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Spring to Life
By Sharon Kilby
Whilst many of us are enjoying the gentle warmth of the autumn sun here in Italy there is still much to be done in all areas of the Tuscan Garden. Olive picking season is here and this time of year is undoubtedly the busiest for most gardeners. The autumn harvest is finished and the list of outside jobs is pretty lengthy to say the least, however, one worthwhile task to address immediately is the planting of spring bulbs.
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pring in Tuscany conjures up many different and inspiring images such as the classic field of poppies, but the most endearing view in my opinion is that of hillsides covered in vivid purple irises, bold vibrant swathes of colour, and typically Tuscan. In honour of this symbolic and historically important plant the region even boasts a garden dedicated to the Iris. The Giardino dell’Iris is a botanical garden specialising in the cultivation of iris flowers, the recognisable symbol of Florence since 1251. This stunning garden is located on the corner of Viale dei Colli and Piazzale Michelangelo and is almost entirely devoted to iris plants, with more than 1,500 varieties on display during its annual competition.
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Iris reticulata are superb early flowering bulbs for spring colour. They are compact, so ideal for containers, usually about 10-15cm tall with large, tall flowering stems. You can also plant them direct into the ground to give splashes of brightness and colour. Plant them deep to get the best results and ensure a succession of flower for subsequent years. Plants range in size from the tiny Iris danfordiae which is perfect for craggy or rocky gardens to the more showy gladioli, which works well amidst flowering borders giving height and colour. Alliums thrive in this region and can give a blanket effect within informal gardens, banks, hedges and woodland areas. For height and formality regal lilies can produce highly scented
flowers on stems up to 1.8m (6ft) in height. Lawns or more natural spaces adorned with crocuses or snake’s-head fritillaries (Fritillaria meleagris) give a relaxed feel mimicking a wild habitat whilst providing early colour in the spring. One of the most covetable crocuses is of course the Saffron Crocus ‘Crocus sativus’ which has played a vital part in many cultures throughout the ages. As a perfume, saffron was strewn in Greek and Roman halls and the streets of Rome were sprinkled with saffron when Nero made his entry into the city. During the Renaissance, Venice was the most important commercial centre for saffron and during that time saffron was worth its weight in gold, and today it is still considered the most
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valuable spice in the world. Bulbs add seasonal colour and interest to mixed borders alongside annuals, shrubs and perennials. Daffodils (Narcissus), crown imperials (Fritillaria imperialis), alliums, and dahlias, all blend well with other types of planting. If you want a great balcony or courtyard display, try growing bulbs in pots. Keep it simple by planting several of the same variety packed closely together for an impressive show. For ease stick to one variety of bulb per pot as it can prove tricky getting different types of flowers to appear at the same time. If you choose your bulb selection with care
you can have a bulb in flower throughout the year. The first to appear in late winter are of course the snowdrops (Galanthus) which symbolises purity and hope and winter aconites (Eranthis). Daffodils and Narcissi are certainly the most widely recognised spring flowers and planting these in stages will prolong your flowering season. Choose from rich shades of vibrant yellow daffodils and bright red and purple tulips or if you prefer something softer opt for the same plants in pastel shades - the choice is vast for both. A gentle and uplifting variety of narcissus is the creamy hued ‘Cheerfulness’ which features blooms with a slightly ruffled texture. One of the most effective ways to bring colour into your garden is to naturalize varieties of spring flowering bulbs. Use swathes of robust plants, such as snowdrops, daffodils and crocuses, which are able to withstand competition from roots and grass. To achieve a natural random effect, toss the bulbs in the air and plant them individually where they land. For each bulb, dig out a small plug of soil or turf, two to three times the depth of the bulb. In order to save time, try planting a large number of small
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bulbs by lifting a larger piece of turf and planting a group of bulbs in the soil. After flowering and when the leaves have died down simply mow the grass. Tuscany has a wealth of bulb suppliers and it is worth buying in bulk or why not get together with friends or neighbours and place a joint order which will prove cost effective and save everybody time, another good excuse to have a get-together and enjoy a glass of Chianti. Essential bulbs to plant this autumn: t "MMJVN t $PMDIJDVN t $SPDVT (spring flowering) t $ZDMBNFO t (BMBOUIVT t )ZBDJOUIVT t -JMJVN t .VTDBSJ t /BSDJTTVT t 5VMJQB t *SJT
Bella Terra Garden Design
At Bella Terra we create gardens that work in harmony with nature. Experienced and RHS trained in classic and contemporary design, we make truly inspiring and unique living environments. Working throughout Tuscany projects include:
t $MBTTJD 5VTDBO (BSEFOT t 'BNJMZ BOE $PNNVOBM 4QBDFT t 'PSNBM ,JUDIFO (BSEFOT t )FBMJOH (BSEFOT 4BDSFE 4QBDFT t $JUZ BOE $PVSUZBSE (BSEFOT t 1FSNBDVMUVSF 0SHBOJD (BSEFOT For more info take a look at our blog: www.bellaterragardendesign.blogspot.com
#FMMB 5FSSB (BSEFO %FTJHO 5FM .PC e-mail: bellaterra@arthouse-pr.com THE TUSCAN MAGAZINE | 25