clamp Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 3JS. Tel 020 8420 7110, jacquesamandintl.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Pottertons Nursery, Cottage Nursery, Moortown Road, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire LN7 6HX. Tel 01472 851714, pottertons.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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