Types of Plants – Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes

Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes are herbaceous plants, when they die back at the end of each season all the goodness from the plant matter is stored in the bulb, corm or rhizome. The following season when the conditions are just right and there is moisture in the soil, the bulb will begin to sprout leaves and roots, turning into the colourful plants we love. Because of their unique storage system these plants are often long lived but they do need to be planted and cared for properly

Care: There are bulbous plants for most conditions from bright sunshine to deep shade, the thing they have in common is that they all hate sitting in the wet and will often rot away if the situation isn’t well drained. Plant spring flowering bulbs such as crocus, daffodils and snowdrops between August and October, leaving tulips until late October or early November. Summer flowering bulbs should be planted from mid spring. Incorporate well-rotted organic matter and a balanced fertiliser at planting time and add some grit to heavy soils. Most bulbs should be planted 2-3 times their depth but check the packaging carefully.

Deadhead the flowers regularly and apply a low nitrogen, high potassium fertiliser in subsequent years. Lift and divide if they become overcrowded.

Many bulbous plants are threatened in the wild so it is important to buy bulbs from cultivated sources only.

Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes in our Garden: Below is a selection of Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes we have in our garden;