Sternbergia

p6

Anemone White Splendour

p14

Camassia caerulea

p16

Convallaria Golden Slippers p18

Iris Katharine’s Gold

Mail Order Catalogue p31 Autumn 2019

Tulipa Antoinette and to flower in the spring

Telephone 01460 242177 www.avonbulbs.co.uk p50 ) only Orderssent (overUK free mainland £100 of P&P are Winners of… 30 Gold Medals at Chelsea in 31 years Avon bulbs contacts Email: Welcome [email protected] Thank you for requesting a catalogue, if this is your Web: first time to receive one from us and to all those www.avonbulbs.co.uk others (and they are in a big majority) who continue Tel: to receive them thank you too, because that means 01460 242177 that you have purchased bulbs by mail order from us 01460 249060 recently and hopefully will want to do so again. Our post purchase surveys indicate that we provide a high level of satisfaction, but we are very aware Burnt House Farm Mid Lambrook that anyone in business relies on their reputation and customer service and our South Petherton, intention is that both of these will only continue to improve at Avon Bulbs. Somerset TA13 5HE The last year has been one of consolidation. Our decision to drop out from the Chelsea Flower Show in 2018 allowed us more time, at a critical moment for gardeners, to grow more ourselves and to improve on our other shows. We did not miss the pressure and disruption that came with that event, so we have probably found a happier path. We continued to make a big effort at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival in May and the photos below show what we provided as a spectacle there, with the aid of Aberystwyth University who provided some microscopic images of structures in the bulbs that we were showing, along the theme of the show “Through Late the Lens”. Availability In a time of what should be increased awareness of such matters we do keep an and Website eye out on what is our Environmental ‘footprint’. We do not claim to be ‘organic’ in The website now contains a great our production but manage with very little in the way of chemical sprays. We reuse deal more information about all as much material as we can and recycle all our broken plastic pots and much of the bulbs we offer, their history our waste horticultural plastic which go to a business in the UK who make them into and provenance and more about other products such as house signs. It is well known that buying bare root or dormant the planting situations that suit plants (such as bulbs) generates much less waste than that created in buying plants them, as well as a repeat of the in pots. Some suppliers will tell you that their bulbs are all neonicotinoid free planting instructions supplied but discussions with colleagues in The Netherlands leaves me sceptical of this with the bulbs. claim for bulbs sourced there. We source many of the bulbs that we do not grow ourselves from The Netherlands and although there is a move towards banning such If there is not enough information insecticides it has not happened there yet and we are too small to have any influence here for your needs, do have ourselves. We do keep (healthy) bees and the nursery now probably has a couple of a look there instead. We also hundred mature trees on it, when we arrived 30 years ago it only had one! mark bulbs as ‘Sold Out’ on the Successful Gardening! Chris Ireland-Jones website when they become Sold Out, so if you are ordering later in the season and want to check on availability you might like to check the website.

Also if we have small numbers of ‘special’ bulbs to sell we do tend to offer them on the website – check the Special Offers pages.

Pollen grains on the sticky surface of a Daffodil Higher power view of a xylem vessel. stigma showing spores. x1k magnification x3k magnification ii Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Late Summer 2019 Plants and Bulbs that mostly flower in the autumn, soon after planting, or else items that just prefer early planting.

We aim to deliver orders made from this section mid Aug to early September and will close this section in mid September. Please use the order form at the end of this section. Photo credit: GAP Images

Colchicum autumnale p album Colchicum speciosum album Photo credit: GAP Images p Colchicum autumnale

Amaryllis x amarygia parkeri alba Acis autumnalis 106-10 Slender wiry green or russety coloured stems, carrying delicate looking white papery bells. They Acis autumnalis were thought to be autumn flowering forms of the snowflake family but are now in a distinct Colchicum group of their own, ideal for a Photo credit: GAP Images trough or container that stays that Easy to grow in good, deep p much drier. the bulbs (only moisture retentive soil, these Colchicum SPECIOSum Colchicum INNOCENCE the size of large peas) 3” (7.5cm) appear from their summer deep, nearly touching. dormancy without their leaves Aug/Sept • 9” (22cm) to flower in the autumn – hence £7.50 for 5 their common name of ‘naked autumnale speciosum 73-15 ladies’. A pointer to the end of album 73-06 The best of the larger forms for summer, their bright flowers last The white-flowered form of the most gardens, and it spreads and incredibly well considering their species above, although some naturalises effectively. Stronger apparent fragility. The leaves Amaryllis (and their hybrids) stemmed (and later flowering) than C. appear in the early spring. are pinkish-white. They tolerate are winter growing, hence with autumnale with longer flower stems They need planting 3” (8cm) full sun but are especially useful exposed leaves in winter they do deep - perhaps a little more for in some shade in damper, but not and more richly coloured with thicker, need to be planted in a sheltered ones with bigger bulbs – and 6” waterlogged conditions. rounded, rosy pink-lilac petals. site where they are likely not (15cm) apart. They will naturalise Sept • 6” (15cm) Sept/Oct • 8” (20cm) to be chilled below about -4°C. effectively, but the mower will £9.00 for 3 £11.50 for 3 A cool conservatory should have to be restrained until the be fine, with the pots moved leaves wither away in June. outside in the early spring. A byzantinum speciosum Please order early – after the end summer baking in dry conditions Innocence 73-25 album 73-16 of September they seem to flower ‘ripens and primes’ the bulbs for Gorgeous shimmering goblets in regardless of the conditions. Thickly textured goblet shaped flowering. In favoured spots one flowers in white with purple tips pure white. A very special plant may be possible to grow them to the very ends of the petals and which could be the highlight of a successfully outside. autumnale 73-05 styles. Big bulbs which provide an carefully chosen planting scheme Softly, satin-sheened in mauve. eye-catching combination when they in fertile soil, ideally where it is not X Amarygia They naturalise most effectively come to flower. too dark in the spring, but they parkeri alba 56-10 either in sun or partial shade where Sept • 6” (15cm) could help brighten up a shady they often produce several flowers A hybrid between Amaryllis and £6.00 each or £17.00 for 3 corner in the autumn. At the end of from each corm. An easy British Brunsvigia producing very large the 19th Century the famous firm of native known as Meadow Saffron, bulbs. Flowering with apple-white Backhouse in Yorkshire were selling Wychwood Forest has thousands trumpets with a huge perfume them for 5 Guineas each! Worth flowering each autumn. arranged all around a green stem. every penny now! Sept • 6” (15cm) Sept/Oct • 8” (20cm) Sept/Oct • 20” (50cm) £12.00 for 3 £13.00 for 3 £8.75

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 1 Cyclamen coum silver leaf Cyclamen coum

Colchicum Waterlily Cyclamen coum roseum Cyclamen coum dark pink Cyclamen coum album

Water-Lily 73-23 SPRING coum dark pink A multi-petalled variety which FLOWERING 51-131 opens out widely in the sun with Tubers that have been selected for multiple flower stems, flowering FORMS their dark pink flowers. somewhat later than the others. £14.00 for 3 Surprisingly resilient to the weather despite its appearance. coum 51-116 repandum 51-129 Oct • 6” (15cm) In their first or second flowering £13.00 for 3 Better in more sheltered conditions season these were not graded for and certainly needing more colour in the spring so may be white shade and leaf mould in the soil Cyclamen or pink flowered but will be generally where they need to be planted smaller in size than the colour more deeply. Only properly hardy These are all hardy, tough and selected forms of C. coum below in the south, though special perennial and once established which are all a year older. circumstances may affect that will seed about. If you can plant £15.00 for 5 them early (as a consequence of generalisation, small bulbs which Cyclamen repandum ordering from this section) these need careful handling - I feel that Cyclamen will arrive dormant coum roseum 51-117 I am using too many caveats! The and ready to pop in and awake Graded for flower colour in the spring positives are many - they provide in their new circumstances. You so these are larger tubered and all spicily fragrant, deep carmine coum may order them also from the will show pale pink flowers with the coloured flowers in late spring and Silver Leaf 51-119 Autumn section, but by then there like the others do set seed and characteristically darker ‘nose’. The rounded leaves are largely will probably be some growth £14.00 for 3 spread where happy. silvery patterned so a few tubers visible on them. These are all April/May seed raised in the UK. £5.40 each or £15.00 for 3 planted amongst others with more coum album 51-118 green leaves increases the variety White flowered, but even the white of the green tapestry, their flowers ones have a dark pink ‘nose’. are mostly pink. £14.00 for 3 £16.50 for 3

2 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Cyclamen hederifolium ligusticus (medius) album Crocus boryi Crocus goulimyi

Cyclamen hederifolium silver leaf

Cyclamen hederifolium

autumn crocus – flowering autumn forms flowering Flowering in the late autumn hederifolium (except for one that flowers Crocus sativus in the very early spring) these 51-107 bulbs bloom as a reaction to the These tubers may not have lowering of the soil temperatures flowered last autumn so flowering (and the dampening of the soil) goulimyi 77-36 sativus 77-20 for the first time may be pink or in the early autumn. The spring Too Grecian in origin for ‘ordinary’ The source of Saffron, gathered white (the pink will dominate). The flowering forms (listed in the outdoor conditions in the UK, but from collecting the bright red petals sweep up and away from Autumn section of our catalogue) in well drained compost in a pot stigmata from each flower, flower as soil temperatures the flower and in the spring (and for to which you can provide some individually tiny (half a million per rise. Some of these are more much of the year after) the ground protection (with a dry summer kilo!) justifying the huge cost of will be carpeted in their ivy-leaf difficult to grow than others, but what is probably the easiest - C. rest) these are beautiful flowers in Saffron. They need deep planting shaped leaves. both their shape and their soft lilac in rich soil, in a sunny position and £14.00 for 5 speciosus, should be a feature of any garden providing a dreamy colouration. Stock limited. probably need lifting and dividing violet splash of colour in late Nov • 5” (12cm) with regularity to encourage Cyclamen repandum hederifolium September and October. £7.00 for 3 flowering. Their flower production is album 51-108 triggered by suddenly colder nights, Selected white flowering tubers boryi 77-40 ligusticus our maritime climate sometimes does not provide that, which makes which are especially good for A Mediterranean beauty probably (medius) 77-41 guaranteeing one’s own Saffron illuminating darker conditions. best potted and protected over Found in the wild at altitude in the production a bit uncertain. £12.50 for 3 winter here, that way you can also southern maritime Alps of France Oct • 4” (10cm) give them a warm dry summer rest and Italy these are pale purple or £15.00 for 30 hederifolium which they need. White flowered lilac in flower with protruding orange silver leaf 51-132 with pretty orange style branches. feathery stigmas much like those The completely ghostly-silver Rare and stock limited. of C. sativus. Suitable for near foliage effect is outstanding, literally. Nov • 5” (12cm) deciduous shrubs or in light grass. £13.00 for 3 £8.00 for 3 Oct • 5” (12cm) £5.50 for 10

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 3 Crocus speciosus albus Crocus tournefortii Gladiolus tristis

Crocus speciosus Cypripedium Gisela Hippeastrum x acramannii speciosus 77-26 tournefortii 77-38 Gladiolus Hippeastrum The best autumn crocus. Large flowered in pale lavender, Dramatically effective, deep lilac sometimes white. Strangely the tristis 88-15 x acramannii to purple hues, with bright yellow flowers do not close in dull light or Native to South Africa, but grown here 56-14 anthers. Good in light shade or at night. Cretan in origin so they this is a very special winter growing The spelling of acramannii is in some under deciduous shrubs, or in require some shelter. Gladiolus with a wonderful scent in the doubt, could it be ackermannii? light grass, planted deeply. They Sept/Oct • 5” (12cm) evenings. It really needs a sheltered Having been shown a private will flower later than suggested £8.00 for 3 site, providing protection from greenhouse full of these bulbs in in their first year, consequent to temperatures lower than about -5°C as flower many years ago near Taunton them having been out of the soil they are in leaf through January and and admired them hugely (only later and dried off in this summer. Do Cypripedium February. The 5-20 apple white flowers to find that the owner had passed get enough of them! Suggested Gisela 64-07 open progressively up the long rush- away and his greenhouse had been planting density 15 per sq ft. like stems, and produce a generous Perfect in spring light and summer demolished shortly afterward) it was Sept/Oct • 5” (12cm) seed set. shade in fertile soil. Hardy orchids much later that I was offered a stock £4.50 for 15 or £13.50 for 50 April/May • 3’ (90cm) are now becoming more widely £15.00 for 3 from the Isle of Man and jumped at speciosus available and our stocks of these the second opportunity. These multiply are very good. Some of these well under unheated glass for us, but albus 77-27 divisions will produce several reading about them I find that others All white flowered, great for a flower spikes in their first spring. Insect friendly suggest that they are hardier than one contrast amongst the others or a They do not need cossetting, they Plants anticipates, confirmed by letters from bright creamy white splash all on are hardy and in fact they need much more northern growers. They their own. a cold spell to form their flowers. are early autumn flowering in red and Sept/Oct • 5” (12cm) The price has remained the same We believe the plants where we green and are in leaf all winter, more £6.00 for 15 this year as our stocks are good, have highlighted the name in dormant in summer. grab a bargain. More growing yellow to be particularly beneficial Sept • 18” (45cm) instructions on the website. to pollinating insects such as bees, £13.00 April/May • 18” (45cm) butterflies, moths and hover flies. £15.00 or £40.00 for 3

4 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Photo credit: GAP Images p Hyacinth White Pearl Iris tuberosa cyclamineus

Hyacinth Pink Pearl Lilium candidum Hyacinth Delft Blue prepared White Pearl 86-34 lilium cyclamineus 113-179 Strong-growing, broad, gleaming An iconic small species, one that hyacinths white flowers. candidum 107-114 is much loved and sought after For December/January blooming £4.20 for 3 or £8.80 for 7 Like the Hermodactylus across, a by many, but they rarely do well in when potted. These are suitable plant that is better started off early, warm, dry, limey soils. Neutral to for forcing for Christmas and inevitably the first orders get acid soils suit them better, moist flowering. To achieve this they Iris tuberosa the pick of the crop, so ordering in spring and more shaded in need to be potted by the end of (Hermodactylus) from this section has its benefits. summer. Grow them where they will September (hence they are sold See page 33 of the Autumn be happy and seed about. in this late summer section), 103-110 Catalogue for more details. March • 5” (12cm) and grown in a cool, dark The ’Widow Iris’ does better from June • 36” (90cm) £3.50 place initially to allow rooting. early planting, and if you have tried £6.50 or £18.00 for 3 They can then be brought into before with limited success, we do Plants we list which more light once they have have received the RHS suggest that you add some of these emerged through the compost. narcissus Commendation ‘Award Temperature control is critical as to a Late Summer order and try of Garden Merit’ are now Also see the main Autumn tagged with the trophy too much heat will make them again. Alternatively see page 32 of Catalogue pages 36-40 for the symbol. Space does flop. The process of preparation the Autumn Catalogue. Translucent main listing. These either need not allow us to add the hardiness means that these are not black and jade-green flowers are rating – please be aware the award early planting (N. cyclamineus) or available until early September. preceded by long rush-like leaves. applies to the ease of cultivation, They require time to establish and could provide a very early display excellence and constitution, but not from bulbs potted early (Ziva). necessarily hardiness. Delft Blue 86-05 flower better in the spring following a hot summer. They love growing A compact, pale blue spike set off around heat absorbing sun- by the emerging dark green leaves. £4.20 for 3 or £8.80 for 7 drenched paving, or at the base of a warm wall in the sun. Calling all Galanthophiles... If you are April • 6” (15cm) a Galanthophile do call us to get your name added to the list Pink Pearl 86-35 £6.00 for 10 to receive our list of rare snowdrops when they are dormant in Delicately pink, and like the others Aug. This is only sent out as an email. (If you already regularly deliciously fragrant. receive this list there is no need to call!) £4.20 for 3 or £8.80 for 7

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 5 Narcissus double roman Narcissus paperwhite Ziva

Nerine flexuosa alba

sternbergia lutea Scilla autumnalis angustifolia

Double Roman 113-57 nerine These have romped away in an unheated greenhouse where they flexuosa flower early in the year with a alba 33-23 heady perfume. An early flowering A winter growing species (all and probably ancient form of N. the others we grow are summer tazetta. They could be grown as an growing) so these require a bit Tecophilaea c. leichtlinii alternative to Paperwhites, but like more shelter. The frilly white petals them will get tall and leggy in low light however last ages in flower and but the scent is less overpowering. in sheltered gardens are a treat in Jan/Feb • 15” (38cm) the autumn. Sternbergia tecophilaea £6.00 for 5 Sept/Oct • 14” (35cm) Chilean bulbs from a high £8.50 for 3 Sternbergia lutea altitude, so one would expect Paperwhite angustifolia them to be cold tolerant, Ziva 113-152 scilla 126-06 but where they come from is Early to flower from being forced; For warm conditions and often relatively dry, and our winters we reckon on about eight to ten autumnalis 125-18 found at the base of a wall and are really too wet for them. If you can grow them under some weeks to bloom from potting, so Hardy, but uncommon small bulbed under a shrub that provides work your potting date out from summer dryness, ours are half protection (particularly from rain) natives of the south-west, these and you’ll be amazed by the when you want them in flower. under a big Sarcococca. Chalky are incredibly long-lasting in flower. depth of colour in the flowers. White flowered and multi-headed, Bright blue flowers up a fine wiry soil and good drainage suits them Their blue is like the dazzling with a huge room filling perfume. stem, lasting ages. They need a perfectly. Brilliant bright green displays produced by some Grow them in good light and at sunny, well-drained soil. foliage in late summer and winter exotic butterflies. cool temperatures without freezing Aug/Oct • 5” (12cm) and late summer flowering in so they don’t get too tall, only £7.00 for 3 brilliant yellow. The angustifolia bringing them in to admire at room group are shorter tubed and a bit cyanocrocus temperatures for their final flourish. less goblet shaped than S. lutea. leichtlinii 128-04 Not reliably hardy. Home grown stock. White centred with gentian blue petals. Dec/Jan • 15” (38cm) Oct 4” (10 cm) March • 5” (12cm) £7.50 for 5 or £9.50 for 7 £4.50 or 3 for £12.00 £10.50 for 3

6 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Order for Late Summer Despatch 2019 Bulbs that need Early Planting this Autumn Please specify plants and costs here, and complete the other side of the form

Stock Price & No of £ ref. no. Plant name Pack Sz Packs

106-10 Acis autumnale (EXAMPLE ONLY) 7.50/5 2 15.00

Tecophilaea cyanocrocus violacea

Tropaeolum tricolor

cyanocrocus violacea 128-06 Amazingly brilliant dark blue petalled. March • 5” (12cm) £10.50 for 3 subtotal tropaeolum The normal postage and packing costs on any carriage A winter-growing form of these climbing Late Summer Order is £4.95 (UK Mainland only) plants, they start to grow in late September Orders over £100 are sent free of P&P total and flower in late spring. They are not hardy if they experience temperatures below about -5°C, but can be grown in pots with The example at the top shows the information we need – in particular, the reference number something to climb up and then protected given beside the plant name in the catalogue during only the very coldest weather they are actually happier grown somewhere cool If possible, specify acceptable alternatives in case some of your choices are not available rather than too warm. If you want your order to be sent as a gift to someone else (invoice to you), tick the box and put the tricolor 47-06 recipient’s name and address and postcode in the space provided in Other Delivery Instructions.. Exhibiting shoals of stunning red, black and Is this an order for collection? yellow flowers that last ages in flower. A climber Is it a gift? that starts into growth very early in the autumn so early ordering is a must. One of the most spectacular plants that we sell, and a favourite of mine. Spring • climbing up to 4’ (120cm) Please record personal and payment details overleaf £4.50 or £12.00 for 3

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 7 GDPR The new rules on Data Protection that came Order for Late Summer Despatch 2019 into force in May 2018 apply to everyone Bulbs that need Early Planting this Autumn storing and using your personal data. We collect information about you when you register with us or place an order for products or services. We also collect information when you voluntarily complete Office use only: customer surveys, provide feedback and participate in competitions. Website usage Date received: Order No: information is collected using cookies. Although we take payment details when Avon Bulbs Ltd • Burnt House Farm • Mid Lambrook you place an order, these details are held South Petherton • Somerset • TA13 5HE by our payment processor WorldPay and only an encrypted “token” is sent back to Avon Bulbs. The card number data remains Title: Mr Mrs Miss Other ______securely stored on WorldPay’s PCI Level 1 Name: ______Compliant servers. We only have access to the last four digits of your payment card for House Name/No: ______identification purposes. Avon Bulbs has a formal agreement with WorldPay to accept Street: ______payments on our behalf. Any information Town: ______that is submitted to WorldPay is used solely for the purpose of completing your County: ______transaction with Avon Bulbs. ______Postcode ______Country: We collect information about you to process Contact Number: your order, manage your account and to enable us to contact you if there is a Tel:______Mob:______problem with your order or delivery. We use Email address: ______your information collected from the website to personalise your repeat visits to our website. In processing your order, we will share your name and address and email Other Delivery Instructions/Safeplace leaving: ______address/ telephone number with Royal Mail ______and DPD Local to facilitate delivery. These

______companies are also GDPR compliant. ______We will hold Information about services or products that we have provided to you in the ______past, including the service(s) or product(s) ______provided, when and where, the amount that you paid, billing address and where ______the item was sent (if applicable), and any ______other information required to process a transaction. We will retain your information for as long as is required to provide you with Please complete these questions (We now need your permission to stay in touch, a good service whenever you contact us except with regard to this order) regarding past orders. By Post: Are you happy to receive our printed catalogues in the future? Yes No Once you are a customer or have requested an Avon Bulbs catalogue, we will send you By Email: Do you wish to receive occasional emailed Newsletter from us along with any further catalogues in the post from time Special Offers? Yes No to time, which is allowed under the GDPR (We will not sell or pass on any contact details except to manage your order (see regulations as a ‘legitimate interest’. You can, of course, contact us and request that GDPR information across) we stop sending you direct mail. If you are a new customer and give your permission Payment: or if you subscribe to (and thereby give your consent to receive) our newsletter via the Orders are not accepted without payment except by prior agreement. Avon Bulbs website, we may occasionally Please include payment or please charge my Visa/Mastercard account. email you about our products and services that we think may be of interest to you. You Cheque enclosed Yes, value £ ______, or can unsubscribe to these marketing emails Card No. . . . by following the UNSUBSCRIBE link at the bottom of each email. If you have consented Valid from date / Card expiry date / to receive marketing information, you may opt out at any time by contacting us. You Security code (last three digits on reverse of card) have the right at any time to stop us from contacting you for marketing purposes. You can now update your mailing preferences through your website account. Signature ______

8 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Autumn 2019 Plants and Bulbs to plant in the Autumn, mostly to flower the following spring. Despatch of these items begins in early to mid September with the intention of sending everything on your order in one parcel. For further information see the ‘Ordering from Avon Bulbs’ section at the back. allium Alliums are always welcome to gardeners in the early summer as the flowers offer height and distinction when most gardens are not quite so colourful. Their exclamation mark shape differentiates them from the plants around them, and those companion plants in turn ‘hide’ what is sometimes distracting foliage, which (in most of these Alliums) is beginning to yellow at flowering time. They are generally plants of sunny and well-drained soils, and can be used either in dramatic eye-catching sweeps, or else, in a more cottagey style, in isolated small groups to equally good effect. Everyone seems to love Alliums and, knowing that the beneficial insects and bees are struggling nowadays, it is worth a reminder Allium that Alliums provide a fantastic food supply for those insects, especially the late flowering forms. Our beds of A. angulosum, allium cristophii allium cernuum A.glaucum and A. tuberosum shimmer with activity on sunny summer days. Try out a number of different forms to see which do best in your circumstances? The results of a trial over the past 3 years at Wisley have been published in a useful booklet called the RHS Grower Guide on Ornamental Onions. Ambassador 53-60 Beginning to flower in late May these flowers should see one through all of June and into July allium angulosum with very tall stems topped by their mid purple heads about 6” (15cm) across. Very big bulbed plants allium cæruleum Allium ambassador benefitting from deep planting to angulosum ensure that the stems remain firmly (pyrenaicum) 53-28 upright. Good seed heads follow the main flower show. Wonderfully easy to grow plants. cernuum 53-04 cristophii 53-11 June/ July • up to 50” (130 cm) Bright glossy green leaved with lots Dainty chandeliers formed of dozens If you only ever buy two or three £5.00 or £14.00 for 3 of pale lilac flowers in the height of small claret pink flowers hanging Alliums, this must be one of them. of summer when butterflies and off the nodding stem so the bees Sculptural flower heads, initially hoverflies jostle to feed on them. have to hang upside down to get greenish purple, are gradually We supply small clumps to be at the flowers, sometimes several transformed as they are pollenated planted 9” (22cm) apart, in the sun heads form in a succession. Easy into metallic silvery-violet coloured Insect friendly where it is not too dry. Divide them to grow and seeding themselves in spheres about 8” (20cm) across, again when they are thick. lighter soils in the sun. Delivered as all borne on quite stocky stems. Plants July/Aug • 12” (30cm) fresh dug flowering size plants rather The round melon sized heads £7.00 for 3 - (divisions, not true bulbs) than bulbs. naturally complement the purples We believe the plants where we Summer • 18” (45cm) of rampant geraniums or the spikier have highlighted the name in £7.50 for 5 silvery blues of Lavender. Buff yellow to be particularly beneficial cæruleum 53-14 coloured seed heads follow. Plant to pollinating insects such as bees, Unusual blue flowered drumstick them 8+” (20cm) apart in sunny butterflies, moths and hover flies. flowers originating from the steppes well drained soils in borders or of Russia and China. They will do even rough grass, they will also best in a well drained sunny spot or grow in a degree of shade, but will rockery where the small bulbs can be taller. be planted quite closely, only 1-2” June • 10-24” (25-60cm) (2.5-5cm) apart. £2.70 for 3, £8.20 for 10 June • 18” (45cm) or £14.60 for 20 £4.50 for 15

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 9 Photo credit: GAP Images p Allium GLOBEmaster Allium hollandicum Allium giganteum Photo credit: GAP Images p Allium His Excellency Allium Early Emperor Allium gladiator

Early Gladiator 53-55 Globemaster 53-46 hollandicum 53-08 Emperor 53-68 With rounded, slightly domed Probably the best of the large Best for bigger gardens, or where The parentage of this hybrid flowers this is a solid garden headed Allium hybrids with ever you might want a more subtle means that while it is still a big worthy hybrid between A. exceptionally long lasting flowers. and textured display. They provide flower at about 6” (15cm) across. aflatunense and A.macleanii. The The first array is replaced by that irregularity in colour, height, It flowers rather earlier than the flowers are sweetly scented in a another second flush of their deep size and maturity which adds other large headed Alliums and it pinkish purple shade on strong violet-purple flowers. The insects subtlety and charm to any planting, is not quite so tall. The flowers are stems leaving an attractive residual still love to feed on them, although especially one on a bigger scale. rosy lilac with contrasting silvery seedhead. Easy, increasing and despite their attentions you’ll not be Deep lilac to pale purple flowers white providing a halo supplied as big bulbs these always left with a remnant seed head as about the size of an orange. Easy like sheen. flower and last well. they are sterile. Tidier leaved than in any free draining soil in the sun, May • 30” (75cm) June • 40” (100 cm) most, even at flowering time. Plant planted about 6” (15cm) apart. £10.00 for 3 £10.50 for 3 them about 12” (45cm) apart in well May/ June • 24-36” (60-90cm). drained soils in good light. Great £3.80 for 5, £7.00 for 10 giganteum 53-20 planted with Astrantia ‘Roma’. or £13.00 for 20 Densely filled heads in pale purple May/June • 40” (100cm) £6.00 each or £16.50 for 3 the size of a grapefruit top each tall bare stem. A central Asian species requiring well-drained His Excellency 53-69 Insect friendly Violet purple heads about 5” across soils and a sunny site, by the time Plants that they flower the leaves have (12cm) on clean long tall stems mostly withered away. Its name is June 48” • (120cm) £9.00 for 3 a reference to its impressive height We believe the plants where we rather than to an enormous flower. See the have highlighted the name in Late June/July • 48” (120cm) yellow to be particularly beneficial £13.80 for 3 Allium Collection to pollinating insects such as bees, on page 58 butterflies, moths and hover flies.

10 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Allium Nigrum Pink Jewel Allium nigrum Allium Mount Everest Photo credit: GAP Images p Allium ivory queen Allium Purple Sensation allium hyalinum hollandicum Purple hyalinum 53-70 mount everest nigrum Sensation 53-09 A species from California where it 53-43 (multibulbosum) 53-24 An intensely deep purple coloured grows on shady canyon slopes in Probably the best tall white flowered Greeny-black ovaries in the centre strain, with heads the size of small the Sierra Nevada around 1200m. Allium. Grapefruit sized heads of each floret provide the reason for oranges. Another of that select Star shaped flowers in pale pink top a tall glossy green stem. The the name, though the suggestion of group of those ‘must have’ Alliums. with grey, rather limp leaves, but leaves persist, so are not too blackness somehow does not sit so They provide purple polka dots very floriferous. They need good obtrusive at flowering time. Lovely well on what is otherwise a creamy to your planting scheme, adding drainage and drier summer rest. when combined with other strong white flower! The flower head shape colour, texture and geometric Naturally small bulbs setting lots coloured flowers such as Gladiolus is less rounded and more flattened silhouettes to your borders. Derived of seed. They survived last winter byzantinus, and ideally planted and they are easily grown in from a clone these should all be the outside and have had no ill effects. against a dark backdrop, though sunny well-drained soils with a dry same hue. The RHS trial reported May • 12” (30cm) summer rest. £6.00 for 10 some planted in the dappled on them “an excellent performance shade of a Laburnum are great, we June • 24” (60cm) and is reliably perennial”. suggest that they are planted about £5.00 for 5 or £9.00 for 10 May/ June • 35” (90cm) karataviense 12” (30cm) apart. £4.80 for 5, £9.00 for 10 or Ivory Queen 53-23 May/June • 36” (90cm) nigrum £16.50 for 20 A selected form of A. karataviense. £10.50 for 3 or £16.50 for 5 pink jewel 53-65 These are similarly very broad A pale pink form of the plant above, leaved and grow close to the one which was much admired in the ground with a pale margin around earlier Allium trials at RHS Wisley the leaf and an apple-white flower. in 2014. Large domed pale pink Their best use is in full sun on a heads with dark centres. raised bed or rockery where the May/June • 36” (90cm) foliage provides a very metallic £4.00 each looking and modern effect long before (and after) the flowers. May/June • 10” (25cm) £4.50 for 3 or £12.60 for 9

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 11 Allium obliquum Allium schubertii Allium Powder Puff

Allium Purple Rain

obliquum 53-26 Powder Puff 53-66 These are Siberian in origin so are A broad leaved allium with violet incredibly tough despite being in purple flowers about the size leaf all winter. They never really of a tennis ball held on much seem to be fully dormant. Their shorter stems than would normally flowers are the size of large hens’ be expected for an Allium with eggs in June when they eventually this size of head. It is a hybrid Allium Pinball Wizard straighten from their crook like between A. nevskianum and A. stature to stand erect, greenish- sarawschanicum, both from Central yellow in colour and increasingly Asia. Great for windy sites. The ‘fluffy’. They set lots of seed as well RHS trial reported on them that they Purple Rain 53-67 schubertii 53-31 as forming clumps in time. “bulked up well, one of the best in A product of the cross between Spectacular and eccentric. June • 24” (60cm) the trial, great for patios or the front A. Purple Sensation (from which Emerging early in the late winter £9.50 for 3 of the border”. it gains its height and deeper these are at some risk in extreme May/June • 15” (35cm) colouration) and A. cristophii (which winters but when planted in a warm Pinball Wizard 53-61 £4.50 for 3 gives it the open structure) with sunny garden and given a dry Fully 6” (15 cm) across, these heads about 6” (15cm) across. warm summer rest following their heads are not as densely packed With such popular and eminent flowering they can be fabulous. Like with flowers as those of A. parentage these should be superior a tumbleweed, the long spokes are Globemaster, so the effect is rather Insect friendly and indeed they performed what they might roll away on when more ‘fluffy’ but they are slightly superbly well in the Allium trials at dry, the seeds held on the shorter taller with thick weather resisting Plants Wisley and were judged “the best extensions. A vegetable explosion stems. The flowers are a mid purple in the trial”. or firework caught mid burst! and a bit earlier flowering than June (later than Purple Sensation) June • 18” (45cm) most, at their best in mid May 34” (85cm) £10.50 for 3 £3.50 for 5, £6.30 for 10 May • 40” (100 cm) or £11.50 for 20 £4.50 or £12.00 for 3

12 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Nectaroscordum siculum Allium tuberosum Allium unifolium Photo credit: GAP Images p Allium stipitatum Violet Beauty

siculum 53-32 Tall stemmed (with a pronounced keel – think of the seam in a pair of Allium sphærocephalon Nectaroscordum tripedale tights) leading upwards to dozens of hanging green and burgundy marked bells pendulously arranged sphærocephalon stipitatum Violet unifolium 53-40 in a loose head. They enjoy more 53-33 Beauty 53-71 Shell pink heads of quite papery shade than most true Alliums and seed about in conditions that Butterflies love these egg shaped A dusty violet colour with flowers and long lasting flowers, about 15 they like and have strongly heads (and at their peak they 4” (10cm) in diameter, spherical contained within each head. Easy to scented foliage when crushed. are about the same size). They except that the base is flattened. grow in any sunny and well drained The bees love them. The dry seed emerge as tight deep green buds This one also did exceptionally spot, especially the rockery. The heads look like models of multi- in June, turning purple from their well in the RHS Allium trial where small bulbs should be planted quite turreted fairy castles. tips through July and swaying in its usefulness as a cut flower close together where their massed effect is very attractive. Early summer • 30” (75cm) the summer breezes on long wiry (it has a light fragrance) and its £3.50 for 5 or £6.30 for 10 stems. Woven through a summer increase over the three years of May • 10” (25cm) border, often as rivers of colour, they the trial impressed. £6.50 for 30 visually ‘tie things together’. Easy May/June • 27” (70cm) tripedale 53-25 and inexpensive for the effect that £4.00 for 5 or £7.20 for 10 nectaroscordum Like N. siculum above, but with they provide, just do plant enough more numerous flowers in a of them for a generous display. We tuberosum 53-38 Much like the Alliums, with the gorgeous soft pink, which emerge like hatchlings from their translucent always supply bigger bulbs than are As much a herb as a bulb (as are same ‘oniony’ scent when the leaves are crushed, and with very sheath. Happy in sun or part shade generally available, ensuring that the chives) but with a long flowering similar looking bulbs armed with and not as difficult to grow as the flowering will be better as a result. period through the summer, the a small spike. Because of their price suggests, but uncommon Plant them 3” (7cm) apart or 10-15 white flowers displayed over lush strong similarities we list them and very select. Persistent and per square foot. foliage on very wiry stems which after the Alliums but out of strict increasing in our heavy loam in Summer • 24” (60cm) persist as dry straw-like markers alphabetic order. some summer shade. How should £4.00 for 15, £7.50 for 30 or through the winter. They are £11.00 for 50 one say the name? I am not sure, multifaceted plants, and brilliant but hope that it should be ‘tripi- dali‘ insect feeding stations too. Aug/Oct • 24” (60cm) rather than ‘tripe-dale’. £7.00 for 3 (small clumps) June • 36” (100cm) £8.00 or £21.00 for 3

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 13 Anemone apennina Anemone blanda pink star Anemone White Splendour

Anemone Photo credit: GAP Images p Anemone blanda blue Anemone apennina anemone apennina 57-11 blanda blue 57-07 blanda White An excellent and very pretty plant, I Low growing in shades of blue, The spring flowering anemones Splendour 57-12 should follow the crocuses in late wish it were more easily produced that unconformity adding to their Gleaming white petals surround March for their turn in the limelight. as I think it more attractive than A. attractiveness, with flowers which a hub of golden stamens, which They mark that moment when the blanda in British conditions, but shimmer close to the ground, when ruffled by the wind, show off weather is on the turn for the better it is not a commercialised plant. unaffected by the March winds and their pink tinged backs. Opening and the stronger light of spring White or shades of blue flowered shaking off the rain. Easy in any widely in direct sunshine, their is accentuated by the shiny wet plants with many deeply cut petals summer shaded spot where the flowering is a sure sign that spring foliage resulting from scudding on flowers held well above soft more angled light (and moisture) of has arrived. Compared to the blue showers and windy conditions. This mounds of leaves. Ideal under spring penetrate through. forms slightly warmer soils and is just what Anemones love. And big deciduous trees following March • 4” (10cm) more direct light suit them better, they open wide in the sunshine £2.40 for 10, £5.50 for 25 snowdrops and flowering with in too much shade they get rather though if the light is only dappled or £10.00 for 50 the early daffodils. The colours leggy. They grow from larger hard by dint of still bare branches on the combine very naturally. Plant the irregular corms, which you will trees they won’t mind. small stick-like rhizomes in small blanda They are not all alike even when receive whole - many providers sell groups 6” (15cm) apart where they ‘resting’: the bulbous (A. blanda) Pink Star 57-08 these cut into smaller pieces. will thereafter seed about. Home forms come as hard, wizened Pale pink flowered plants of the March • 5” (12cm) corms, which need an overnight grown and dug-to-order from same stature. £4.00 for 10, £9.50 for 25 or £18.00 for 50 soak before planting and will take a under trees here the damp packed March • 4” (10cm) long hot summer in their stride. The rhizomes are inevitably rather £5.00 for 10 rhizomatous forms (A. apennina variable in size. and A. nemorosa) need a cooler, March/April • 8” (20cm) shady (but also dry) rest after they £6.50 for 3 have flowered, so they prefer more shaded, woodland-like conditions and hating exposure to air will be damp packed in coir when despatched by us.

14 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Anemone virescens Anemone nemorosa lychette

Anemone nemorosa Anemone ran. flore plena Anemone nemorosa blue eyed double

nemorosa 57-20 nemorosa nemorosa The wild wood anemone. The Lychette 57-23 virescens 57-17 simplest looking low white flowers With white flowers that are larger For us the most productive of all which derive from stick-like and fuller than the more ‘ordinary’ the Anemone nemorosa forms, rhizomes. For woodland situations, wood Anemone. many of which sulk after being in shade with leafmold rich soils. As April • 4” (10cm) moved and take ages to get going with many ‘wild’ plants they often £4.50 for 5 again. These do not have flowers in take a while to settle in and take off. the conventional sense, but frothy April • 4” (10cm) nemorosa green heads full of bracts that last £4.50 for 5 Robinsoniana 57-24 much longer than flowers might. April • 4” (10cm) Large flowered in lilac- blue with nemorosa Blue Eyed £4.50 for 5 contrasting yellow stamens. double 57-36 April • 4” (10cm) Full double petalled with a deep £4.50 for 5 ranunculoides blue centre on established plants, flore plena 57-27 I doubt that you will get the full A European native with bright effect the first year but be patient. yellow double petalled flowers, the April • 4” (10cm) tubers underground are thicker £4.50 for 5 and less stick-like than those of Anemone nemorosa the Anemone nemorosa. Easy robinsoniana in light spring shade conditions amongst the other March and April flowering woodlanders. April • 4” (10cm) £5.50 for 3

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 15 anthericum liliago major 58-05 Pretty white flowered perennials from southern Europe. They grow from an -like crown of thick fleshy roots when dormant in the autumn, providing for splendid, informal looking plants that thrive in moisture retentive soil in good light. When settled, each plant will carry ten or more flower stems piercing upward each carrying a dozen or more flowers looking like little flared trumpets with yellow stamens, opening sequentially up the stems. Border plants for good fertile soils in the sun. Plant 24”, (60cm) apart. May • 24” (60cm) £7.00 bomarea salsilla 10-04 Mexican and South American Anthericum liliago major Bomaria salsilla Bongardia chrysogonum climbers that one might imagine require protection from severe cold, but recent winters here have left them untouched, buried as they are deep in the ground. Long lasting pink flowers crowd on the ends of thick tangled stems with quite succulent foliage, sometimes the heads look down, or up, but never the same way! They seem happy with either full sun or part shade but you will need to provide support for them to grow over. Summer flowering • 30” (70cm) £5.50 bongardia chrysogonum 67-04 A rare bulb with coppery yellow flowers and attractive grey-green leaves marked with red, best suited to somewhere sun-baked and dry camassia in the summer, As well as being fully hardy they are also hugely drought resistant and love a hot dry soil. Very special members of the Camassia leichtlinii alba Camassia leichtlinii caerulea Camassia Maybelle Berberis family with pretty, hard, nut-like tubers. April/May • 9” (22cm) £4.70 or £13.00 for 3 leichtlinii leichtlinii leichtlinii caerulea alba 70-07 caerulea 70-06 Maybelle 70-16 camassia Ivory-cream in flower, standing out Especially valuable and happy in These flower two or three weeks brilliantly against any dark backdrop heavier soils and a feature plant later than the one above, are more Very hardy bulbs of North and a good contrast plant for the for the border in late spring where compact and the flower colour American origin that love that Alliums in May. They spread their they make magnificent shows with more blue and less purple than heavy, often rather poorly seed around freely, and in time sow many erect stems of deep lavender those of the plant above. Late drained soil that many bulbs blue flowers, curving skyward from find too tough to cope with. If themselves through the herbaceous May can be a time when one is thick clumps when established. your soil is too heavy and the border in good cottage garden style. noticeably short of colour in the They set no seed, only increasing summers too wet to get repeat They do not naturally make as big garden so these really fill a gap and flowering from your some a bulb as the blue C. caerulea and as the bulbs split up. Longer lasting extend the Camassia display, and of these might be a suitable (and often flower from quite small bulbs, flowers result from planting in some being somewhat shorter may suit more sustainable) alternative, these planted about 9” (22cm) apart. shade and they love clay soils that more exposed sites? albeit with a narrower colour These generally flower about 10-14 hold the moisture. Ideal partners May • 24” (60cm) palette? Suitable for borders or days later than the ‘standard’ blue might be Polygonatum x hybridum, £6.60 for 5 in grassland where one could form of C. ‘caerulea’. Maianthemum racemosum or achieve a full six weeks of interest May/June • 36” (90cm) Tellima grandiflora. We supply big using a few different varieties. £5.00 for 3 or £14.00 for 9 bulbs that should be planted with 5” of soil over them, 9” (22cm) apart. April/May • 32” (80cm) £6.20 for 5 or £11.00 for 10

16 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Camassia avon’s stellar Camassia semi plena Chionodoxa luciliae hybrids

Chionodoxa Pink Giant

quamash Photo credit: GAP Images

(esculenta) 70-05 p Camassia blue heaven Camassia Sacajawea The shortest of all the Camassia, quamash (esculenta) suitable for naturalizing in rough, very late mown grass, or to dot in groups informally in the borders. Blue Heaven 70-17 leichtlinii Much smaller bulbed than all the luciliæ 72-04 Paler blue than all the other Sacajawea 70-15 forms above, these give rise to Multifunctional small bulbs, Camassia that we sell and of Carrying cream coloured flowers rich, dark purple-blue flowers with they can go into your beds of shorter stature again. This is the these are a variegated form with startling yellow stamens. A true perennials or be allowed to seed result of a crossing of C. cusickii a bold cream coloured edge to meadow plant. The bulbs are often about in rock gardens in the sun and C. leichtlinii, and a considerable the leaf, this nicely accentuates pitted and marked when dormant, or part shade, where they combine improvement on the pale blue C. what is (in Camassia generally) not though this seems to make no well with the daffodils, grape cusickii which I think gives the other very interesting foliage. The name difference to their growth, plant hyacinths, crocuses and other Camassia a bad name - they do not honours a native American Indian them 3-4” (10cm) apart. small spring bulbs. They can also flower well after the first year (but woman who saved the starving May/June • 12” (30cm) be naturalized in grass (though £3.50 for 10 or £8.00 for 25 being widely and cheaply sold are explorers on the Lewis and Clark mowing too early or too short often people’s first disappointing expedition of 1805 as they crossed needs to be avoided). Brilliant introduction to the family). This America east to west (and back chionodoxa blue with white centres. Buy lots, hybrid form is considerably better at again) for the first time feeding planting densities need to be repeat flowering. them the native ‘quamash’ bulbs. Our ‘friends’ the nomenclature generous, though they will seed April/May • 18” (45cm) Again 10-14 days later into flower police are about to merge the about in time. You’ll initially need £6.60 for 3 than C. caerulea. Chionodoxas into the Scilla about 30-40 per square ft. May/June • 36” (90cm) family. On such matters we are Feb/March • 4” (10cm) leichtlinii Avon’s £9.50 for 5 slow adopters of the new ! The £4.00 for 20 or £9.00 for 50 Stellar hybrids 70-11 bigger spring bulbs exhibit a huge range of bold shapes and forbesii A seed raised form, these are the leichtlinii strong colours. As a result if result of hybridisation and selection Semi-plena 70-08 one does not follow a theme or Pink Giant 72-10 work done here. The plants A tall tower of full petalled, almost stick to a limited pallet I feel that With a spike of very pretty pale exhibit widely varying colours, fluffy looking, cream coloured the whole effect can look a bit pink flowers, this is a taller and combinations of purple blue, flowers. A sterile form of the haphazard. A way to help with slightly earlier flowering alternative mauve, greyish, purplish, green and cream flowered plant that is the this is to use a range of the ’little to the more common blue shades. blue bulbs’ to create a more pale pink. We cannot guarantee species: C. leichtlinii alba. But the Being taller it needs to receive unifying backdrop. This ties the what you might receive, it is ‘pot benefit of sterility for gardeners is more light to avoid it getting too louder colours together and luck’ but many are individually eye- a longer flowering season. Better leggy and flopping over. Plant catching and from the seed that provides a steadying consistency. about 1”- 2” (2.5-5cm) apart, or 15 where they receive more sun than Any of the Chionodoxa, Muscari, they in turn produce, who knows per square foot. shade and better still where the Scilla and Anemone are the sorts what you might raise yourself! The soils are damp all through spring Feb/March • 5” (12cm) of bulbs that do just this, but you £3.00 for 10 or £6.80 for 25 bulbs also vary somewhat in size. and early summer. could use other non bulbous May • 36” (90cm) - colours will vary June • 36” (90cm) plants as well such as Brunnera £7.50 for 3 £7.00 for 3 or Mysotis (Forget-me-not).

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 17 Convallaria majalis Convallaria majalis Convallaria majalis rosea Convallaria majalis Hofheim Hardwick Hall Fernwood’s Golden Slippers

Convallaria majalis Fortins giant Chionodoxa Blue Giant forbesii majalis Fortins majalis majalis rosea 75-07 Blue Giant 72-11 Giant 75-05 Hofheim 75-12 Like small and very exclusive pink Larger flowered than the C. luciliae Larger flowered and taller than the A creamy yellow edge to the pearls, a vigorous form which we above with a more noticeable ‘common’ white Lily of the Valley otherwise plain green leaf know to be tough and productive central white throat. The photo was but equally scented. For sun or marks these out, these marginal with lovely pale pink fragrant taken of them in a pot of tulips that shade but in the former they need a highlights are considered rather flowers, Best in dappled light or part were yet to flower and the C. Blue more moisture retentive soil. Good, stronger in this form than it is in C. shade, direct bright sunshine tends Giant were flowering their socks off, strong, fresh-dug rhizomes (stringy Hardwick Hall, the flower is creamy to burn out the pink. As with any providing a very good early show. roots) to plant horizontally about 2” white and scented. Convallaria you’ll need a degree of March/April • 6” (15cm) deep (5 cm) and double that apart. £10.00 for 3 patience before they thicken up. £4.00 for 10 or £9.00 for 25 £3.80 for 5 £8.00 for 5 majalis Fernwood’s convallaria majalis Hardwick Golden Slippers 75-11 Hall 75-09 A startlingly golden leaved form, Lilies of the Valley. Spring Wide leaved with a creamy coloured particularly in the early spring flowering plants of woodland margin to the leaf, providing a before the flowers appear. They origins with stringy rhizomes under the soil. They like humus feature of interest even before they appear perfectly stable as there has rich soil and part shade but flower. The flowers are large, white been no reversion to green. There everyone’s experience of growing and scented. is an ongoing argument regarding these is different and (as is £8.00 for 3 the name, should it be Verwood, reported to us) they will grow in Fernwood or what? We obtained the the most unlikely places. But the initial stock from the late Stephen critical commonality is that they Taffler (inveterate variegated plant do need patience to begin with addict) who used to live nearby. and tales of them taking 2 or 3 £6.00 for 3 years to settle abound. They are all about 6” (15cm) tall when in flower in May.

18 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Photo credit: GAP Images p Convallaria majalis Hofheim Corydalis Blue DRAGON chrysanthus Cream Beauty chrysanthus dorothy chrysanthus prins claus

crocus Photo credit: GAP Images p Corydalis China Blue chrysanthus Blue Pearl chrysanthus ard schenk

corydalis flexuosa They are palatable to mice and chrysanthus Cream squirrels as are some other small A family with snapdragon Blue Dragon 76-12 Beauty 78-14 Bronze purple foliage, its colour carbohydrate rich bulbs. Mesh Elegant, with pale-cream petals like flowers of which we sell baskets (as offered on the back heightened when planted in some brushed with charcoal on the pot grown ‘flexuosa’ forms. cover of this catalogue) are a These do not derive from a direct sunshine, particularly in the great help (with the addition of reverse and bright orange stigmas true bulb so are supplied as early spring, with deep purple-blue a home-made wire lid). These when open wide in the sun. £4.20 for 20 or £9.50 for 50 growing plants in small pots flowers. Sold by the potful. buried containers mostly thwart ready to plant out. These need Spring/Summer • 6” (15cm) those opportunistic raiders. The ‘encouragement’ to grow away £3.30 bigger and later flowering C. chrysanthus from the compost in which they vernus or ’Dutch’ forms of Crocus are currently established, tease are much bigger bulbed and Dorothy 78-69 out the roots a bit, break up crocus seem to both persist better and Bronzy yellow throughout, the open the pot shape root ball and firm are less affected by rodents. flowers mirroring the sun with a them in to your soil so that they (spring shiny sheen. Bright and cheery. root across that boundary. flowering) chrysanthus £4.20 for 20 or £9.50 for 50 flexuosa The C. tommasinianus forms Ard Schenk 78-72 chrysanthus China Blue 76-22 are perfect for planting in light Very early flowering with pure white grass or borders, self-sowing petals marked by a yellow throat Prins Claus 78-70 Exhibiting beautiful pink-fringed and increasing where happy and inside. Glistening in the early sunlight. A slightly bigger two tone flower juvenile foliage when planted in potentially getting everywhere. £4.20 for 20 or £9.50 for 50 with ivory white within and a smoky some sunshine and startling pale The bees love them and their purple blue reverse to the petal. blue flowers, this still remains a ‘buy opening is always a certain chrysanthus Grouped together one seems to on sight’ plant. Sold by the potful. sign of spring arriving. The Blue Pearl 78-12 frame their neighbour and so they Spring/Summer • 6” (15cm) hybrid forms of the species show themselves off magically. £3.30 A lovely goblet shaped flower with C. chrysanthus in particular £4.20 for 20 or £9.50 for 50 have been raised for garden a soft lavender-blue exterior, pale use but need more particular silvery blue inside, and bronzing at situations than do the ‘tommies’. the base. £4.20 for 20 or £9.50 for 50

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 19 Crocus imperati de Jager korolkowii January Gold tommasinianus Yalta

tommasinianus Ruby Giant minimus spring beauty tommasinianus Whitewell Purple

imperati de minimus Spring tommasinianus tommasinianus Jager 78-73 Beauty 78-59 Whitewell Yalta 78-64 Flowering in the very early spring Lovely lilac petals open wide in the Purple 78-45 A hybrid between a ‘tommy’ and when the delicacy of these flowers sun, but notice their backs, richly Free-flowering with silvery mauve- a large hybrid, perhaps C. vernus is more than welcome, the outer feathered along their length on a pink flowers and bright yellow Vanguard so a bit larger and petals are biscuit buff with purple much paler background they really anthers, this form is a little finer and slightly later. Some left over bulbs stripes, the inside lilac to purple. enhance that lilac. paler in hue. They are ideal to plant have survived in some rough grass From Western Italy and needing a £4.20 for 20 or £9.50 for 50 with the intention of allowing them under a birch and done quite well well drained sunny rockery. to seed about and naturalise. They here so come recommended, our Jan • 5” (12cm) tommasinianus heavier soil generally does not suit £6.50 for 3 don’t last long in blazing March Ruby Giant 78-44 sunshine so try them in dappled the smaller crocus, though the ‘tommies’ do brilliantly. Alternating Deep pinkish-silvery purple shade. Don’t mow till the leaves korolkowii deep purple and silvery backed flowered with contrasting yellow have gone if planted in grass and, January Gold 78-67 if you remember, look out for the petals contrast nicely. anthers. Excellent for naturalising £4.20 for 10 or £9.50 for 25 Flowering so early this requires a and an ideal accompaniment to the seed-heads at soil level in June. sheltered sunny spot, or probably early dwarf daffodils and to follow £4.20 for 20 or £9.50 for 50 or £17.00 for 100 to be grown in a pot where you can the Cyclamen coum. Don’t be admire it up close. The species deceived by the deceptive naming, is Afghan in origin and has some they are neither Ruby nor Giant, See the subtle differences from its more just ‘chubbier’ and darker than western cousins such as more Whitewell Purple below. Crocus leaves and a subterranean seed £4.20 for 20 or £9.50 for 50 Collection capsule. Shiny and golden within the or £17.00 for 100 flower, more dusted on the reverse. on page 58 £2.70 for 5

20 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Crocus vernus

Crocus pickwick

Crocus Queen of the Blues Photo credit: GAP Images Photo credit: GAP Images p p crocus vernus Pickwick 78-53 Crocus remembrance crocus golden yellow Strongly striped and feathered in ‘dutch’ hybrids violet over a white background. Selected over the centuries, A larger flowered and vigorous originally from C. vernus these crocus, generally with several are useful for planting in grassed flowers per corm. areas to provide an early spring £5.25 for 15, £9.60 for 30 show (though in February and or £16.80 for 60 March the grass will hardly be growing) and being bigger Golden Yellow bulbed they can be planted more 78-52 deeply and would cope with Bright golden yellow flowers. rougher grass cover than lawn Either use them alone or in grasses. Each corm produces multiple flowers. Flowering into combination with the purple the early Daffodil season they can forms (it flowers fractionally be an effective contrast to the sea earlier). It has been found not to of yellow in the March garden. be a true C. vernus form at all Plant them 4-6” (12-15cm) apart, but a triploid hybrid between C. or roughly 7- 12 per square vernus and C. angustifolius. foot. They do not quite all flower £4.40 for 15, £7.80 for 30 together (which is a benefit) so or £14.40 for 60 choose a few varieties to provide a slightly greater spread of Jeanne D’Arc 78-51 flowering. Late February and early A superb goblet shaped white crocus flower record Crocus Jeanne D’Arc March flowering 5” (12cm) tall. crocus (occasionally with purple flecking) with strong stems. Great Flower Record 78-71 planted alone or else supporting a The deepest purple form, mix of other colours. But also nice Queen of the Remembrance 78-63 providing that darker contrast in a with late snowdrops or as a foil to Blues 78-68 The deep purple blue, and again mixed planting. any of the Greigii tulips which flower Lavender blue, with a whiff of slightly shorter stemmed. Brought £5.25 for 15, £9.60 for 30 at the same time. One could try a purple in some lights but with an back into our list by popular demand. or £16.80 for 60 combination of your own of any of £5.25 for 15, £9.60 for 30 or incredible depth of colour and the ‘Dutch’ crocus and any Greigii £16.80 for 60 slightly shorter stemmed. Insect friendly tulip in pots? £5.25 for 15, £9.60 for 30 £5.25 for 15, £9.60 for 30 or £16.80 for 60 Plants or £16.80 for 60

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 21 cyclamen Cyclamen tubers tend to do best in drier sites in lighter soils that have benefitted from the addition of some humus or leaf-mould. Here they seed through and pop up in our heavy soils even in grass. Though not cheap to begin with (these are often 4 years old already) they can be expected to live many years and the autumn flowering forms can reach dinner plate size and a cyclamen great age. These are all in leaf throughout the winter and spring months so do take their attractive foliage into account and aim for that varied green tapestry that Cyclamen coum Cyclamen repandum a mix of the spring and autumn flowering forms provides. They are all completely hardy except C. repandum which will need more careful placement, although Mary Keen in the Telegraph wrote that they too had survived recent winters deeply planted in the Cotswolds. We would suggest you plant them all about 5” (12cm) apart.

Cyclamen coum flowers in the early spring with slightly chunky flowers with foliage that is smooth edged and rounded, Cyclamen hederifolium flowers in the early autumn with more elegant flowers and distinctively heart or arrow shaped foliage. The two foliage types complement each other Cyclamen coum dark pink Cyclamen coum album well, though the flowering is about 5 months apart. They can be successfully planted together.

These are all nursery grown in the UK from seed and may be ordered for either Late Summer or Autumn despatch. In the autumn the tubers start back into growth and so where orders are despatched after mid- September the leaves and roots may be showing, though this causes no harm. spring Photo credit: GAP Images flowering p forms Cyclamen coum silver leaf Cyclamen coum roseum coum 51-16 coum roseum 51-17 coum dark Pink 51-31 repandum 51-29 Plump tubers throwing what are Pale pink flowered, the easiest colour These exciting forms have more Better in more sheltered conditions mosty pink flowers with hugely to combine with those other early strongly coloured carmine pink and certainly needing more varied leaf markings around the spring gems. A year older than those flowers. The leaf markings will vary shade and leaf mould in the soil silvery ‘Christmas tree’ outline within above as they were graded by colour enormously from all matt green to where they need to be planted the rounded leaf. I think they are when they flowered last year, they largely silver etched forms. more deeply. Only properly hardy the perfect companions to the early will have bigger tubers and so will Jan/March in the south, though special spring display of winter aconites, produce more flowers in their first year. £14.00 for 3 circumstances may affect that dwarf crocus and snowdrops under Jan/March generalisation, small bulbs which trees or shrubs, perhaps with one of £14.00 for 3 coum need careful handling - I feel that the deliciously fragrant Sarcocca? Silver Leaf 51-19 I am using too many caveats! The These will be about 3 year old positives are many - they provide coum album 51-18 Demonstrate a silvery sheened tubers from seed, but even at that spicily fragrant, deep carmine Always showing a pink ‘nose’ but leaf, still outlined within a deep age, a year younger than the colour coloured flowers in late spring and the flower is otherwise white, the green edge. When planted with the selected forms below. like the others do set seed and petals twisted and swept back. other forms one builds up a low Jan/March Ideal to provide a bit of contrast spread where happy. £15.00 for 5 ‘tapestry’ of interest created from amongst other pink ones, or April/May the leaves alone, the flowers could £5.40 each or £15.00 for 3 planted with your snowdrops, to be any colour. maintain an all-white theme. Jan/March Jan/March £16.50 for 3 £14.00 for 3

22 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Cyclamen repandum Photo credit: GAP Images p Dichelostemma pink diamond disporum flavens Dichelostemma Ida maia

Cyclamen Hederifolium Cyclamen Hederifolium album

autumn dichelostemma flowering Allium-like bulbs of North West America with nice stories to go forms with them. They are obviously very unusual plants to be found in UK gardens but they are hardy hederifolium 51-07 and tough enough to grow in The toughest and most enduring lighter and free draining soils. They grow much as any Allium of all cyclamen, with long petalled but flower later. The sap from cut (and mostly) pale pink flowers in stems can be caustic to the skin. the autumn (when flowering without their foliage) followed by glossy dark green heart-shaped foliage congestum 82-04 through winter, often beautifully From the far west of America, marked. These will be three or producing a compact, hens egg more years old and will get better sized flower head much like an and better over the years, their Allium, formed of very long-lasting tubers eventually becoming very lilac-purple flowers, on a slender but large and corky. very wiry stem. They will grow where one would expect Alliums to thrive. Aug/Oct Dichelostemma congestum £14.00 for 5 June • 24” (60cm) £4.00 for 5 or £7.50 for 10 hederifolium album 51-08 ida-maia 82-05 Pink Diamond 82-06 Disporum A naturally occurring sport of D. White flowered tubers of the form Spectacular red, yellow and green Ida-maia with bright pink flowers above, these were selected by coloured flowers, shaped like flavens 30-06 with white tips. colour when they flowered last cigars, opening at the tip of a wiry Soloman’s Seal -like plants with soft stem. Named after the daughter June • 18” (45cm) yellow flowers at the ends of their autumn. Use just a few to provide £3.50 for 5 or £6.50 for 10 an interesting contrast, or alone as of a Californian stage coach-driver stems in the spring. Korean in origin a beacon in October to lighten up a and pollinated (in the wild) by they are not very well known but dark corner. humming-birds! Grown much as understated plants for shade. Aug/Oct any Allium. June • 18-24” (45-60cm) £12.50 for 3 June • 18” (45cm) £6.00 £3.50 for 5 or £6.50 for 10

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 23 Erythronium DENS CANIS Erythronium revolutum SNOWFLAKE erythronium The Dog’s Tooth Violet is the only European form (that common name Erythronium Pagoda Erythronium Old Aberdeen referring to the shape of the bulb) The others are all American species or hybrids where the common name for them in America is the Trout Lily (due to the markings on the leaves). They grow best where they have cool humus rich soil conditions in the spring, usually grown in dappled shade, with a drier resting phase in what will be deeper shade in the summer. They all have interesting leaves and look great with Dicentra, Trilliums, Epimedium and the Erythronium Knightshayes wood Anemones. Knightshayes Pink Court, or The Garden House at Buckland Monachorum, both have good displays. dens canis 84-08 The European Dogs Tooth Violet with magically mottled leaves with brown and purple markings. The flowers are pale pink through to lilac or purple. They benefit from good spring light but with shade from about April. Plant them 3-4” (7-10cm) apart. March • 4” (10cm) £5.50 for 3 Erythronium dens canis Old Aberdeen 84-09 Noted for their exceptionally dark Erythronium DENS CANIS Erythronium revolutum leaf markings the flowers are also more deeply coloured than the standard E. dens canis. First Pagoda 84-17 revolutum 84-21 revolutum named (I believe) by Carol Scott whom I met and stayed with 30 A more vigorous hybrid first The ‘wild’ pink flowered Knightshayes plus years ago near Glasgow. They discovered in the late 19th Century, Erythronium, originally from Pink 84-13 it is a bigger plant altogether, with the western seaboard of North should increase quite rapidly but Named after the garden in which creamy yellow flowers. They are America, right through from E. dens canis is never in flower for these abound in Devon, this strain easier to grow than any of the California to Vancouver now a long, so the great foliage is a strong has even more heavily marked others and one starts with a big welcome highlight in woodland reason to grow these. leaves with pale pink flowers, but do finger sized tuber. Ideally planted in gardens here. More subtle and March • 4” (10cm) handle the tubers carefully, they are some shelter from spring gales (the refined than E. Pagoda, but if £4.00 or £10.50 for 3 long and brittle. large leaves tend to crack in strong you can grow that one then these April • 8” (20cm) dens canis winds) and ideally in humus rich are a definite possibility. They £5.50 or £15.00 for 3 soils where they will clump up. Plant seed around quite vigorously and Snowflake 84-11 7” to 9” (16-20cm) apart. mix in very naturally with wood A white flowered selection, worth a April • 12” (30cm) anemones, Anemone apennina, closer look when in flower (though £5.00 for 3 or £10.50 for 7 and all those low growing gems this can be awkward as they are of April. A cool April is a blessing, very close to the ground) in order otherwise they are too quickly to admire the extraordinary mauve- over. Some will be marked with purple stamens. lovely brown flecks on the leaves. March • 4” (10cm) April • 8” (20cm) £5.00 £12.00 for 3

24 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Fritillaria

Erythronium White Beauty Fritillaria William Rex Fritillaria imperialis lutea

Erythronium tuolumnense Fritillaria rascal Chopin Fritillaria elwesii Fritillaria acmopetala

tuolumnense 84-24 fritillaria elwesii 85-07 imperialis rascal Early flowering plants with larger Dark stemmed with narrow, more Chopin 85-23 bright plain green leaves and bright The plants listed below are tubular, slate and green flowers illustrative of the amazing The Rascal series is the result of yellow flowers. A native of the covered in a fine bloom held atop a diversity of the family, from years of interbreeding F imperialis Sierra Nevada in California they are small bulbs of moist riverine fine stem. They hail from southern and F.raddeana to produce bulbs that perfectly hardy in the UK. Pagoda is meadows to giants of near and will happily survive our flower younger, aiming (eventually) to a hybrid deriving from this species, desert like locations. Sadly few cold winters, but would do better for bringing the cost down, but they are it is later and paler flowered, has of the many species of Fritillaria a dry summer rest, so that calls for still relatively new! I like their daintier more marked leaves, and is quicker are well suited to ‘ordinary’ well drained soils. stature, their less regimental stance to increase. garden conditions in Britain but, April • 15” (35cm) and the earlier flowering which ought £7.00 for 3 April • 8” (20cm) particularly if you can invest to allow more time for them to ‘put on £4.00 some effort into their planting and weight’ before going dormant again, exercise judgment in where to imperialis a requirement if they are to flower well White Beauty 84-15 plant them, the following are to William Rex 85-20 in future years. be recommended. Our website Probably the best Erythronium March/April • 30” (75cm) does provide more detail on all Deeply coloured orange-red flowers in Britain for more formal small £6.00 or £16.50 for 3 of them. which surround a strong dark stem. gardens and a favourite, if you have A selected and named form of visited Knightshayes in Devon in imperialis acmopetala 85-04 the Crown Imperial Lily. A top knot early April you’ll know why. A very of green leaves above the flower lutea 85-21 neat and compact hybrid with A native of the Eastern makes them look quite exotic. For Bright yellow flowered on a pale mottled leaves and creamy white Mediterranean with one or more rich sunny soils, well-watered in green stem, no more difficult to grow flowers, often multi-stemmed on hanging jade green bell shaped spring but well drained in summer, than the red flowered form. Both established plants. The whole plant flowers, reflexed at the opening, sheltered from wind and planted grow very rapidly in the early spring is nicely proportioned. Pamper with chocolate brown markings. 6-8” (15-20cm) deep. and needing to quickly replenish them with deep leaf mould rich soils Grow them in a little shade in fairly April • 30” (75cm) that effort, we suggest that they in the summer shade of trees or well drained conditions out of the £6.00 or £16.50 for 3 benefit from liquid feeding whilst in shrubs. Plant 5” (12cm) apart. strongest wind. growth to encourage flowering in April • 8” (20cm) April/May • 12” (30cm) £5.50 or £15.00 for 3 £6.00 for 3 or £9.20 for 5 subsequent years. April • 36” (90cm) £6.00 or £16.50 for 3

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 25 Fritillaria pallidiflora Fritillaria michailovskyi Fritillaria persica Fritillaria persica alba

Fritillaria Pontica Fritillaria meleagris Fritillaria raddeana meleagris 85-27 michailovskyi 85-31 persica 85-37 pontica 85-39 The ever popular Snakeshead A striking small plant with a yellow We grew these with ease and to Bell shaped flowers (hardly showing Fritillary. Serpent like with darkly band around the rim of the chunky, great proportions 30 years ago on any of the flared lip that you see chequered nodding bells, a reddish brown, bell shaped flower. the limestone brash at Bradford on in F. acmopetala) with green and smattering of which may be paler or These need a well drained soil to Avon. That indicated their surprising brown markings. Shorter too and even white. In Elizabethan times it persist in the ground, otherwise preference for good light, and good more suited to a bit more shade, was widespread – typically in damp, growing them in a pot in the drainage. Our heavier soils here seeding freely where happy. grassy, late-cut meadows and in protection of something such as seem to suit them less well, but they April/May • 9” (25cm) moist alluvial soils. So aim for these a bulb frame to keep them drier, are impressive all the same with bell £2.50 or £7.00 for 3 conditions to have them increasing particularly in summer, is advisable. shaped flowers like grapes with a and self-seeding yourself. They are March / April • 8” (20cm) similar bloom. raddeana 85-41 best ordered early to allow for timely £3.00 for 3 April/May • 24-30” (60-75cm) Closely related to the Crown planting. Plant 4” (10cm) deep in £6.00 or £16.50 for 3 Imperials above but rather shorter drifts, 4” (10cm) apart (10-15 per pallidiflora and less formal arrangement of sq ft.) 85- 36 persica alba 85-43 flowers in yellowish green. They March/April • 12” (30cm) Pale straw green bells, speckled A form in which the dusky black root early in the autumn and then £3.90 for 15, £12.00 for 50 flowers have lost their pigmentation emerge early and race up to flower or £21.00 for 100 within the bell with darker flecking. Usually the broad leaves and and instead are a fresh matt green. quickly. They will need a bit of relatively large flowers act as a April/May • 24-30” (60-75cm) shelter from the wind and good £10.00 each sail and the stems becomes more light, though are very cold tolerant. S shaped. This actually makes Mar/ April • 18” (45cm) £7.50 or £19.50 for 3 it easier to see inside the flower! None too difficult and charming in a raised bed or in well drained soils. April • 12” (30cm) £4.20

26 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Gladiolus

Gladiolus byzantinus At East Lambrook Gladiolus Nymph Gladiolus Mirella Manor Gardens Fritillaria persica alba

Gladiolus Atom Gladiolus Nathalie Gladiolus The BridE

gladiolus The ‘named’ dwarf gladioli Atom 88-18 Nymph 88-11 flower in the early summer. Short Dusty orange-red flowers, each White flowered, but clearly marked byzantinus 88-04 enough not to need staking, they petal margin enriched by white with luscious pink and purple Rich magenta coloured flowers do not tower over the garden as piping, which highlights their lipstick kisses on the lower petals. with white flashes. These are free do the larger forms. These make individual shape. This is particularly Much less formally upright, the particularly good cut flowers flowering plants with large strongly effective where the petals overlap bigger flowers bending the stems too. They also grow away early, coloured flowers, and generally one another. Best in well drained this way and that, so they weave and this may result in the foliage infertile as the plant is tetraploid. being susceptible to severe late soils and in the sun. through surrounding plants with an They are lovely, persisting colourful frost, so mulching is a possible July • 30” (75cm) appealing informality. £5.50 for 10 or £10.50 for 20 cottage garden plants for the early requirement in very cold gardens. May/June • 24” (60cm) summer, but the leaves do emerge Plant them in a sheltered site in £5.50 for 10 or £10.50 for 20 early in the year and in very cold well-drained soil, 6” (15cm) deep, Mirella 88-17 gardens (or in the north) they may 4” (10cm) apart on a bed of sharp Flowers in pillar box red (though The Bride 88-06 need a mulch over winter. There is sand. The winter dormant hybrid around here the post boxes badly Starry, tapered, gleaming white skulduggery about regarding what is forms are also sold in the spring, need a new coat) with good upright flowers tinged with green at the sold under this name. A poor relation if yours is a cold garden buy them stems. Clean and bright. throat, a strong-growing favourite to what we sell is G. byzantinus ssp. then instead. July • 30” (75cm) of ours and our customers. Do communis which is often passed £5.50 for 10 or £10.50 for 20 ensure that the soil is well drained off as the same plant and is a good and if you have failed before, try deal cheaper. The two are like chalk Nathalie 88-19 them again planted in deep pots and cheese. For sun or slight shade. Predominantly pink flowered with protected from the worst of the cold Plant 4” (10cm) apart. the bottom petals on each marked till spring and then plant these out June • 24” (60cm) with a darker rose and cream into your sunny border. £5.00 for 3 or £10.00 for 7 coloured flash, pretty and easy to fit June • 18” (45cm) into the summer colour theme. £5.50 for 10 or £10.50 for 20 July • 30” (75cm) £5.50 for 10 or £10.50 for 20

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 27 Hyacinthoides Hyacinthus

Hyacinthoides non scripta alba Hyacinthoides non scripta PINK Hyacinthus Gipsy queen bracteata

Hyacinthoides non scripta Hyacinthoides non scripta Hyacinthus Carnegie Hyacinthus Delft Blue alba

hyacinthoides non scripta non scripta Carnegie 86-12 Dense glossy white flowered spikes The family name that covers all alba 125-12 pink 125-34 with a hint of yellow in the buds the varied ‘Bluebells’. Wild populations of English A pale pink clone that is distinctly Bluebells are nearly all violet-blue, pink on first opening but fades to before they open. but rarely white flowered plants near white, we have built these up £3.60 for 3 or £8.00 for 7 non scripta 125-10 occur and it is from those that these from a few bulbs over the years. The English Bluebell. Violet-blue derive. They will stand out in a sea April/May • 12” (30cm) Delft Blue 86-11 £8.00 for 3 nodding bells which glisten in damp of blue. These will always stay white Compact spikes of purple- blue with shady glades. Always in demand and will increase below ground, a darker stem. and providing that perfect moment though their seedlings will almost hyacinthus £3.60 for 3 or £8.00 for 7 in April when the woods turn violet. certainly be blue. Self-seeding, so increasing steadily April/May • 12” (30cm) The ‘prepared’ bulbs in the Late Gipsy Queen 86-36 £8.00 for 3 once established. Plant 4” (10cm) Summer section (Page 5) are Neither yellow nor salmon, but not deep and 4” (10cm) apart, working more suited to forcing for very pink either. Quite a refreshing colour on up to 15 per sq. ft. non scripta alba early indoor display or if planted in the spring when there is likely to out will flower in early March. The April/May • 12” (30cm) bracteata 125-26 be so much yellow about. £5.00 for 10 or £11.50 for 25 ones below can be potted for £3.60 for 3 or £8.00 for 7 White flowered with a pair of long use in the house, where they will whiskery bracts alongside each flower in March and look equally flower node. A quirky oddity. magnificent in pots, or can be April/May • 12” (30cm) planted directly into the garden £8.00 for 3 to flower in March and April. All are tremendously fragrant. They prefer very well drained and sunny situations, reaching a height of 12” (30cm).

28 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Hyacinthus Woodstock Hyacinthus multiflora white Ipheion Charlotte BishoP

Ipheion

Hyacinthus Delft Blue Hyacinthus Anastasia Ipheion Alberto Castillo Ipheion Froyle Mill

Woodstock 86-17 ipheion Alberto uniflorum Deep beetroot purple, one of the These little bulbs often start Castillo 97-09 Charlotte most dramatic. It makes a smashing pushing up one or two stems Vigorous, with very white starry Bishop 97-10 twosome planted with Carnegie. very early with pretty star shaped flowers over grey green foliage £3.60 for 3 or £8.00 for 7 A pretty pink flowered form, dark flowers, but their main display is smelling of onions when crushed. pink on opening, fading gracefully reserved for late March and April. Longer stemmed, which raises the in the sun. In well drained soils they multiflora They are easy in any reasonably flowers well above the foliage and are vigorous and will increase. Anastasia 86-20 well drained soils and a moderately they pick well for small posies but March/April • 6” (15cm) The forms above are looked on as sunny site and although the leaves to prevent those longer stems from £3.80 for 5 can be burnt off in a heavy frost being a bit ‘chunky’ and soldierly flopping you must plant them in (with an associated garlic smell) by some, the multiflora forms below fairly good light. they seem to recover in weeks. The uniflorum Froyle are more slender, less dense and March/April • 9” (22cm) named forms are better and more £3.30 for 7 Mill 97-08 more informal in appearance and interesting than the species forms First selected in Hampshire which maybe less dominating of the little which are widely available but tend explains the name, with starry, flowers with which they bloom so to be more invasive (and which we velvety-violet flowers, similarly early, this is the prettiest deep blue do not stock). The biggest bulbs vigorous in sunny conditions. with dark stems. of the first one are the size of a March/April • 6” (15cm) £6.00 for 3 or £9.00 for 5 small clementine segment, but the £3.80 for 5 others are much smaller. multiflora white 86-09 Simply white when fully open Gift Tokens but quite yellow in bud. Slighter and somehow simpler than the These can be supplied at any time of year for any value over £15.00. We will send it ‘standard’ orientalis forms. with an attractive card with your message, adding the recipient to our mailing list for £2.80 or £8.00 for 3 future catalogues.

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 29 Iris Apollo Photo credit: GAP Images

Iris Red Ember p Iris blue magic

Iris Photo credit: GAP Images p Iris lion king Iris Prof Blaauw Iris Silvery beauty iris x Apollo 99-04 Lion King 99-13 Red Ember 99-10 On sturdy plants the broad yellow Deep reddish violet and greeny- Rust coloured, though in some hollandica falls (the three lower part of the brown petals, a combination that lights they also have a deeper These are hybrid forms of Iris iris flower looking like a tongue) should sound pretty enticing? Dark tinge of purple on the standards, xiphium that florists use lavishly the colour of free range egg yolks leaved as well providing additional altogether an unusual hue. in the late spring and summer, contrast with the creamy white, contrast, late flowering. Slightly Recommended at the trial of these but the bulbs are reasonably even blue tinted, standards (the smaller bulbed than the other forms. bulbs at Wisley inexpensive and you could three upright parts). June • 18-24” (45-60cm) May/June • 18-24” (45-60cm) easily grow your own? In the May/June • 18-24” (45-60cm) £3.00 for 5 or £8.00 for 15 £3.30 for 5 or £9.20 for 15 garden they are likely to last £3.30 for 5 or £9.20 for 15 far longer than cut flowers Professor Silvery too! These would be planted Blue Magic 99-12 Blaauw 99-08 Beauty 99-11 4-6” (10-15cm) apart in sunny A deep violet-blue flower with a conditions and in lighter soils. The deepest of rich blues with Simply fresh and somehow a bit yellow signal marking (edged in a yellow flash. You should really ‘lighter’ this is probably my favourite white) on the lower petals. They expect two flowers per stem, and form with white and pale violet increased well at the RHS trials and will observe the pregnant swelling flowers above leaves that display were awarded an AGM. of the buds within the stems before the silvery sheen implied in the May/June • 18-24” (45-60cm) they burst open. name. Roundly admired at Wisley. £3.30 for 5 or £9.20 for 15 May/June • 18-24” (45-60cm) May/June • 18-24” (45-60cm) £3.30 for 5 or £9.20 for 15 £3.30 for 5 or £9.20 for 15

30 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Iris George Iris Katharine Hodgkin Photo credit: Visions

p Iris harmony Iris Katharine’s Gold Photo credit: GAP Images Photo credit: GAP Images p p Iris Pauline Iris pixie Iris spot on Iris Lady Beatrix Stanley dwarf iris histrioides Katharine Pixie 101-23 Lady Beatrix Hodgkin 101-07 Closer to I. George in appearance These are derived from plants these are similarly wide petalled but native to the Middle East and do Stanley 101-22 An utterly distinct hybrid raised these are of the deepest of blue, best in well drained conditions A velvety blue flowered form with by EB Anderson in the 1960s. not purple, and are equally scented. with a warm dry summer rest. In pale flecking on the lips and with a Predominantly yellow with blue and UK conditions with our summer sea-green veining and markings Feb/March • 6” (15cm) yellow stripe down the length of the £4.00 for 15 or £6.25 for 25 rain this is not easy to achieve so falls, scented of violets. Flowering over the wide petals. Probably the they sometimes do not do well before the leaves extend so these most persistent and perennial form year on year. It helps to plant are not too evident at flowering time. when planted in a rich, gritty soil in Spot On 101-25 them deeply 5” (12cm). The best Feb/March • 6” (15cm) a sunny site. Raised by Alan McMurtrie in situation would be a raised bed £3.80 for 5 or £7.00 for 10 Feb/March • 6” (15cm) Canada this hybrid is evidently in the sun with well drained soil £3.00 for 5 or £5.00 for 10 the result of crossing I. reticulata conditions. There you’ll be able Harmony 101-11 Pauline x I. reticulata bakeriana . to admire them up close, and It appears and grows much like Flowering with amazingly intense Katharine’s smell the scented ones. 15 bulbs the others but is slightly smaller will nicely fill a 9” (20cm) planter gentian blue flowers, only marked Gold 101-24 though the white throat markings or pot filled with sharply draining with a small yellow and white crest Creamy coloured predominantly are distinct and outstanding compost for an early spring treat. on the falls. The most popular of all with flecks of darker yellow and blue surrounded as they are by the the forms. on the falls. Visually quite startling rich purples. Feb/March • 6” (15cm) so early in the year. histrioides Feb/March • 6” (15cm) £4.00 for 15 or £6.25 for 25 Feb/March • 6” (15cm) £3.80 for 5 or £7.00 for 10 George 101-06 £5.50 for 5 Broad, ripe plum-purple petals with a yellow and white blotch on the falls, at flowering time the leaves Pauline 101-13 are undeveloped so that you Narrower petalled with dark can get your nose close for that velvety purple flowers with bright glorious scent which is unmissable white highlights on the falls. Mid- in warm sunshine. season flowering. Early Feb/March • 6” (15cm) Feb/March • 6” (15cm) £4.50 for 15 or £6.90 for 25 £4.00 for 15 or £6.25 for 25

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 31 Photo credit: GAP Images p Iris unguicularis Iris unguicularis alba Iris bucharica Iris tuberosa (Hermodactylus)

Iris unguicularis Walter Butt Iris unguicularis Mary Barnard Iris unguicularis marondera iris Mary Walter Butt 102-06 iris Barnard 102-05 Palest of pale ice blues with some unguicularis The darkest of them all and a fine purple veining, drawing ones (other types) glossy marvel in the winter. Tissue- attention to the fact that they are not (stylosa) like velvety purple blue flowers with white. Longer leaved and with more bucharica 103-09 A firm favourite for the winter white and golden markings on the upright, paler, foliage. The first form Easy to grow in any sunny border or garden. They need a sunny site falls, the foliage shorter and darker to flower with the largest flowers a well drained sunny site where little and are often found growing in than the other forms. Discovered by and the most scented too. else seems to do well. They originate rubble right up against the house E.B. Anderson near Algiers in 1962. Nov/Feb • 18” (45cm) from Central Asia with bright glossy wall or in very poor soils but Feb/March • 15” (32cm) £7.50 leaves, creamy white and yellow they will perform even better if £7.50 flowers over low, bright, shiny foliage. the growing conditions are not unguicularis 102-04 March/April • 12” (30cm) too harsh. Avoid the inclination Marondera 102-13 £3.30 for 3 to shear off the untidy foliage The species plant with pale mauve Bigger flowered than the ‘ordinary’ in the summer, instead rake out flowers, the standards slightly paler unguicularis and slightly darker, this is some of the dead leaves in the and more silvery. A tough survivor tuberosa early autumn and give the plant a strain that goes back to a garden in even in poor soil conditions. (Hermodactylus) some water and a liquid feed the town of that name in Zimbabwe. Feb/March • 15” (32cm) 103-10 at the same time. It is then that It is as good and tough as all the £5.50 they make their new roots and others, and goes back a long way. Translucent black and jade-green are initiating their flower buds so Sadly a wedding present to us from unguicularis flowers on rush-like leaves known that should result in more flowers New Zealand has not survived, alba 102-11 as the Widow Iris, more kindly it is in the following winter. New though its name remains etched in also known in the Mediterranean divisions need careful planting my memory - Starkers Pink. Narrower petalled with all white as Hermes’ finger after the shape and firming in, regular watering Feb/March • 15” (32cm) flowered except for the yellow of the tubers. Requiring time to till established and possibly some £6.50 markings at the throat. Reportedly establish, plant them in full sun protection in their first winter. slightly less tough than its sisters where they love growing near heat but they have grown apace despite absorbing sun-drenched paving out the cold winter. of too much wind. Do try and order Feb/Mar • 15” (32cm) early for early autumn planting or £7.00 you could include some on a Late Summer order (see page 5). April • 6” (15cm) £6.00 for 10

32 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 lilium Photo credit: GAP Images Photo credit: GAP Images Photo credit: GAP Images p p p Ixiolirion tartaricum (ledebourii) Lilium martagon Claude Shride Lilium martagon Fairy Morning

Leucojum Gravetye Giant Lilium candidum

Ixiolirion lilium

Lilies would have to come near the Photo credit: GAP Images tartaricum p top of any list of most gardeners (ledebourii) 104-04 favourite bulbs. For stature, grace Lilium martagon Sunny Lilium regale Morning Originally from the steppes of and perfume they are unbeatable, Central Asia, the grass - like foliage but to ensure longevity it helps to get things right. Unless it says hides flowers which become more otherwise (in the text below) do candidum 107-14 martagon Fairy star like as they open more widely. incorporate plenty of organic The ‘Madonna Lily’ often depicted Morning 107-46 The colour varies slightly from violet matter in the area to be planted, as a religious icon in early Christian Paler than Claude Shride with -mauve to lilac. Free draining soil in having chosen a site that is of paintings. Large, loose scaled and a sunny situation would suit them marmalade shades of orange and good, probably rich soil, not slightly shaggy bulbs are typical of yellow coloured flowers speckled best and they look better from quite too dry in summer, and possibly this plant. They grow away early and with darker spots.. close planting. shaded – many lily flowers will bulbs may already have begun to June/July • 36” (90cm) April/May • 9” (20cm) last longer in cooler shade. leaf up before they are despatched. £6.50 £3.50 for 10 or £8.00 for 25 Plant at least 5” deep (except Satin white flowered with a delicious L. candidum). If planting in the fragrance. They need shallow confinement of a container, try martagon Sunny leucojum to ensure regular watering. Lily planting in a warmer sunny spot and Morning 107-45 beetle are a problem in warmer seem to do better in relatively poor Golden orange flowered plants with æstivum Gravetye parts. Readily seen as red and soil (also available from the Late Giant 106-07 black beetles they eat any foliage Summer Section, on page 5). Best deeper mahogany speckles. of the (which includes ordered before mid September. June/July • 36” (90cm) The Loddon Lily, also known as £6.50 the Fritillaria) These beetles drop June • 36” (90cm) Summer Snowflakes, with white, £6.50 or £18.00 for 3 hanging, bell-shaped flowers and off and hide on the ground if you alarm them, but sneakily picking regale 107-04 often confused with snowdrops off the adults and cleaning the Familiar and much loved favourites despite them flowering later (but martagon messy black ‘eggs’ off the foliage with ivory-white trumpets, flushed not really in summer). Strings of Claude Shride 107-41 is moderately effective (and with pink on their backs, providing emerald-tipped white bells hang A dark mahogany red selection squashing them satisfies a lust for great wafts of beautiful scent. from bare upright stems above of the martagon lily with yellow retribution) although Provado used Accommodating in most gardens, glossy green daffodil-like foliage. fleckling at the throat. The species systematically seems to reduce either in borders or large deep pots. Particularly happy in damp, even future generations more effectively. plants from which these derive (and Autumn planted L. regale bulbs winter-flooded situations, but Please Note: The martagon lilies which are more variable) is now always seem to do better than they will do anywhere where the are usually not ready for despatch not grown commercially and we spring planted ones. With longer soil is heavier and more moisture till mid-October so if you include have had to withdraw them from to root over the winter before they retentive. Daffodil-like bulbs, them on your order it may affect the sale. These are grown by micro flower that would be logical? planted 5” (12cm) deep and 6” delivery time of your whole order propagation initially so will be (we do try to save costs and have July • 36” (90cm) (15cm) apart. identical plant to plant. £8.00 for 3 or £12.50 for 5 April/May • 18” (45cm) your order all come at once)… June/July • 36” (90cm) £4.00 for 3 or £8.50 for 7 £6.50

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 33 Mathiasella Green Dream Maianthemum bifolium Maianthemum bifolium kamtschaticum

Muscari

Muscari Blue Magic Muscari azureum Muscari Ocean Magic maianthemum mathiasella muscari aucheri Blue Magic 111-20 bifolium 110-04 A Mexican umbellifer which was The ‘Grape Hyacinths’, and as the first described only in 1954. name implies some are heavily Bright blue with white rims to the An unusual native of northern These are architectural plants scented. All do well in the drier, mature flowers. These selected England. Plants with leaves that and seem to do well in full sun sunny conditions provided under colour forms are derived from the look a bit like small Hostas. These or part shade with green foliage deciduous shrubs in the early species which is native to alpine are plants for shade with ground in spring, and in autumn pink spring, with summer shade later turf in Turkey, they will not be covering possibilities in nice, leafy, and purple tints. They are sterile in the year. Part of the group of invasive here. damp, dappled shade where they and consequently last for several ‘Little Blue Jobs’, that create April • 5” (12cm) can then form a dense mat. The months in flower, lime green the backdrop and provide the £3.50 for 10 or £8.00 for 25 leaves open in the spring with a when they first open but coloured ‘chorus’ to the spring display. welcome fresh greenness growing with purple later in the year. Two may be better in warmer and aucheri from the small wiry roots. The more protected situations (see flowers are like small white plumes. the individual entries below). The Ocean Magic 111-21 May • 4” (10cm) bupleuroides common and weedy ‘ordinary’ Dark blue at the base of the flower £4.50 for 5 Green Dream 69-04 Grape Hyacinth (M. armenaicum) spike, but those flowers spiralling is undoubtedly best avoided - it above these are sea blue with pale Unfamiliar plants to many which look gives the well behaved Muscari a bifolium var to have some of the characteristics tips like white bubbles on the surf bad name. Plant them 4” (10cm) line, I suspect a possible source of kamtschaticum of some other well known garden deep and 2” (5cm) apart. 110-05 plants - Hellebores, Angelica and the inspiration for the name? maybe even Euphorbia, so one April • 5” (12cm) Much larger than the European azureum 111-15 £4.70 for 10 or £10.50 for 25 can see how these have become form, these are native to the Pacific desirable. Plants from 9cm pots Probably the easiest to grow and not rim. In leaf very much earlier than that ought to settle in this winter and at all invasive. Tightly packed powder- the form above and a bigger plant flower in 2020 blue flowers, flared open at their tips, with bright green foliage and shiny May • 24” (60cm) emerging initially cone shaped but sculptured leaves with tassle-like £7.50 becoming more rounded as more white flowers. flowers open. For a well-drained sink May • 8” (20cm) or rockery or in light soils at the front £4.50 for 5 of a spring border. March • 5” (12cm) £4.00 for 10 or £9.00 for 25

34 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Muscari White Magic Muscari Baby’s Breath Muscari Golden Fragrance Photo credit: Linda de Goede p Muscari botryoides album Muscari MUSCARIMI Muscari Valerie Finnis aucheri botryoides macrocarpum muscarimi 111-11 White Magic 111-14 album 111-06 Golden Fragrance Outstandingly sweetly musk The aucheri forms are less A smaller form with pale leaves, 111-10 scented, a strong and lovely perfume from a creamy yellow vigorous, (and by implication certainly no thug, with neat strings A form of M. macrocarpum, which flower that fades to a gunmetal not invasive) so suited to smaller of little pearls strung on pale was evidently selected from the blue-grey colour. A sunny scree bed gardens. This selection has stems. Scented. species for its cold tolerance. or a sheltered rockery may do. They attractive pale green flower buds April • 6” (15cm) Grow this where you can enjoy its £4.70 for 10 or £10.50 for 25 will need a warm sunny dry spot to opening white, initially quite pointed heavenly banana-like perfume, thrive, but do it just for the perfume. but rounded when in full flower. growing in a sunny sheltered spot April/May • 6” (15cm) April • 5” (12cm) where it gets dry in the summer £5.50 for 10 or £13.00 for 25 £4.70 for 3 whilst they have a rest. These have thick and fleshy roots to anchor Baby’s Breath (Jenny them into difficult niches. Violet Valerie Finnis 111-18 Robinson) 111-23 flowers, turning yellow as they age. Tightly packed ropes of scented powder blue flowers, best grown This form of M. neglectum was found April • 7” (18cm) in open sunny conditions. It by Jenny Robinson, the then holder £5.00 for 3 arose in Valerie Finnis’ garden in of the National Collection of Muscari Northamptonshire (by then she was in Cyprus. Opening from lime green Lady Scott). buds the flowers are in the palest of March • 7” (18cm) blues with a wonderful scent. £5.50 for 10 or £13.00 for 25 April • 6” (15cm) £4.00 for 10 or £9.00 for 25

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 35 Narcissus Photo credit: Carlos van der Veek p Narcissus paperwhite Ziva Narcissus Bath’s Flame Narcissus desert bells narcissus (daffodils) The highlight of the April garden in a ‘normal’ year, though some earlier ones are often welcome and the last will flower in May. Do plant them really quite deeply with 4-6” (10-15cm) of soil over the biggest bulbs, where they will remain cool and moist in the spring and safe from gardening activity above them in the summer. Do not be tempted to cut back or tidy the foliage after flowering – this period of replenishment of the bulb’s starchy food reserves is critical to future flowering. A Narcissus cordubensis Narcissus Angel’s Breath Narcissus Elka liquid feed whilst the leaves are still green will benefit clumps in poorer soil, but generally feeding is unnecessary. I would narcissus – narcissus – cordubensis (13) suggest that you plant in groups 113-103 (and particularly any that you protected garden A small bright yellow jonquil ‘naturalise’) resulting in swathes For indoor or very protected of the same variety and not a varieties with what I think of as a jaunty situations. These are best suited jumbled crowd – the effect is attitude. Generally with several to forcing in pots for indoor generally better. Most should Angel’s Breath (5) small gleaming fragrant flowers on display with a huge scent. They clump up from being planted each stem and narrow grass like do need lots of light and only 113-99 about 4-6” (10-15cm) apart, foliage. A raised bed in the sun is a protection from actual frost, A selected named form of jonquil further apart for more ‘relaxed’ likely requirement for it to increase so nothing too warm. They are with several pale yellow bells with planting. happily. Naturally small bulbs. also available for even earlier fractionally darker cups hanging off April • 10” (25cm) Divisions: The number in brackets planting if you order from the Late clean stems supported by narrow £6.50 for 10 after the name represents the Summer section. foliage. Best in well drained soils in type of flower expressed by the sheltered conditions, perhaps use Desert Bells (7) 113-35 divisions within the Narcissus Paperwhite Ziva (8) them as part of a melange of such Multiheaded with pale yellow family: 1= trumpet, 2= large treasures in a sunny trough? flowers that gradually fade to a cupped, 3= small cupped, 4= 113-52 April •10” (25cm) crisp white, the trumpets fading double flowered, 5= triandrus These flower very early, and £6.50 for 5 more slowly so that at any moment forms, 6= cyclamineus types, grown under protection from frost one might have all the stages 7= jonquilla forms, 8= tazetta inevitably seem to race up to flower. Bath’s Flame (3) 113-07 showing together which is nice. forms, 9 = poeticus types, 10= We work on about eight to ten Pre 1913. One of the many forms April • 10” (25cm) bulbocodium types, 11= split weeks to first bloom from potting, it £6.50 for 5 or £11.00 for 10 corona, 12 = miscellaneous, 13= that supported the Cornish cut can be quicker if warm. White and flower trade up to WW2, raised by species and wild variants (more multi-headed with a huge perfume. suitable for naturalising). Rev. Engleheart. Long stemmed Elka (1) 113-61 Plant them shallowly in the compost with petals that are wide and thin so A perfectly proportioned pale and in good light so they don’t get The suggested flowering month that they dance in the breeze, more bicoloured miniature with a relatively should be used as a guide only – too tall. Not reliably hardy outside. modern ones are far more ‘rigid’, long cream coloured trumpet and annual variation can be great, as Big bulbs. excellent for picking. Primrose milk white petals. It was raised this spring has shown. Dec/Jan • 15” (38cm) by Alec Gray, a Cornish flower £7.50 for 5 or £9.50 for 7 yellow with an orange cup. April • 20” (50cm) grower and distinguished daffodil Flowering height that we suggest £8.00 for 5 hybridiser of the 1940s and 50s. is the height at which the first March/April • 6” (15cm) flowers open, the stems often £6.50 for 10 extend thereafter.

36 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Narcissus Hawera Narcissus Julia Jane Narcissus exotic mystery Narcissus Mite

Narcissus martinette Narcissus minnow Narcissus February Gold

Exotic Hawera (5) 113-38 Julia Jane (10) 113-101 Minnow (8) 113-51 Mystery (11) 113-20 Small clear lemon-yellow flowers Soft pale yellow with billowing skirts, Multi-headed, with many small Until now I have not been a great with prominent cups and narrow a named form of N. bulbocodium primrose yellow flowers held flat fan of the split corona group, deep green foliage typify this romieuxii, the species which derives only just above the top of the usually with large flowers, but this plant. It is much happier in a drier from high on the Atlas mountains. foliage, the small cup rather darker is a smaller flowered form with and sunnier site than many of its Charmingly petite and early when they first open. It also needs slightly downcast heads in the most cousins. Shorter and more wind flowering they look better and flower more sunny conditions and to be magical soft primrose which looks tolerant. Pack them in quite tightly for longer if protected from too grown in better drained soils, but is lovely with pale Muscari blue. They for a mass of colour on a rockery. much wind and rain, but are totally one that I wouldn’t be without. seem to last ages in flower. First bred in New Zealand. hardy with regard to the cold. In the March/April • 12” (30cm) £3.90 for 10 or £9.00 for 25 April • 15” (38cm) April • 10” (25cm) summer they should stay dry. Small £6.50 for 5 or £11.00 for 10 £6.25 for 10, £14.50 for 25 bulbs as you would expect. or £26.00 for 50 Feb • 6” (15cm) Mite (6) 113-34 February Gold (6) £3.50 for 5 This is one of the most charming 113-09 of the small daffodils with dainty Martinette (8) 113-84 proportions and a long slightly Dating back to 1923. Early flowering Brilliant yellow with several flowers flared trumpet. The flowers are but, despite the name, only opening on each stem, the centres darker, deep yellow and it flaunts its in late February in very mild winters. with a small, more orange coloured cyclamineus parentage with sharply A long lasting, upright, golden cup with an enormous scent. swept back petals flying back from yellow garden favourite with slightly Narrower leaved and taller, not one the relatively long trumpet. swept back petals and a good for the shadier garden. March • 9” (25cm) stature, also good for pots or tubs. See the March • 14” (35cm) £6.00 for 3 Feb/March • 12” (30cm) Narcissus Collection £3.50 for 5 or £9.50 for 15 £5.50 for 10, £12.50 for 25 or £23.00 for 50 on page 58

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 37 Narcissus moschatus Narcissus Niveth Narcissus Pipit Photo credit: Carlos van der Veek p Narcissus More and More Narcissus oxford gold Narcissus Rikki Narcissus Rijnveld’s Early Sensation

More and More (7) moschatus (13) Oxford Gold (10) Rijnveld’s Early 113-104 113-94 113-92 Sensation (1) 113-44 Although I can’t say that I like the Palest creamy-white with a flower A selected form of N. bulbocodium Bright yellow throughout with a short name very much I can see how that always seems downcast (the hoop petticoat forms) with flared trumpet. So far not so unusual it occurred to someone, these in the way that it hangs – some masses of large, butter yellow- for a daffodil. But this variety’s real produce many flowers! Each bulb describe it as swanlike? They blooms which flower quite early with star quality is that it really does produces 4 or 5 stems each with seem to prefer damper soil in a great scent. The foliage is narrow flower in the garden around New several flowers each. Low growing more shade than most daffodils, and needle-like, indicating that they Year, sometimes earlier. It is going and late flowering ideal for a rockery but the pale colours show in would prefer a sunnier situation. over when the main daffodil season or in a planter. Naturally small bulbs. shadier conditions perfectly. April • 6” (15cm) begins. They provide a blast of April • 9” (25cm) April • 12” (30cm) £4.50 for 5 or £8.00 for 10 spring in the middle of winter, even £3.00 for 5 or £8.00 for 15 £6.00 for 3 before the snowdrops. Plant them Pipit (7) 113-32 where they might be a bit protected Niveth (5) 113-85 A multiheaded form called a from wintery gales. Glistening white with broad petals ‘reverse’ bicolor. These flowers open Dec/Feb • 10” (25cm) £5.50 for 5 or £10.00 for 10 behind a flared trumpet. Pleasantly with all parts a sharp lemon yellow scented and nicely proportioned, and then fade outwards to a paler, an old variety dating back to creamier colour from the centre of Rikki (7) 113-73 1931, another winner from the the flower (most bicolors fade from Emerging all yellow the petals fade Backhouse stable. the tips of the petals inwards) Tough to cream resulting it the flower April • 12” (30cm) enough to plant in rough grass. becoming more bicolored. Another £3.80 for 5 or £6.80 for 10 April • 12” (30cm) one that was raised by Alec Gray. £3.70 for 5 or £6.80 for 10 April • 8” (20cm) £6.50 for 5 or £11.00 for 10

38 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Narcissus Segovia Narcissus Sweetness Narcissus Sir Winston Churchill

Narcissus Silver Chimes Narcissus tete-a-tete Narcissus Sailboat Narcissus thalia

Sailboat (7) 113-89 Silver Chimes (8) Sir Winston Tete-a-tete (12) Pale and interesting with a pleasant 113-41 Churchill (4) 113-16 perfume, the white petals fly back A lovely multi-headed tazetta form 113-97 Widely grown since it was raised from the slightly flared pale yellow which would best be planted in Frilly white petals mix with splashes soon after WW2 and many people’s trumpet on flowers which seem to slightly warmer conditions where favourite small daffodil. Very short hold their chins up ! Keep calm of sulphur yellow to produce a it is not too wet. Broad leaved with frothy and exuberant flower with when first in flower, extending in and carry on flowering? pure white petals around a pale stem length as it matures and long March/April • 14” (35cm) a huge scent. They are quite tall £2.80 for 5 or £8.00 for 15 primrose cup with a huge scent. and late flowering. Reliable, with lasting in cool conditions. Deep Big bulbs. several stems per bulb and each of golden yellow and multi-headed April • 12” (30cm) these multiheaded. from the biggest bulbs. Segovia (3) 113-87 £5.00 for 5 or £9.00 for 10 April • 18” (45cm) Feb/March • 6” (15cm) These have a flattened pale lemon £3.00 for 5 or £8.50 for 15 £4.50 for 10, £10.25 for 25, trumpet that sits squarely against or £19.60 for 50 the bright white petals which flare Sweetness (7) 113-24 back slightly. The whole effect is Thalia (5) 113-42 fresh and bright with narrow leaves, Sturdy, simple, bright yellow and deliciously scented with narrow Raised in 1916. A national so it would like a brighter spot in treasure, refined and elegant and which to grow. foliage that does not get in the way, everything a daffodil ought to be! a perfect foil for all those March April • 6” (15cm) yellows with a greeny-white, multi- £4.00 for 5 or £7.00 for 10 March • 14” (35cm) £3.80 for 5 or £7.00 for 10 headed, scented flower. A well- known classy favourite. March/April • 14” (35cm) £3.20 for 5, £9.00 for 15, or £16.50 for 30

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 39 Narcissus Naturalising forms

Narcissus W.p. milner Narcissus lobularis (pseudonarcissus)

Narcissus Toto Narcissus White Lady Narcissus poeticus recurvus Narcissus obvallaris

Toto (12) 113-90 White Lady (3) 113-65 lobularis obvallaris (13) Gorgeously pale and simple Another form raised by Rev. (pseudonarcissus) (13) 113-30 flowered, the trumpet just a Engleheart pre 1897 and another 113-31 The daffodil that grows wild in shade darker than the petals and made famous as a major cut A dwarf form entirely suitable for South Wales is the Tenby daffodil, early enough to overlap with that flower variety pre WW2, now sadly naturalising. They only make small this looks just like it with a neat and blue phase in the garden when rather more rare. Taller stemmed bulbs compared to many of the tidy all yellow flower (though some the Anemones, Muscari and with soft, more tissue-like white others, and need time to settle in. doubt as whether it is exactly the Chionodoxa are at their best, the petals around a small yellow cup, Moreover they do not always flower same plant). Perfect for planting combination is wonderful. sweetly scented. well in their first season, but in our into rough grass to provide ‘bomb- March/ April • 12” (30cm) April • 18” (45cm) proof’ simple yellow daffodils. £4.60 for 3 £7.00 for 5 experience improve year on year and will fill in the gaps between March • 9” (22cm) £2.80 for 5, £8.00 for 15, bulbs with flowering seedlings W. P. Milner (1) 113-47 or £15.00 for 30 narcissus – within about 8 years. Best in cooler, Attributed to Henry Backhouse’ moisture retentive soils, north breeding in Yorkshire pre 1869 naturalising facing banks or in part shade. White poeticus and evidently named after William petalled with a darker trumpet. recurvus (13) 113-28 Pashley Milner his brother in law. forms March • 8” (20cm) The Pheasant’s Eye daffodil. Pale yellow throughout with swept- These would be the first choice £6.00 for 10 or £13.50 for 25 Wild in high alpine meadows in forward petals, beyond which of varieties to naturalise in the Europe and found gracing old peeps the shy trumpet. Long lasting true meaning of the name - to gardens and orchards here. White and good for naturalising being use to create a wild effect, where with slightly swept back petals, smaller in stature. they might increase and multiply highlighted by a stubby, burgundy March/April • 9” (22cm) gently on their own. But they £4.00 for 5 or £7.50 for 10 rimmed cup. One of the last could equally well go into your daffodils to flower and deliciously borders, where they would do the fragrant too. Better planted in same with little need for attention. dappled shade in grass, or in a cool border amongst other plants. May • 15” (35cm) £4.50 for 5, £12.50 for 15, or £23.00 for 30

40 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Sanguinaria canadensis Ornithogalum magnum moskou Paradisea lusitanica

Ornithogalum nutans Ornithogalum pyrenaicum Ornithogalum umbellatum Pimpinella major rosea ornithogalum pyrenaicum 117-11 paradisea sanguinaria Tall, slim, waving wands tipped The ‘Star of Bethlehem’ with starry pale green flowers. A lusitanica 140-04 canadensis 124-04 family. Silvery white and green naturalised native in the area of This species comes from Northern flowered and generally tough Bone hardy plants from North Bath, and hence called the ‘Bath Portugal and Spain where it grows and accommodating, many are America which love the same Asparagus’. Easy to grow in free in damp meadows. Dormant perfect for naturalising. conditions as Erythroniums, draining limey soil, planted 12” their thickened fleshy roots look Trilliums and Uvularia in humus (30cm) apart. a bit like those of a dormant rich shade where the rhizomes June • 18” (45cm) Agapanthus crown. In flower they magnum Moskou will increase slowly. The emerging £10.00 for 3 provide elegant spires of bright 117-16 stems come up clasped in a single white flowers providing impressive I have these successfully growing in leaf with red flower stems, from umbellatum 117-13 uprights in the herbaceous border, some rough (late cut) grass to follow which they get their ‘common’ and a great accompaniment to some Camassias and they are A sun lover and excellent in thin name, the ‘Bloodroot’. Simple white the Alliums. Supplied as fresh dug doing well, but they could also add grass from what are unpromising flowers in April. divisions, to be planted 4” (10cm) to a border. Tall, white flowered with looking bulbs. Clumps of them in April • 6” (15cm) deep in moisture retentive soil in dozens of flowers circling a stiff stem. sunny conditions really hug the £6.00 sun or part shade. June • 24” (60cm) ground and they are especially £6.50 for 3 useful for carpeting a sunny bank May/June • 36-48” (90-120cm) with white in April with their grey- £6.50 each or £17.00 for 3 nutans 117-09 green leaves and white flowers. Plant about 4” (10cm) apart, 10 per Very pretty, soft silvery grey-green square foot. Pimpinella flowers, bluebell-like in stature and April/May • 4” (10cm) major rosea 28-01 long lasting when picked. They £5.30 for 10, or £12.00 for 25 probably should be grown in light Cow Parsley - like plants with flat shade. If dry or stressed in May flower heads comprising of many the foliage tends to naturally begin tiny pale pink flowers over several to yellow at flowering time. Plant weeks in late spring through to early irregularly, about 3” (8 cm) apart, summer. Best in a little shade and in 10-15 per square foot. soils that are not too dry. A clump May • 9” (22cm) forming hardy perennial. Plants in £3.00 for 10, £7.00 for 25, 9 cm pots. or £13.00 for 50 May - June• 24-36” (60-90cm) £5.00

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Scilla bifolia Scilla lilio-hyacinthus Scilla lilio hyacinthus alba Photo credit: GAP Images Photo credit: GAP Images p p Scilla bifolia alba Scilla bifolia rosea Scilla mischtschenkoana (tubergeniana) scilla bifolia 125-05 bifolia rosea 125-06 lilio–hyacinthus An easy dwarf species with starry The pale pink flowered form The blue Scillas are part of that alba 125-29 purple-blue flowers and waxy Feb/Mar • 6” (15cm) group of blue flowered plants This pretty form has all the leaves. Naturalises under shrubs £3.50 for 10, £8.00 for 25, such as Anemones, Muscari or £15.00 for 50 attributes of the blue but the and Chionodoxa that enhance or in light grass in summer shade flowers are white and the leaves are and embellish the spring display where the massed heads really slightly paler than those of the blue created by the bigger bulbs. The create an early purple haze, lilio- flowered form above. Best grown in smaller ones, often sold in larger flowering with the anemones and hyacinthus 125-28 some shade. multiples, are often not used early daffodils. Small bulbs that you Broad and tidy leaved, with pretty, Mar/April • 8” (20 cm) as star performers, but they are need to be generous with, plant delicate racemes of soft pale blue. £10.00 for 3 the unmissable and necessary them 2-3” (5-8 cm) apart, 15 per Neat looking mounds of foliage chorus, supporting the prima square foot. and a joy when in flower. The bulbs mischtschenkoana donnas so you shouldn’t be Feb/Mar • 6” (15cm) are formed of loose lily-like scales without them. Their preferred £3.50 for 10, £8.00 for 25, (tubergeniana) which dislike being dried out. Clump situations do vary widely. or £15.00 for 50 forming and best in some shade. 125-17 A great addition to the early spring The earliest pale-blue gem. They bifolia alba 125-04 tapestry. Do please order these early, seem to ignore the winter cold and The white flowered form. they ‘move’ better in September emerge especially early to flower Feb/Mar • 6” (15cm) rather than too far into October. at the same time as the Cyclamen £3.50 for 10, £8.00 for 25, Mar/April • 8” (20 cm) coum and the winter aconites - far or £15.00 for 50 £10.00 for 3 earlier than other similar plants. Very hardy and well suited to the rockery or a border. Feb • 4” (10cm) £5.00 for 10 or £11.50 for 25

42 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Triteleia

Triteleia Corrina Triteleia silver queen Triteleia foxy

Scilla peruviana Scilla siberica spring beauty Triteleia Rudy

peruviana 125-11 triteleia Corrina 68-06 foxy 68-15 Suffering from an unfortunate A dark flowered form, creating a White flowered with a purple blue Early summer flowering bulbs, confusion when they first arrived haze of deep blue when viewed marking up the centre of each petal, also known in the past as which led to their unlikely name from a distance. Wiry stemmed and effectively more striped than Rudy Brodiæa but now more accurately (they are of Mediterranean Triteleia. They come from north- a deep blue that anticipates the which shows more blue. Carol Klein origin) the low broad, fleshy, near west America. So often we are Agapanthus season to come. loved them at the Gardeners’ World evergreen leaved plants produce told that they look like miniature June • 18” (45cm) Show in 2017. a big architectural flower head Agapanthus, to which they are £3.00 for 15 or £4.50 for 25 June • 18” (45cm) of bright blue flowers, especially unconnected. Their papery £4.50 for 5 or £12.50 for 15 dramatic in bud. Easy in good soil flowers are a lasting pleasure, Rudy 68-07 but they must be in full light and with up to 25 flowers per stem. The same shape and stance as T. Silver Queen 68-13 planted deeply, they do also flower Plant in well-drained soil – in Corrina but white flowered with a White with a green rib, perfect for the good light, 4” (10cm) deep and better in the spring following a broad violet blue stripe down the garden, or to use as cut flower? Just 2” (5cm) apart. warm summer. centre of each petal. Very eye- the thing to plant in a sunny border May /June • 10” (25cm) catching and ‘different’ with a long ahead of a summer wedding, given £4.90 or £14.00 for 3 vase life for when you feel that you a bit of advance warning? have enough to pick. June • 18” (45cm) siberica Spring June • 18” (45cm) £4.50 for 5 or £12.50 for 15 Beauty 125-14 £4.00 for 5 or £11.00 for 15 Bone hardy, these hail from the Black Sea area. The Prussian-blue flowers piercing through the cold ground in advance of their leaves, especially happy on sandy soils in summer shade. Mar/April • 6” (15cm) £5.00 for 10 or £11.25 for 25

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 43 Tulipa batalinii Bronze Tulipa bakeri Lilac Wonder Tulipa batalinii Honky Tonk Charm

species tulips

batalinii Salmon Gem Tulipa clusiana Peppermintstick Tulipa clusiana cynthia species tulips bakeri Lilac batalinii Salmon clusiana Cynthia The species types tend to have Wonder 131-53 Gem 131-146 131-167 small bulbs, typically about the Silvery pink with a yellow bull’s eye Pinkish red within the flower with a These are growing and flourishing size of an almond. They are in the centre of each flower, most contrasting paler, dusty pink reverse in some rough grass here particularly grown for their bright of which are multi headed and held to the petal. Grey- green leaved. somewhat to my surprise, but given bold colours in late April and above broad, deep green, glossy A relatively new hybrid for well good light and a drier summer rest early May and due to the fact leaves. A dependable sun loving drained conditions in good light. they have performed well. This form that in the right conditions some plant closely related to T. saxatalis. Late April/early May • 10” (25cm) is yellow behind the pink flush. persist from year to year and Late April/early May • 6” (15cm) £4.80 for 5 or £13.20 for 15 April • 10” (25cm) even increase better than do the £3.50 for 10 or £8.00 for 25 £3.00 for 5 or £8.50 for 15 bigger hybrid forms. In villages batalinii nearby there are various forms batalinii Bronze clusiana that I see growing and spreading. Honky Tonk 131-03 They are sun lovers and don’t Charm 131-08 Pale yellow flowered above grey- Peppermintstick want it too wet, particularly in Apricot yellow with increased green foliage. The Tulipa batalinii 131-02 the summer when the bulbs are bronzing on the petals in sunnier group are closely related to the red The furled petals look like a little resting. They are attractive to conditions. Grey-green leaved. A flowered T. linifolia types, and may stick of edible rock which, when mice and squirrels looking for the really endearing small tulip with be botanically indistinguishable. open, are ivory white inside with a high levels of the carbohydrates poise and character. Gravelly soils Late April/early May • 10” (25cm) violet eye, the backs of the petals that they contain in the autumn, or planted into a well-drained £2.80 for 5 or £7.80 for 15 are blushed cerise pink. The whole if that might be a problem there rockery would be perfect. is mention (under the Crocus effect is lovely but remember that all Late April/early May • 10” (25cm) the clusiana forms have reasonably heading) of a way of keeping £3.40 for 5 or £9.45 for 15 them protected and the same large flowers on quite slender stems applies here. They should be so plant them in sunny conditions planted quite close together. The where it is not too windy. quantity in the first pack size for April • 10” (25cm) each item would be suitable for a £5.50 for 10, £12.75 for 25 5-6” (12cm) pot or an equivalent or £24.00 for 50 area of garden.

44 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Photo credit: GAP Images p Tulipa humilis Persian Pearl Tulipa Little Beauty Tulipa praestans Shogun Tulipa sprengeri

Tulipa clusiana cynthia Photo credit: GAP Images p Tulipa humilis Lilliput Tulipa linifolia Tulipa Little Princess

humilis linifolia 131-26 Little sprengeri 131-35 Lilliput 131-15 A crimson- red flowered, low Princess 131-05 Wonderful in early summer if you Almost flowering at ground level growing small tulip with red Of complex parentage but similar can get shafts of light to pick out and in flower thereafter for ages as margins to the wavy edged leaves to the humilis forms above these the rich gold, verdigris and crimson the stem length increases slightly. suitable for any sunny well drained exhibit fiery coppery-orange colours. They will naturalise in many A glossy, deep crimson red with a garden site. coloured flowers, goblet shaped situations, either in shade or sun, dark centre. May • 6” (15cm) before opening fully in the sun, the but resent disturbance as young £4.00 for 15 or £6.00 for 25 March /April • 4” (10cm) flowers are on short stems so are plants. They are an enigmatic and £2.50 for 5 or £6.75 for 15 pretty resilient, a really cracking emblematic tulip, but we are always Little Beauty 131-27 good dwarf tulip for a sunny spot. short of them so do order early. humilis Persian Growing wild in much the same April • 5” (12cm) April • 12” (30cm) Pearl 131-12 area as T humilis these have £4.00 for 10 or £9.00 for 25 £5.50 each shockingly bright crimson-pink The species T. humilis of which flowers which open wide in the sun this is a selected form comes from praestans to reveal white and blue centres Turkey and eastwards, all the family Shogun 131-07 which is slightly startling . For a has low leaves nearly flat to the Not as dwarf as most of the other sunny well drained site again. ground and colourful flowers. They bulbs in this section but earlier to April • 5” (12cm) need full sunlight to stay compact. £4.00 for 10 or £9.00 for 25 flower than any of the hybrid forms Deep magenta rose coloured that follow. A remarkable colour for flowers with silvery backed petals a tulip, multiheaded in a clear pale April • 4” (10cm) Marigold orange. £6.00 for 10 or £14.00 for 25 March/April • 14” (35cm) £3.50 for 10

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Tulipa whittallii Tulipa sylvestris Tulipa Exotic Emperor Tulipa Orange Emperor sylvestris 131-37 turkestanica fosteriana Orange Easy to grow, and possibly the only 131-134 (Group 13) Earlier flowering than Emperor 131-72 one that will persist in some shade, Ivory and cream coloured within the main Tulip display, large One of my favourites with quite but naturally a bit shy to flower. We the flower with dark anthers flowered on sturdy stems and long flowers in pale orange with have some that have increased contrasting with the petals, available in lovely pastel colours. pretty green shading at the base. happily under an Amelanchier for 10 greenish tinged on their backs. It They need planting about 5” Good for bold contrast and a years or so, flowering intermittently is widespread in its natural range (12cm) apart and are equally great combination planted with as seems to be their nature, I am from SE Europe through to Iran suitable for containers or borders. Purissima below for an early not sure why they do not flower and Russia. Growing away early flowering twosome. more profusely. The flowers are and quite tall they need bright Exotic Mar/April • 16” (40cm) sulphur yellow and fragrant. conditions out of too much wind. £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25, April • 12” (30cm) April • 9” (20cm) Emperor 131-100 or £26.50 for 50 £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 £3.00 for 10 or £6.75 for 25 Double petalled in white and when or £29.00 for 50 about to flower somewhat rose- Purissima 131-16 like with the white buds clasped whittallii Opening a pale primrose yellow, tarda 131-38 by intriguing green bracts. Where about which we receive a number 131-42 we have seen it in gardens it has A perennial performer with larger, of phone calls wondering whether Named after Edward Whittall, a persisted for years on thin stony soil. very rounded bulbs which produce a packing mistake has occurred, plant collector extraordinaire who April • 18” (45cm) multiple flowers from each bulb, all they turn through creamy shades crammed together, honey scented collected many such treasures of £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 around Izmir in Turkey where there or £29.00 for 50 to pure white and then in late in a deep golden yellow, edged March sunshine they open wide in white. Pretty bulbs to plant in a is still a famous garden named after him. These are a gorgeous bronzy to reveal dramatic mascara black sunny site. Easy and persisting. anthers. Strong stemmed over April • 5” (12cm) orange with a dark centre and £3.00 for 10 or £6.75 for 25 would love sunny conditions in a bright green leaves, raised bed or rockery. Mar/April • 18” (45cm) £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25, April • 12” (30 cm) or £26.50 for 50 £3.80 for 5 or £10.50 for 15

46 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Photo credit: GAP Images p tulipa Annie Schilder Tulipa brown sugar Tulipa Calgary flames

Mid Season Tulips

Tulipa Calgary Tulipa Couleur Cardinal Tulipa barcelona

Mid Season Annie Schilder 131-135 Brown Sugar 131-142 Calgary Flames Warm rose orange when in bud Difficult to pin down in colour terms, 131-136 Tulips then the flower opens and pales to bronzed apricot or coppery pink A variant on the Calgary model with These Triumph (Group 3) and a lighter shade with some yellow perhaps with some purple on the a prominent yellow flush to the outer Darwin (Group 4) tulips all have at the petal edges. Broadly bowl reverse, tall and strong stemmed petals, we find them invaluable at roughly the same flowering shaped with a lovely perfume that with a beautiful perfume. flower shows as with such short season - we used to say mid seems to come with many of the April • 18” (45cm) stems they do not flop over during to late April and early May, orange tulips. Dating back to the £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 the show, so at the front of borders or £26.50 for 50 but in our fickle climate this is 1920s this is one that has been or close to the edge in big pots just a guide, some years they around a while. With Pieter de Leur, Queen of Night or Firework these too could lift your display? are early and the frequency April • 18” (45cm) April • 9” (22cm) of that happening seems to £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 only increase. These would be or £26.50 for 50 Calgary 131-48 or £29.00 for 50 planted about 5” (12cm) apart With Ballerina, Paul Scherer and Havran Very short and compact with waxy With Prinses Irene, Orange Princess and are very well suited to the white flowers that are brilliant in or Calgary open garden in borders, or containers. Some suggested Barcelona 131-159 exposed conditions, shrugging off tulip combinations that look Outstanding at Keukenhof when any wind and rain, lasting brilliantly. Couleur Cardinal good together for this purpose I visited with strong stems and a We use them at the edges of exhibits 131-126 are offered under each entry. very vibrant pink flower. It made the and you could use them in the same Intensely crimson red with darker shortlist straight away. way in the garden or containers. more plum coloured marking on the April • 18” (45cm) April • 9” (22cm) outer petals, famously scented and £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 long lasting, first named in 1845. or £26.50 for 50 or £29.00 for 50 April 16” (40cm) With Prinses Irene, Orange Princess, With Hotpants, Merlot or Honeymoon £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 Flaming Flag or purple hyacinths or £29.00 for 50 With Paul Scherer, Hotpants or Suggested planting Shirley. companions

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tulipa Hemisphere Tulipa Grand Perfection tulipa Hotpants flaming flag 131-168 Havran 131-57 Hemisphere 131-137 Jan Reus 131-62 White with broad raspberry flames Darker than plum in some lights, There are few tulips that do this, Deep purple-red when first open they from the base. The white with a with a grape like bloom dusting the although Shirley and Hotpants are fade to a ruby red with petals that crimson mix is like an expensive petals, these are not quite as dark others. These change colour as shimmer in the sun atop a dark strong ice cream, absolutely perfect in as Queen of Night but are a slightly the flowers mature so the effect stem that adds to the impact. They combination with the pink and white more pointed shape and would is one of gradual evolution, each combine with just about everything, apple blossom that is out at the open earlier, so these could start flower developing its freckling and especially the acid green foliage of same time. A few of these tulips go off your dark theme. Quite often faint stripes at a slightly different emerging Euphorbia. a long way. they have more than one flower to rate. The whole result is a range of April • 18” (45cm) April • 18” (45cm) a stem. warm colours from white through £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 April • 18” (45cm) to raspberry. Most tulips are pretty or £26.50 for 50 £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 With City of Vancouver, Havran, or £26.50 for 50 uniform, these are less so, which I With Paul Scherer, Shirley, Queen of or £26.50 for 50 Negrita or nearly everything else like. They do look better en masse. Night With Flaming Flag, City of Vancouver or Jan Reus April • 18” (45cm) £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 or £29.00 for 50 Grand With Flaming Flag, Flyaway or Havran Perfection 131-123 Exhibiting broad flashes of red over Hotpants 131-161 what is, when they first open, quite These are a little bit similar to a yellow background, but this soon Hemisphere and Shirley too, yellowy turns white for a stronger raspberry white to begin with the rim darkens and vanilla contrast. Reminiscent with red and crimson edges which of the tulips illustrated in the broaden into the petals. Multi- paintings by the Dutch Masters at stemmed and multi headed. the height of the Tulip mania. April • 20” (50cm) See the Tulips April 18” (45cm) £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 Suggested planting or £26.50 for 50 Collections on or £26.50 for 50 With Barcelona, Shirley or Tres Chic With Nightclub, Couleur Cardinal or companions page 61 Sanne

48 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Tulipa prinses irene Tulipa negrita Tulipa sanne

Tulipa Paul Scherer Tulipa mistress Tulipa shirley

Mistress 131-162 Paul Scherer prinses irene 131-10 Sanne 131-122 A clear strong pink with simple 131-107 An earthy mix of oranges, Pale apricot when they first open with flowers they remind me of an old Strong stemmed, with slightly grey- marmalade and purple, but unlikely a pinkish tinge added to the mix as favourite now unobtainable called green foliage contrasting with the as it seems they work brilliantly they mature, the tips of the petals Douglas Bader which also showed exceptionally dark cup shaped together. This is a great favourite, always slightly paler. Soft, feminine very well. flowers. I love the possibilities that with low reddish marked leaves and and subtle with a great shape. April • 20” (50cm) tulips provide to play with colours on short stem it is less affected by April/May • 18” (45cm) £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 in a way that no other plants allow. poor weather and adding in a huge or £26.50 for 50 scent, one can see why it is so or £29.00 for 50 As dark as Queen of Night and With Pacific Pearl, Jan Reus or Paul With Honeymoon, Foxtrot or popular. See also ‘Orange Princess’ Angelique probably with a stronger stem these Scherer are better than dark chocolate. which is a double form of the same April • 18” (45cm) tulip, page 54. Negrita 131-149 £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 April • 15” (38cm) Shirley 131-56 One might imagine Negrita to be or £26.50 for 50 £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 Great fun and ever-changing, and darker than the name suggests? With Honeymoon, Shirley, Couleur or £29.00 for 50 in that regard like T. Hemisphere or This is a lovely purple tulip with Cardinal or Sanne Try it with Calgary or Calgary Flame Hotpants. Pale cream throughout beetroot veining running through for a low duo, or maybe with its when first they open, then they the petals, strong stemmed too. double flowered cousin Orange gain a purple margin to each petal Princess April • 18” (45cm) with some additional freckling and £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 gradually this spreads and darkens till or £26.50 for 50 the petals are suffused purple all over With Paul Scherer, Honeymoon or La what is now a white background. Belle Epoque April/May • 24” (60cm) £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 or £29.00 for 50 With Antoinette, Pacific Pearl or Havran.

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 49 parrot Tulips Photo credit: GAP Images  Tulipa Unique de France Tulipa White Parrot Tulipa Rococo

tulipa sunny prince Tulipa Black Parrot Tulipa Antoinette

Sunny Prince 131-143 Parrot Tulips Rococo 131-127 Single Late Bright butter yellow within the Earlier than most other Parrot tulips flower, slightly paler on the backs (Group 10) Exuberance is the with short stems, these are deep (Group 5) These have simple, greatest asset of this group, elegant cup or goblet shaped of the petals, this is a relatively velvety red with the reverse of the with flowers that seem to be flowers and longer stems, short, sturdy form seemingly filled petal marked with green, the petals overflowing with frilled or fluted flowering after the mid season with happiness. petals. Dramatic is the best tightly crimped as though they had tulips (but overlapping with them). April • 14” (34cm) way to describe them I feel. been gripped too tight in the bud, £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 Wonderful to use as part of a very suitable for pots. or £26.50 for 50 Antoinette 131-153 fantastical flower arrangement. April • 12” (30cm) With Lambada, Queen of Night or Big and heavy headed, best in £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 A chameleon tulip which starts Prinses Irene or £26.50 for 50 good light and in some breeze greenish-yellow then fades to With Jan Reus, Paul Scherer or which will shake the rain from the creamy-yellow with a hint of pink White Parrot for vivid contrast Unique de multitudinous petals. and finally turns salmon pink with France 131-121 a touch of orange. With a multi White Parrot 131-64 headed nature this provides lots of Amazing petals - shiny and flower and continual development gleaming like a newly painted pillar Black Parrot 131-17 Large flowered, the whole head and interest. box, certainly one of the most vibrant The unopen flower buds seem to bursting full of crimped petals, April/May • 18” (45cm) coloured tulips but most unique for be clutched in a green fingered grip like clouds of egg white about to and when it escapes to flower the become meringue, the outermost £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 its foliage, the leaves are deep green or £29.00 for 50 ones with a tinge of creamy green. and very waxy, quite different from dark chocolate purple petals seem With Firework, Nightclub or April/May • 18” (45cm) any other tulip’s foliage. Good for the to erupt in a cockscomb of frilled Angelique excess, a dark favourite indeed. £7.70 for 10, £18.00 for 25 garden or containers where they will or £33.00 for 50 be noticed! April/May • 20” (50cm) £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 With Queen of Night, Sanne or April • 16” (40cm) or £29.00 for 50 Backpacker £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 With White Triumphator, Groenland or £29.00 for 50 or Spring Green Suggested planting Outstanding on its own. companions

50 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 single late tulips

Tulipa city of vancouver Tulipa Queen of Night Tulipa night club

Lily Flowered Tulips

Tulipa Ballerina Tulipa firework Tulipa greenstar Tulipa fly away

City of Vancouver Queen of Night 131-58 Ballerina 131-65 Fly Away 131-164 131-156 One of the darkest delights, and Soft tangerine coloured flowers, Much more apparently ‘Lily flowered’ Pale creamy yellow and turning paler justifiably one of our best sellers. though different lights and differing with the typically pointed silhouette, as they age. Simply gorgeous. Though not quite black, only Paul levels of UV light seems to result in the band of yellow is narrower and April/May • 20” (50cm) Scherer comes close. The deepest some variation in the shade from the red rather more pronounced. £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 hue shows on bulbs in direct year to year. One of my favourites April/May • 22” (55cm) or £26.50 for 50 sunlight, in more shade they are (and in that I am not alone), I £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 With Queen of Night, Pacific Pearl or deep purple and often taller. particularly love its scent when or £26.50 for 50 With Firework, Unique de France or Mistress April/May • 24” (60cm) warmed in the sun. The tangerine Hemisphere £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 hue also goes perfectly with all the Night Club 131-154 or £26.50 for 50 leafy greens, altogether very eye- With City of Vancouver, Honeymoon catching with a heady perfume. Greenstar 131-165 A multi headed variety with a strong or Pacific Pearl plum red colour. With more flowers April/May • 20” (50cm) I saw these at Keukenhof on a ready to emerge as the first reach £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 busy day there, it was heaving with or £26.50 for 50 their peak they seem to have a people and I had trouble getting With Queen of Night, Sanne or Firework greater longevity of flowering. Rest Lily Flowered close to take a shot of these tulips assured they neither flash, nor is Tulips without people in the way because there a deep bass rumble. Firework 131-163 everyone else was taking selfies in April/May • 20” (50cm) (Group 6) Characterised by their A bright and zingy combination of front of them. They were evidently £7.30 for 10, £17.00 for 25 longer stems and that refined strong yellow petals with a bright red the right background for everyone or £32.50 for 50 ‘hour glass’ shape to the flower, flare up the centre of each petal, Not else. They are extraordinary, very With Negrita, Couleur Cardinal or waisted when in bud and opening particularly tall so perhaps a better angular, vase shaped and strongly Foxtrot up in the sun with pointed tips. choice for windy sites? green marked. They are great in flower borders, April/May • 16” (40cm) April/May • 20” (50cm) and in tall containers which seem £7.30 for 10, £17.00 for 25 £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 to exaggerate the stem length. or £32.50 for 50 or £29.00 for 50 With Foxtrot, Hemisphere or With Groenland, Flyaway or White Groenland Parrot

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 51 Tulipa Pieter de Leur Tulipa madalyn Tulipa Tres Chic

Tulipa White Triumphator Tulipa Merlot Tulipa honeymoon

Madalyn 131-166 Pieter de Leur 131-150 White Fringed Tulips Most impressively coloured with Glistening, vibrant, deep vermilion red, Triumphator vibrant pink over most of the petal almost opalescent as a ruby tiffany 131-46 (Group 7) First popular in the and a base of green, the flowers lamp, not a tulip for the faint hearted florist shops these are fringed All white with long clean green splay open very dramatically and but then these are showy tulips by frills along the edges of stems. An iconic and popular tulip, widely. It was also being hugely doing what they do best! My father’s the petals, they are not just but not so typically lily flowered in admired in Holland. New, and I think favourite with his dimming eyes. frivolous though, they provide a its shape. They seem always more it will be in heavy demand. April/May • 18” (45cm) contemporary twist. dramatic when provided with a April/May • 20” (50cm) £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 £7.30 for 10, £17.00 for 25 or £26.50 for 50 stronger background against which Honeymoon 131-95 or £32.50 for 50 With Spring Green, Groenland or to view them. Creamy white, sometimes with With Barcelona, Pieter de Leur or White Triumphator April/May • 20” (50cm) a tinge of green and edged in Pacific Pearl £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 a sparkling white frosted fringe. Trés Chic 131-66 or £29.00 for 50 A cracking tulip that looks as Safe as houses, goes with Merlot 131-130 Creamy white when in bud, though it has just been drawn everything! Tall and elegantly poised with becoming white with faint green from the ice bucket. flowers that mimic a wine glass in tips to the pointed petals as they April/May • 15” (38cm) open properly, sometimes with pink £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 both shape and content, there is no or £29.00 for 50 as well. Much shorter in stature doubt about how the name arose. With Mistress (which might seem a bit April/May • 28” (65cm) which in exposed gardens or some unconventional?), or anything else! £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 planters may be an advantage, a or £29.00 for 50 tulip that lives up to its name. With Barcelona, Havran or Pieter de April/May • 12” (30cm) Leur £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 or £26.50 for 50 See the Tulip Collections on Suggested planting With Unique de France, Mistress or page 61 companions Negrita

52 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Fringed Tulips

Tulipa pacific pearl Tulipa lambada Tulipa Angelique

viridiflora Tulips Photo credit: GAP Images  Tulipa Spring Green Tulipa groenland Tulipa artist

Lambada 131-151 Viridiflora Groenland 131-44 Double A fringed apricot - rose coloured A subtle combination with pink tulip with perhaps a hint of orange Tulips and green coloured flowers shot Petalled as well. A bit shorter with rather a (Group 8) Multi-coloured tulips with cream, the effect is calming Tulips smaller head. with vertical colour banding, and unfussy and the colours April/May • 18” (45cm) most often in green. Some of are easy to mix with any pink or (Group 11) Also known as the £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 these exhibit complicated colour green combinations. Paeony flowered forms. These or £29.00 for 50 patterning, like an artist’s mixing April/May • 18” (45cm) tend to be late flowering with With Sunny Prince, Artist or Brownie palette. In the borders they £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 more spherical buds and rounded provide great opportunities to or £26.50 for 50 flower shapes, filled with deep Pacific Pearl 131-152 create subtle combinations. With Sanne, Madalyn or Greenstar layers of petals. Gorgeous against the light when the richness of the colour shows Artist 131-155 Spring Green 131-51 Angelique 131-24 at its best, and the frilly edge Shorter in stature, one of the early Pale apple-white petals marked Often multi-headed, the flowers means that you can mix them with forms of viridiflora with salmon with wispy green brush strokes filled with ruffled petals in delicate any of the other unfringed ones and green coloured petals. on the back of each petal. Often shades of pink, genuinely paeony- and find that they complement April/May • 12” (30cm) less ‘regular’ in height and flower like from a distance, somewhat each other hugely. £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 shape compared to many other shorter in stature than most. Late April/May • 18” (45cm) or £26.50 for 50 tulips but ideal for separating flowering beauties for borders as £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 strong colours in the border or for well as cut flower. or £26.50 for 50 With Lambada, Greenstar or flower arranging. One of the all- With Lambada, Honeymoon or City April/May • 16” (40cm) Night Club time favourites. £6.80 for 10, £15.80 for 25 of Vancouver April/May • 18” (45cm) or £29.00 for 50 £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 With Backpacker or Hemisphere or £26.50 for 50 With everything, and they all look better for it!

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 53 double petalled Tulips

Tulipa Backpacker Tulipa Orange Princess Tulipa La Belle Epoque

Tulipa Foxtrot Tulipa brownie Uvularia grandiflora

Backpacker 131-157 Foxtrot 131-147 Orange uvularia I have been looking for a better An early flowering double in Princess 131-140 Bombproof but quite slow tulip than Blue Diamond, the colour old rose pink which deepens in I was tempted to list this alongside growing woodland plants of N. of which is fantastic, but the stem colour as the flowers age. Tidy Prinses Irene, it is after all a double America needing cool leaf-mould is less strong. These seem to be and neat and much earlier than form of that favourite tulip. But rich soils in part shade. Quite better and are nearly the same hue, the similar Angelique. being a double this is where it fits slow growing but established a mauve through to violet purple April • 12” (30cm) best and if you love the single form clumps are quietly impressive, pom pom. £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 but easy to achieve in time in or £26.50 for 50 you will recognise the similarity and April/May • 18” (45cm) the right conditions, brilliant With Sunny Prince, Havran or perhaps be tempted to try them? £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 with other choice shade plants or £26.50 for 50 Orange Princess I find the encircling green tipped petals rather appealing. like Trilliums, Sanguinaria and With Angelique, La Belle Epoque or Erythronium. Unique de France April/May • 16” (40cm) La Belle £7.30 for 10, £17.00 for 25 Epoque 131-104 or £32.50 for 50 grandiflora Brownie 131- 169 Another colour that is difficult to A coppery coloured double with describe: pinkish or even pale tea- With Firework, Calgary Flames or 133-05 Annie Schilder a relatively short stem which is rose coloured, turning more apricot Known as the Merrybells in the advantageous as the heads become as the flower develops, a more eastern USA. Deep yellow flowers heavy with any rain and so long subtle colour that goes well with hanging from arching stems. Soft stemmed doubles tend to bend a lot. the pinks and lilacs that are often foliage but completely resistant to April • 14” (35cm) prevalent in tulips. our coldest weather. £6.30 for 10, £14.50 for 25 April/May • 18” (45cm) April • 12” (30cm) or £26.50 for 50 £7.70 for 10, £18.00 for 25 Suggested planting £6.00 With Foxtrot, Queen of Night or or £33.00 for 50 companions Firework With Ballerina, Brownie or Sanne

54 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Ordering from Avon Bulbs

This catalogue covers the period May 2019 to December 2019. It costs £2. Delivery may be weather affected Prices are given at the end of each plant description; prices are for a single bulb or plant unless stated otherwise. We despatch ‘Autumn’ orders through from mid September to early November dependant on the prevailing conditions, the ‘Late Summer’ orders between late Aug Please list acceptable alternatives and mid September. All plants and bulbs are offered subject to availability. Stocks we anticipate being Delivery can be tailored to your needs saleable as we write the catalogue in April sometimes fail before their due despatch season in Sept - Nov, but that’s gardening. We do not make substitutions, but a list We use the Post Office (Royal Mail) for smaller parcels, DPD Local for larger parcels. of alternative bulbs that might be acceptable helps greatly. Both organisations now allow us to specify Safe Place Leaving Instructions and if these are provided no signature on delivery is required, the delivery will be made Payment following those instructions. If you do not specify a Safe Place you will have to sign for Please order by post and send your payment with your order with cheques made the parcel or arrange a redelivery on receipt of their card. If you might be away during out to Avon Bulbs Ltd. “Not To Exceed” (NTE) cheques are a convenient and safe our delivery season, please tell us – we can fit around most dates. way to allow for slight variations in your order — particularly useful for late orders Providing us with your email address means that you will receive an email from us where availability is less certain, after 1 September. Make the cheque out as usual confirming despatch of your parcel, and a further email from DPD Local (if your and sign it but do not date it or complete the value in words or in figures. At the top parcel is bigger) confirming the expected delivery date and time slot of one hour. of the cheque write “Not to exceed £X”, where X is a round number of pounds that If you wish to collect your order please either advise us of the intended date or allow is likely to be enough. Once your order has been sent, we complete the date and us to suggest one. Around most dates up to the end of October. amounts to match the amount invoiced (and supplied), bank the cheque and your account is settled. Completed cheques (ie not NTE cheques) are banked as orders Please raise problems promptly are accepted. While we try to ensure everything is correctly named and labelled, errors do occur Paying by card: points to note occasionally.­ If we seem to have made a mistake please tell us as soon as possible; late complaints are very difficult to deal with in the same reason if stocks are limited. We normally debit your account when bulbs are despatched, not when your order is Regrettably,­ the bulbs we sell cannot be absolutely­ guaranteed to flower and thrive, received, so do try to ensure that your card does not expire before the date when we nature is fickle sometimes and we cannot be responsible for its vagaries, or even will need to draw from the account. poor gardening. Please allow for p&p We do keep computerised records with your name and address and order history for our own business use and for our carriers to communicate with you regarding a The contribution towards packing and delivery is £4.95 per order (mainland UK). It delivery. We will not sell or pass on your details to any other businesses and all credit is likely that for larger orders this will be exceeded by costs to ourselves. Orders to card details that are stored by us are done so in an encrypted manner that we cannot mainland UK for any season over the value of £100 P&P is waived. You will however ourselves view. Please see Page 8 for the full GDPR Privacy Policy. receive an acknowledgment, individual planting instructions for all items, a strong box and further catalogues from us whilst you continue to order. For customers with By placing an order with us customers are agreeing to these terms. If you do not wish addresses outside the UK mainland (Channel Isles, Northern Ireland, Isles of Wight, to receive any marketing material from us please let us know. Man, Shetlands etc.) we will probably need to add a surcharge dependant on the Overseas customers are requested to check the website for details of the costs weight of the parcel and your location, this sometimes takes the cost of a parcel (or two of shipping to the European Union. The minimum postal cost for non UK orders if we split the delivery) to about £15.00. is £10.00. Please retain our acknowledgement We acknowledge all orders by post or email unless the order is to be despatched immediately. If you need to contact us about your order, please use this invoice reference number.

Five year Diaries! This remarkable diary really is a real memory builder! As you fill one entry you cannot help but look back to what you wrote on the same day in past years. Keeping a record year on year of the weather for the day can really help you understand your garden and its microclimate, as well as remind you of your gardening successes and lessons to learn. But you can also include films you saw, books you read, how much jam you made, who called for a chat or came to dinner, what you ate, what the grandchildren told you, the list is endless! Finished in a wipe clean cover and spiral bound with botanical illustrations by Susan Olgilvy marking the start of each month. 6” wide (15 cm) and just over 9” deep (23.5 cm) and weighing 770g these are provided in a purpose made delivery sleeve and can be posted at any time (they make great Christmas presents) but can be started at any time of year. Unique to ourselves and not available elsewhere. £17.50 including P&P (within UK) Additional EU postage £6.00

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 55 Seeds from Avon Bulbs We have a seed box which travels to the shows and from which customers can pick out seed packets that they might like to purchase. The range is small and generally reflects the plants that we have grown and are showing to associate well with the bulbs on the display (but the annuals flower from seed very much more quickly than bulbs). But many of our mail order customers do not see us at the shows and may like the chance to buy a packet or two? Availability may be limited depending on the demand at the shows!

777-025 777-003 777-024 777-004 777-006

Average seed contents: 20 Average seed contents: 80 Average seed contents: 15 Average seed contents: 15 Average seed contents: 25

Allium cernuum Camassia leichtlinii Cerinthe major Dahlia coccinea Gladiolus tristis ‘Avon’s Stellar hybrids’ ‘Purpurascens’ var palmeri Claret pink flowered plants of A beautiful South African species that reasonably well drained locations in Hardy North American plants, A hardy annual from the Single orange-red flowers in late flowers in April/May in Britain with full sun. Of North American origin Camassia all like heavy soils in sun Mediterranean region, known as summer on a plant which exhibits wonderful pale straw coloured flowers and hardy in the UK, self sown or part shade. They flower in late April Honeywort. An aristocratic border very dissected ‘frothy’ foliage. The with pretty green highlights and a good seedlings spreading and thickening or early May, (after the blue flowered plant which is beautiful and versatile. plant can be large, the seed was perfume in the evenings. 3-4’ (30-40 one’s clumps. Summer flowering forms which produce little or no seed). It is adored by bees and is much collected from an established plant cm) tall. They will need a sheltered about 18” (45 cm) tall with leaves The flowering plants are 24-26” tall favoured as a cut flower. It has about 7’ tall. Dahlias like a rich situation in cold gardens or cold that persist for much of the year. (60-90 cm). Colours will vary - pink, glaucous leaves with interesting fertile soil and need planting in the districts, but if they can be grown in a The flowers are good for beneficial lilac, blue, cream and green. purple bracts and bell shaped flowers sun. They may need a mulch (or to favoured spot they will set seed and insects. They may take 3 years to from May to September. be lifted) in cold gardens, but the increase. They are in leaf through much flower from seed, some will flower in species forms seem hardier than the of the winter when they will cope with their 2nd year hybrids. These should flower in their temperatures down to -3ºC. first season.

777-008 777-027 777-030 777-005 777-026

Average seed contents: 80 Average seed contents: 15 Average seed contents: 50 Average seed contents: 20 Average seed contents: 50

Nicotiana mutabilis Nectaroscordum Nigella papillosa Orlaya Grandiflora Pimpinella (Ornamental Tobacco) siculum ‘African Bride’ and (White Lace Flower) major rosea Closely related to Alliums (the ‘Midnight’ A striking tender plant up to 5’ (1.5m) A plant of meadows, vineyards and Deep pink of small flowers, ornamental onion), originally from The species is an annual and native to with showers of white flowers which olive groves in the Mediterranean. they look like a pink flowered cow Asia minor and Mediterranean these southern Spain and southern France turn through pink to a deep magenta as Fern-like foliage and lace-like parsley. Blooms in May/June, have tall smooth stems on which and is synonymous with N. hispanica. they mature. The effect is spectacular white umbels, with the outer petals ideally in the sun or light shade, there open dangling bell shaped These are collected oddities with greatly with both colours present on the plant larger than the inner. 18-24” tall 40” (100cm) tall. Sow the seeds in flowers in pink, purple and green. enlarged and contrasting stamens. together. Flowers in the late summer. (45-60cm). An easy to grow annual the autumn in ordinary garden soil When dry they stand erect. The White flowered plants with purple-black If a plant is overwintered (in frost free setting seed that you can collect or gritty compost (as they require whole plant is very garlic scented stamens as well as deep blue flowered conditions) flowering is much earlier and grow. chilling to break the dormancy) and when handled. They grow best in plants with blue stamens. A lovely and more profuse the second year. overwinter the seed tray outside. lighter soils in sun or part shade and mix that flowers over the typical ‘Love They may not germinate until the are happy growing in grass. They in the Mist’ foliage which is fine and spring. Prick out into small pots flower in the early summer about 30” fennel-like. Insect friendly (75cm) tall. when the seedlings are large enough Plants to handle and when these plants are large enough themselves plant into their final position. P&P for any number of seed packets ordered alone within UK £1.50,or destinations within the EU please add £2.50 P&P

56 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019

777-013 777-014 Any packet More seeds from of seeds Avon Bulbs £2.50

777-019 777-028 777-031

Double Black Double Lilac

Papaver somniferum 777-012 Fully double flower heads of various colours. June flowering about 36” (90cm) tall. May need staking in windy gardens. They are plants of open, sunny situations in well drained soil and are hardy, but annual, so you will be reliant on falling (or collected) seed for future years. Self fertile, Average seed contents: 10 Average seed contents: 10 Average seed contents: 10 but some slight variation in flower Double Shiraz colour may occur.

Lunaria annua Lunaria Lunaria 777-011 777-017 Chedglow Corfu Blue Somerset Marble

Hardy biennial flowering April to early Hardy biennial, flowering in the spring Hardy biennial, flowering in the spring May with wonderful chocolate leaves often earlier than other Lunaria, with with purple flowers and wonderful and lilac flowers, growing to 3’ (1 m) purple-blue flowers on purple flushed marbled leaves, often edged in red, or a bit more. Decorative seed heads stems, growing to 3’ (90cm) tall and a growing to 3’ (90cm) tall. The seed persist with translucent discs that can spread of up to 30” (75cm). The seed cases are like translucent discs that be used in dried arrangements. cases are distinctive as papery silvered can be used in dried arrangements. seed heads. These may hybridise with Sow two seeds per single pot outside other Lunaria close by. The leaves are in a shady sheltered spot and plant out browsed by rabbits. into the border in full sun or part shade when large enough. Double Pink Blackcurrant Fizz

777-029 777-010 777-023

Glove sizing: If unsure this is a guide – finger to wrist, or right round the palm, whichever the larger measure – under 8” we think the Small (7) size is likely to fit best, over 8” our Medium (10) may be better. Average seed contents: 50 Average seed contents: 15 Average seed contents: 30 Maxiflex

Tagetes patula Tulbaghia cominsii Tulipa sprengeri Gardening Gloves x violacea More and more people now garden in gloves. Varying from deep red through to May flowering species tulip, now yellow a gloriously warm mix of Long flowering perennial of South unknown in the wild. Red flowered, These are hard wearing and comfortable colours on well branched and bushy African origin. Long thin leaved often verdigris marked on the outside gardening gloves that still allow you to feel what plants. A well known and loved foliage, onion scented when crushed. with contrasting golden anthers. you are doing but most importantly one’s hands annual that flowers all summer, even Purple – pink flowers from June to About 18” (40cm) tall. May take 3-4 from seed sown as late as June to October, 18-24” (45-60 cm) tall. years to flower, but avoid disturbance do not sweat inside them. Washable (inside fill in some bare patches. Sow them Seedlings may vary, due to the hybrid in the area. Once flowering will self out in a cool wash). The Medium size fits nearly thinly in sunny fertile soils that have nature of the plant. Plants flower in seed. Bulbs flower when grape sized everyone here, though a Small size is offered warmed up from March to June and their second year. Very good patio or larger. water in. plants in planters, enjoying warm too. Include these with an order for £5.00 each conditions and very drought tolerant. (sent on their own please add £3.00 postage). In cold areas mulch plants in the ground in winter and protect pots from extended freezing temperatures. Hardy 669 - 01 Maxiflex gloves (Medium) £5.00 outside to about -10˚C. 669 - 02 Maxiflex gloves (Small) £5.00

P&P for any number of seed packets ordered alone within UK £1.50,or destinations within the EU please add £2.50 P&P

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 57 2019 Collections

cristophii x10 Purple Sensation x10 Flower Record x15 Pickwick x15

Allium Collection Crocus Collection

Purple Rain x10 sphaerocephalon x15

£24.50 £17.50

C m ro u c li u l s A Themed Golden Yellow x15 Collections of Queen of the Blues x15 999-348 Bulbs for autumn 999-349 planting in pots or the garden.

Ideal as s P u la Gifts. s n is te rc r Na

£19.50 £26.00

Muscari Blue Magic x10 Narcissus Oxford Gold x10 February Gold x10 Sweetness x 10 ‘A layered ‘Lasagne’ Planter Narcissus Collection

Tulipa Purissima x10 Narcissus Minnow x10 poeticus recurvus x10 W. P. Milner x10 999-351 Potting instructions included. 999-350

58 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 Order for Autumn despatch Please specify plants and costs here, and complete the other side of the form.

Stock Price and No. of packs No. x price ref. no. Plant name pack size required £

131-24 Tulipa Angelique (EXAMPLE ONLY) 6.80/10 2 13.60

The example at the top shows the information we need – in particular, the reference number given subtotal beside the plant name in the catalogue. If possible, specify acceptable alternatives in case some of your choices are not available. carriage

The normal postage and packing costs on any Autumn Order is £4.95 (UK Mainland only) Orders over £100 are sent free of P&P total

Please record personal and payment details overleaf

Remember – cards, gloves and diaries can be ordered to accompany your bulbs, saving on postage. Please fold this sheet into a smaller envelope to avoid postal surcharges

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 59 Office use only: Mail Order for Autumn 2019 Date received: Plants and bulbs to flower in the spring Order No:

Avon Bulbs Ltd • Burnt House Farm • Mid Lambrook South Petherton • Somerset • TA13 5HE

Title: Mr Mrs Miss Other ______

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Street: ______

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Email address: ______@______It may be helpful for us or the carrier to contact you if any problems arise. Please complete these questions (We now need your permission to stay in touch, except with regard to this order) By Post: Are you happy to receive our printed catalogues in the future? Yes No By Email: Do you wish to receive occasional emailed Newsletter from us along with any Special Offers? Yes No (We will not sell or pass on any contact details except to manage your order (see more on this on page 8)

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60 Avon Bulbs Mail Order Catalogue Autumn 2019 2019 Collections

City of Vancouver x10 Calgary Flames x10 Annie Schilder x10 Brown Sugar x10

White Collection Zesty Collection

Honeymoon x10 White Triumphator x10 Couleur Cardinal x10 Orange Emperor x10

£24.00 £23.00

e Z t es i t h y W Colour Themed or Seasonal Tulip 999-352 Collections. 999-353 10 of each of 4 varieties for planting in pots or the garden. B r Ideal as Gifts. le ig a ht P

£23.00 £24.00

Fly Away x10 Pieter de Leur x10 Angelique x10 Green Star x 10 Bright Collection Pale Collection

Pacific Pearl x10 Unique de France x10 Mistress x10 Shirley x10 999-354 999-355

Tel: 01460 242 177 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.avonbulbs.co.uk Avon Bulbs 61 If undelivered please return to sender: Avon Bulbs Burnt House Farm Mid Lambrook South Petherton Somerset TA13 5HE

Please recycle this item after use either onthewebsitebyphoneorevenataflowershowthatweattend. equally easily redeem the voucher that will besent to them against a purchase, the You can buy our Gift Tokens through the website: Just click on to Additemsyourbasketandtheywilldojustthat.Easy! which youmightorderandthenAddthem.Oncehavecompletedyourlistgo field andthengototheSelectionOption(belowthat)beshownpacksizes alongside everyiteminthecatalogueieIrisbucharica103-09)intoSearch wish toorderinthecatalogueyoujustneedputtheircodenumber(asprinted There isalsoaQuick Order Form function. If youhavefounditemsthat you canlookagainwithaviewtoorderingthatitem. that plantreadytoorderyou’llgetanemailsay address andthenexttimethatwehave an Interest’byputtinginyouremail it is‘OutofSeason’youcan‘Register it somewhere and want to order it, but If youhaveseenaplant,orreadabout about? not yetknow that youmay of our website Some features 669-03 668-02 We can offer 2sizes,bothcylindrical: long lastingpotsfrom theFinofilrange. small bulbsandspecial snowdrops.Theseareruggedand root outintothesurrounding soilbutnotescape.Goodfor made lid)offerprotection frompests.Theplantswithincan at oncewithoutexcessivedisturbance(and your ownhome- them from‘wandering’,meansthatyoucan movethemall contain specialbulbsinthegarden.Thishelps tokeep We havelongsuggestedtheuseofaquaticbasketsto Gifts andVouchers sectionwhereyoucanmakeanorder. Therecipientcan Something New! 23 cmdiameter x13cmdeep(3.5litre) 14 cmdiameter x10cmdeep(1litre) Mesh Pots £2.00 eachor 3for£5.00 Shop to access 3 for£4.00