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Setting up the stand in the driving rain at this year's Rare & Special Plant Show was hardly the moment for real artistry. A dozen varieties of allium: so 'know your onions' was our call, through the rain curtain. But even in the conditions, the brilliant purple of Allium 'Purple Sensation' was a perfect foil to the cool yellow of Roscoea cautleyoides. Try it and see for yourself.
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On a cold frosty day it seems almost indecent to enter the glasshouse and see candles of brilliant red, orange, green, and pink flowers gleaming away, but that is what Lachenalia can do for you. I like L. aloides var. quadricolor best for its traffic-light colours, but L. pendula is an even stronger grower. Back outside a mass of palest blue Scilla mischtschenkoana perfectly complement the pink and carmine flowers of hardy cyclamen. This scilla, if you don't know it, is easy and affordable, and the RHS gave it an AGM the other year; between the plant and true fame stands only its name.
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On days as dark, wet and windy as today (30 November), which of our bulbs is still flowering? Outside Schizostylis coccinea 'Mrs Hegarty', Cyclamen cilicium, Crocus longiflorus and early snowdrops lured up early by the mild Autumn. Under glass Lachenalia pendula. Cheery pink is the main theme.
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This year 5 Galanthus elwesii in flower before the end of October, 10 weeks early.
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A cold spell in March and the baking weather in June made for a shorter growing season for Spring-flowering bulbs. The growers could hardly break the ground to lift the bulbs in June, then in July downpours hampered the drying and sorting. This has reduced supply considerably and hence prices on the bulb marked have increased markedly, with some varieties up over 50% since the season begun.
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We hope you like the new look website. You asked for more choice so now we have over 100 bulbs to choose from. We've also included more of the Plant Histories, Illustrations & Growing Notes which help bring out what is special about these Heritage Bulbs. Let us know what you think - alex@heritagebulbs.com
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Tall calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) and Watsonia 'Apricot Queen') were the top new combination - same height, sunshine colours.
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