Small Spring Bulbs

Small Spring Bulbs for blooming in the garden. Information on Chionodoxas, snowdrops and crocuses for gardeners.

Small Spring Bulbs

"Who dreamed the frozen mould These elfin cups might hold ? Amethyst, ivory, gold !" - AGNES S. FALCONER.

THE fact has scarcely been realized, or at least has not been sufficiently stated in gardening literature, that immense effects are to be gained from very small flowers: that, viewed in one light, they are more effective than are many of our popular large flowering plants.

Take the Giant Sunflower as an example. The golden blossoms are grand against blue sky, but what a dreary length of stem and mere foliage mass supports them, and how they need carpeting round in order that the cheerfulness of their beds or borders shall be secured !

Take the blue Chionodoxa as example of a small flower that produces displays bound to be remembered. The Cornflower colour, laid over yards of ground, in shrubbery glades, on bank sides by the house windows or doorsteps, on rockeries that flank the caniage sweep, in belts in border fronts, over plots beneath almond or orchard trees, as bold rings round golden- privet clumps, or as lawn beds, will not let itself be forgotten.

Gardeners waste the smaller bulbous plants habitually by using them too cautiously or scattering large quantities in little groups about the borders.

Think of a long grass walk in earliest spring, then picture it fully flanked by Crocus gold, Chionodoxa blue, the white of Snowdrops, and if you possess a turf path at all you will be unsatisfied till you have laid foundations for this glory. I can almost say that merely narrow edgings of Crocuses are an abomination ! Only those who have seen fields of the violet, blue, red-purple, mauve, white, know how we dishonour a flower of tremendous possibilities.

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