By Carol Cowan, Netherlands Flowerbulb Information Centre

In Europe, an annual ‘Bulb of the Year’ election takes place in various countries. In North America, the comparable award is the ‘Best of the Best,’ a collection of 10 bulbs within a specific category, voted on by a select group of Dutch and North American bulb growers, horticulturists and exporters.

     The 2001 collection is one of ‘Special’ bulbs. In announcing the winners of the 2001 Best of the Best collection, Frans Roozen, technical director of the International Flower Bulb Centre of Holland explains, “No, ‘Special’ is not necessarily synonymous with ‘Miscellaneous.’ Rather, this year’s collection is linked by one outstanding attribute, which is that each bulb is a great performer within its specific genus.

     “In the main, these are some of the smaller, more subtle members of the spring-blooming bulb family. Some naturalize into carpets of first-blush-of-spring colour, while others, such as Allium sphaerocephalon, provide punchy ‘exclamation marks’ of interest in the late spring-early summer garden.”

     For the professional landscaper, whether the client be municipal, corporate or residential, this collection is well worth noting. Six of the bulbs: Anemone blanda, Chionodoxa, Galanthus, Muscari, Puschkinia and Scilla siberica are excellent naturalizers in zones 4 to 7. So, if there are berms, hillsides or even grassy areas in need of a burst of spring colour, one-time mass plantings will reap years of ever-expanding rewards.

Allium sphaerocephalon
Common name: drumsticks

• excellent companion planting to Hosta, Alchemilla and ornamental grasses
• one of the most reliable Allium species in North America
• very strong in windy gardens
• after flowering, seedpod remains decorative throughout the season and even adds interest to the winter garden
• naturalizes easily in zones 5 to 8
• early summer blooming

Scilla siberica
Common name: Siberian Squill

• extremely winter-hardy, and a great naturalizer as, as its name implies, it originated in Siberia
• best used in rock gardens, borders, under trees and shrubs and anywhere you want a carpet of blue in early spring
• early to mid season blooming

Puschkinia libanotica
Common name: Lebanon squill

• as they are completely winter-hardy, naturalizing is a breeze
• with light shade and in soil that is sufficiently moisture-retentive, these little plants can even be self-seeding
• an impressive display can be achieved by planting in clumps and drifts under trees and shrubs
• mid season blooming

Muscari armeniacum
Common name: grape hyacinth

• this is the best known of the species
• most commonly an intense blue or purple, there is also a white variety
• easily naturalizes in well-drained soil in zones 4 to 8
• when naturalized, its long leaves tend to develop in the fall and often suffer a bit of frost damage (brown tips on the leaves) during winter, although the flowers themselves are seldom damaged.
• mid season blooming

Chionodoxa forbesii (synonym: luciliae)
Common name: glory-of-the-snow

• over the past few years the name of this flower has changed back and forth, making buying/ordering it very confusing. It is now officially C. forbesii, but is still often sold as C. Luciliae.
• one of the first flowers to bloom in the early spring
• planted in clumps or drifts, it well suits an informal garden style
• tends to naturalize in zones 4 to 7

Galanthus nivalis
Common name: snowdrop

• snowdrops often bloom while the snow is still melting. They are not disturbed by further, quick melting snowfalls.
• if planted in lawns, they need to be left alone until they’ve completely died off – about six weeks after flowering period —usually well timed to when grass needs its first mowing
• naturalizes easily in zones 4 to 7, especially in moist soil which supplies sufficient nutrients

Hyacinthoides hispanica
Common name: Spanish bluebell or wood hyacinth

• often mistakenly sold as Scilla campanulata, Endymiion hispanicus or Scilla hispanica
• in the wild, the colour of this species is violet-blue. However, there are also large-flowering pink, white, light blue and dark blue cultivars available. Usually they are sold in a mix of colours.
• as bulbs are bare (without papery tunics), they should be planted as soon as possible after purchase
• late season blooming

Iris reticulata
Common name: dwarf iris

• use where the intricate yellow patterns in the midst of their violet or purple petals can be appreciated up close
• eminently suitable for rock gardens where their diminutive size (10 cm) combines well with other rockery plants
• early season blooming

Anemone blanda
Common name: windflower

• most often sold as a mix of white, blue, pink and mauve
• great ground cover companion to white-and pink-blooming trees
• with a dry top soil and enough water just below the surface, will naturalize in zones 4 to 7
• mid-season blooming

Narcissus ‘Hawera’

• each stem bears six to eight delicately scented, pale canary-yellow flowers
• has less foliage than other narcissi
• exceptional performer where subtle colours are a requirement
• late season blooming