These days, I’m happy with those plants that give me a little less work in the garden! No, I’m not getting lazy, nor am I falling into the camp that sees gardening as just another chore, heavens no! It’s just that I don’t have quite as much pottering time as I used to, what with work and all, and every now and then, it’s nice to have a few plants that just get on with things. This is where the naturalisers come in. You plant them, you leave them, and they return faithfully for at least a few years. Naturalising bulbs are especially great, as we all know that digging endless holes for bulbs in muddy soil in December, often in the lashing rain, is not fun. Here are a few that I love:

Tulips that keep coming back

I can’t get enough of tulips. I have met people who say they don’t like them, and when I do, I stare at them incomprehensively. I think that these generous bursts of colour are such a tonic after a typical northern European winter. Their cupped flowers seem to hold sunshine within them.

This is especially true of this Fosteriana tulip, called Sweet Valley, which is a lovely primrose yellow with deeper yolky yellow brushstrokes at the base of the petals. I have these along my front path, and I definitely need more of them. The Fosteriana groups includes the Emperor series, and you should reliably get three or four years of continuous blooming from these, as long as you give them the right conditions (sunshine, free-draining soil: improve clay with organic matter).

For some of the best naturalising tulips, go back to the wild species, known as botanical tulips. Unlike some of their overbred cultivars, these come back for years in their natural habitats. They are often smaller and less showy, but I find them really charming. One of my favourites is Tulipa turkestanica, a diminutive 30cm tall, it produces clusters of starry white flowers with cheery yellow centres in early spring: mine already look like this. They love a bit of a bake in summer and really good drainage.

Just popping up now is a citrusy orange Shogun tulip. These are also on the short side, so put them to the front of borders, or alongside paths. They can also be good in grass. So far, going strong in year two for me.

Fritillaries in pots

A bit of drama is also just what we need at this time of year, and the tall Crown Imperial, Fritillaria imperialsis have plenty of it. I love the deep purple stems, the showy nodding flowers in spicey colours, and the tufty green crowns: what a great ensemble. These got forgotten in a pot, and I was amazed to see them come back so vigorously. The good thing about growing them in pots is you can provide the good drainage they need, and also protect them from slugs which tend to nibble on them as they emerge from the ground, spoiling the foliage.

Naturalising spring-flowering perennials

Another truly trouble-free but very welcome naturaliser is the wild primrose, Primula vulgaris. These nothern European natives are also really beneficial for wildlife, providing early emerging insects with a valuable nectar source. They add splashes of colour at ground level and the flowers are edible; I often make a primrose-decorated lemon cake for Easter.

Hellebores, or christmas roses as they are sometimes called, are still going strong at this time of year. I have a little group of them on the shady side of the front path. Having them near the path means I can see their nodding flowers up close. They will interbreed and self-seed if you let them.

In the background by the way is a min dead-hedge. At this time of year, you’re probably cutting back a lot of dead growth and spent stems, so why not pile a few up like this, makes a nice habitat.

A photobombing Acer

Ok, not a naturaliser, but this little wonder always gets featured at this time of year. Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’ produces its incredible leaves so early, and in such eye-catching colours.

Meanwhile, we wait for the spring show to go on. More naturalisers are on the way, including the exuberant forget-me-nots, as well as some more traditional tulips in pots. Every day has a new surprise in store at this time of year!

Gardening Workshops

PS Got a couple of spring gardening workshops coming up for anyone reading this in Belgium:

Saturday 25 April 10.00-12.30 Gardening Masterclass for Beginners

The essential knowledge you need to get started and help your plants to thrive.

Saturday 09 May 10.00-12.30 How to Create Beautiful Borders

Design tips and tricks to make your borders look great through the year.