Broadleigh Gardens Specialists in small bulbs 1995 Autumn Catalogue
BISHOPS HULL, TAUNTON, SOMERSET TA4 1 it Specialists in small bulbs Broadleigh Gardens Barr House Bishops Hull Taunton Somerset TA4 1AE Telephone Taunton (STD 01823) 286231 Fax: (01823) 323646
`Chilly Finger'd Spring' Keats, I 795-1821 I had come to the conclusion that gardening couldn't hold any more surprises for me, but the weather has rewarded my arrogance by producing what must be the strangest spring ever. We had no frost between November and March and then, just when the plants had decided it was safe to grow, a series of very severe night frosts in April. This, coupled with an unexpected period of drought following the excessive rainfall earlier is, I am afraid, going to cause some upsets in supply. With this in mind it is always helpful to have a couple of ideas for acceptable substitutes should the bulbs you want be out of stock, especially if you are trying to avoid the postage charge or gain a discount. Although the bulk of this catalogue remains unchanged as a comprehensive list of small bulbs, there are, as usual many exciting additions. Some are completely new — Iris Broadleigh Jean or Ornithogalum dubium for example — while others are old varieties appearing for the first time as stocks increase sufficiently to list them, e.g. Narcissus Peaseblossom Whilst on the subject of Californian Iris, we were pleased that one of our own new hybrids — Broadleigh Carolyn — has been given an Award of Garden Merit (AGM) after trial by the Royal Horticultural Society. At present stocks are too small to list it but it can be seen on our Chelsea stand, when we will be accepting orders. I'm afraid I must conclude with that perennial chestnut — a change of classification — but for once not a botanical one. The Post Office in its wisdom has reclassified the Channel Islands as overseas and regretfully UK inland postage rates no longer apply as they have their own tariff. Happy gardening!