Anemone blanda
Color: Blue
Flowering: February - April
Height: Up to 6" (15 cm)
Family: Ranunculaceae
Anemone blanda is one of the many species of anemone. It is a pretty cup-shaped flower about 3 cms diameter comprising up to 20 narrow petals.
It is a native of the Eastern Mediterranean, but will thrive here in full or part-sun.
Allium
The flowers of Allium bulgaricum otherwise known as Nectaroscordum siculum are bell-shaped and grow in loose umbels. The stalks of the flower cluster all arise from one point like spokes of an umbrella. The color is unusual; green and purple with white edges. The bulbs are easy to grow and bloom in May and June. Deer do not bother the plants.
Cousins to onions, alliums often carry the family name and live up to it. Rosenbach onions, Allium Rosenbachianum, release a pungent aroma when cut. Deep violet blooms measure 5 inches across and grow on 2-foot leafless stems. The flowers, somewhere between rose and purple hold their form and color for three to four weeks and are excellent for both cut and dried bouquets. Allium Rosenbachianum is grown for its flowers.
Allium Moly
Color: Yellow
Flowering: June - July
Height: Up to 12" (30 cm)
Family: Liliaceae
There are many different species of Allium, some found in the wild and some cultivated specially for the garden. They vary greatly in their flowers and foliage.
Allium Moly is a native of Southern Europe. The bright yellow flowers appear in groups up to 5 cm across. Each star-shaped flower comprises six pointed petals.
The leaves are long, narrow and grey/green.
Aubrieta
Color: Purple / Lilac
Flowering: April - June
Height: Up to 4" (10 cm)
Family: Cruciferae
Aubrieta
Aubrieta is a pretty purple flower that makes a colorful show in a rockery. It is an evergreen perennial which likes a position in full sun. It prefers soil containing lime.
Crocus
Color: White, yellow or purple
Flowering: February - March
Height: Up to 6" (15 cm)
Family: Iridaceae
Like the snowdrop, the crocus is another harbinger of spring. However, there are many different species, some of which flower in the autumn. The spice, saffron comes from the autumn flowering variety.
Crocuses are quite tolerant and can grow in almost any soil. However, it should be well drained and preferably sunny. They look good in flowerbeds and rock gardens but can also be planted in a lawn providing a splash of color before the mowing season starts.
The flowers are goblet-shaped comprising six petals which open wide in the sunshine, closing up when the sun goes in.
Narcissus
Color: Yellow / Cream / White
Flowering: January - March
Height: Up to 18" (45 cm)
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Daffodil
Daffodils are part of the Narcissus family. They are one of the most popular spring flowers in Britain.
Comprising six petals and a central trumpet, daffodils/narcissi are a very distinctive sign of spring. They come in many variations of size and colour from almost white to orange with varying shades of yellow in between. The yellow narcissi with a large central trumpet are more usually known as daffodils.
The bulbs are usually planted in the autumn to flower the following spring, but they can be left in the ground to reappear year after year. Many of the daffodils in our garden seem to have seeded themselves and provide a pretty display in the grass before the mowing season begins.
After flowering, leave the foliage to die back before trimming off the leaves.
Heather
Erica vagans
Color: Pink / purple
Flowering: July - September
Height: Up to 2.5' (80 cm)
Family: Ericaceae
The tiny florets are pinkish purple and grow in spikes on the topmost shoots.
The flowers are very attractive to bees and other flying insects.
Barren Strawberry
Potentilla sterilis
Color: White
Flowering: Feb - May
Height: Up to 6" (15 cm)
Family: Rosaceae
Barren Strawberry has five white petals which are separated to show the green sepals behind.
The leaves are dull, hairy and tri-foliate with serrated edges. The tooth at the end of the leaf is shorter than the other teeth, giving the leaf a more rounded appearance.
As its name suggests, the Barren Strawberry does not have the edible fruits of other strawberries. It is found in woodland and scrub.
The Barren Strawberry is very similar to the Wild Strawberry. However, the petals and leaves of the Wild Strawberry are larger and the petals touch each other. The leaves of the Wild Strawberry are bright and glossy.
Birdsfoot Trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Colour: Yellow
Flowering: June - September
Height: Up to 15" (40 cm)
Family: Leguminoseae
Sometimes called Lady's Fingers, Birdsfoot Trefoil is a common perennial which thrives in short grassland and on roadsides. It is often found with clovers in pastures and is very drought-resistant.
The flower heads (up to 15 mm long) are made up of 4 to 6 yellow flowers on long stalks and sometimes streaked with red.
English Bluebell
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Color: Violet Blue
Flowering: April-May
Height: 6 - 15" (15 - 40 cm)
Family: Liliaceane
The bluebell is commonly found in deciduous woodland, especially in oak and beech woods.
English bluebells is under threat from the Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica). A hybrid (a cross between the English and Spanish bluebell), has been cross-breeding with the native species and threatening its existence.
It is now illegal to collect native bluebells from the wild for sale.
