{"id":33816,"date":"2024-03-26T11:09:37","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T10:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ecade5b3-bcf6-4987-8f73-dfc14ca23975"},"modified":"2024-03-26T11:36:19","modified_gmt":"2024-03-26T10:36:19","slug":"get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers\/","title":{"rendered":"Get inspiration for intriguing bulbs to plant from this bulb-rich garden for spring created by expert growers"},"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 <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 26 March 2024 at 10:09 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>

Erythronium \u2018Joanna\u2019 – \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/figcaption><\/figure>
**You may also like<\/strong><\/p>**
**When to plant bulbs<\/a><\/li>**
**Where to buy bulbs online<\/a><\/li>**
**When to plant summer bulbs and the best to choose<\/a><\/li>**
A bulb planting plan to download<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
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>
Discover more about the garden below.<\/p>
$\"\"$
Fritillaria pallidiflora with Trillium chloropetalum and Trillium albidum and Scilla bithynica. – \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>*
$\"\"$
Rod and Jane Leeds garden, Suffolk. – \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Brick-built raised beds provide additional drainage for those bulbs that need hot and dry growing conditions.<\/p>
$\"\"$
Rod and Jane Leeds garden, Suffolk. – \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>*
*Bulbs to plant<\/h2>**Fritillaria persica<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Fritillaria persica<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A magnificent tower of dusky purple bells stands over whorls of glaucous-grey foliage. Needs shelter from wind. 70cm. USDA 5a-8b.<\/p>
**Read more about** **how to grow fritillaria<\/a><\/strong><\/p>**
*Uvularia sessilifolia<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Uvularia sessilifolia<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
**Read more about** **plants for shade<\/a><\/strong><\/p>**
*<\/i><\/h3>**Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Sundisc\u2019<\/h3>* $\"\"$
Erythronium Sundisc<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
**Here’s everything you need to know about** **growing erythronium<\/a><\/strong><\/p>**
*Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Joanna\u2019<\/h3>*
$\"\"$
Erythronium Joanna – \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
*Lithophragma parviflorum<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Lithophragma parviflorum<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A North American native perennial that is rarely grown in British gardens. Its flowers resemble those of the campion. 20cm. USDA 5a-8b.<\/p>
*Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Janice\u2019<\/h3>* $\"\"$
Erythronium \u2018Janice\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
Trillium albidum<\/em><\/h3>
$\"\"$
Trillium albidum<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
**Here’s how to grow trillium<\/a><\/strong><\/p>**
*Arum creticum<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Arum creticum<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
*Fritillaria elwesii<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Fritillaria elwesii<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
*Tulipa clusiana<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Tulipa clusiana<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
**How to grow tulips<\/a><\/strong><\/p>**
*Bellevalia forniculata<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Bellevalia forniculata<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A relative of the common muscari with intense electric-blue and turquoise flowers. Very slow to develop but worth being patient for. 15cm.<\/p>
$\"\"$
Rod and Jane Leeds<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Recommended bulb suppliers<\/h2>
Avon Bulbs<\/a>, Burnt House Farm, Mid Lambrook, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5HE. Tel 01460 242177, avonbulbs.co.uk<\/a><\/p>
Jaques Amand, The Nurseries, Clamp Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 3JS. Tel 020 8420 7110, jacquesamandintl.com<\/a><\/p>
Pottertons Nursery, Cottage Nursery, Moortown Road, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire LN7 6HX. Tel 01472 851714, pottertons.co.uk<\/a><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"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>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":33817,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"5"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-scaled.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"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","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/33816"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

Erythronium \u2018Joanna\u2019 – \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/figcaption><\/figure>
**You may also like<\/strong><\/p>**
**When to plant bulbs<\/a><\/li>**
**Where to buy bulbs online<\/a><\/li>**
**When to plant summer bulbs and the best to choose<\/a><\/li>**
A bulb planting plan to download<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
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>
Discover more about the garden below.<\/p>
$\"\"$
Fritillaria pallidiflora with Trillium chloropetalum and Trillium albidum and Scilla bithynica. – \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>*
$\"\"$
Rod and Jane Leeds garden, Suffolk. – \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Brick-built raised beds provide additional drainage for those bulbs that need hot and dry growing conditions.<\/p>
$\"\"$
Rod and Jane Leeds garden, Suffolk. – \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>*
*Bulbs to plant<\/h2>**Fritillaria persica<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Fritillaria persica<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A magnificent tower of dusky purple bells stands over whorls of glaucous-grey foliage. Needs shelter from wind. 70cm. USDA 5a-8b.<\/p>
**Read more about** **how to grow fritillaria<\/a><\/strong><\/p>**
*Uvularia sessilifolia<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Uvularia sessilifolia<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
**Read more about** **plants for shade<\/a><\/strong><\/p>**
*<\/i><\/h3>**Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Sundisc\u2019<\/h3>* $\"\"$
Erythronium Sundisc<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
**Here’s everything you need to know about** **growing erythronium<\/a><\/strong><\/p>**
*Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Joanna\u2019<\/h3>*
$\"\"$
Erythronium Joanna – \u00a9 Richard Bloom<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
*Lithophragma parviflorum<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Lithophragma parviflorum<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A North American native perennial that is rarely grown in British gardens. Its flowers resemble those of the campion. 20cm. USDA 5a-8b.<\/p>
*Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Janice\u2019<\/h3>* $\"\"$
Erythronium \u2018Janice\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
Trillium albidum<\/em><\/h3>
$\"\"$
Trillium albidum<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
**Here’s how to grow trillium<\/a><\/strong><\/p>**
*Arum creticum<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Arum creticum<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
*Fritillaria elwesii<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Fritillaria elwesii<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
*Tulipa clusiana<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Tulipa clusiana<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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>
**How to grow tulips<\/a><\/strong><\/p>**
*Bellevalia forniculata<\/em><\/h3>* $\"\"$
Bellevalia forniculata<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A relative of the common muscari with intense electric-blue and turquoise flowers. Very slow to develop but worth being patient for. 15cm.<\/p>
$\"\"$
Rod and Jane Leeds<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Recommended bulb suppliers<\/h2>
Avon Bulbs<\/a>, Burnt House Farm, Mid Lambrook, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5HE. Tel 01460 242177, avonbulbs.co.uk<\/a><\/p>
Jaques Amand, The Nurseries, Clamp Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 3JS. Tel 020 8420 7110, jacquesamandintl.com<\/a><\/p>
Pottertons Nursery, Cottage Nursery, Moortown Road, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire LN7 6HX. Tel 01472 851714, pottertons.co.uk<\/a><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"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>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":33817,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"5"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-scaled.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/03\/get-inspiration-for-intriguing-bulbs-to-plant-from-this-bulb-rich-garden-for-spring-created-by-expert-growers-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"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","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/33816"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}