Bulbs We’re On the Scent Of

Over the years, knowledgeable gardeners seeking for the scent of spring have relied on fragrant Narcissus varieties such as ‘Cheerfulness’ and her cousin ‘Yellow Cheerfulness,’ the confusingly but deliciously scented ‘Geranium’ and other old favourites. ‘Golden Echo,’ another fragrant Jonquilla type, joins them this season.

These are mid-season, or late April into May blooming, as are the various forms of Muscari, known to some as the “grape hyacinth.” Shorter than Narcissus, but as reliable in repeating their performance year after year, they make an idea edging plant as well as an attractive cut flower. Muscari armeniacum, slightly fragrant, is an heirloom variety in cultivation since 1877 and the commonest form offered today. M. azureum is sky blue with M. ‘Blue Spike’ a double bright blue bloom while M. ‘Dark Eyes’ flowers are blue, edged white. Worth searching for is the unique yellow M. ‘Golden Fragrance’ which lives up to its name. Don’t fall into the trap of planting any fragrant bulbs at the back of the garden. The place for them is close to a frequently used door or walkway. There they can be enjoyed several times every day, rain or shine. Having to wade across wet grass distracts from such pleasurable occasions.

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A few tulips varieties are also noted for their fragrance. For some reason most seem more amenable to reblooming for several seasons, unlike many non-scented Tulipa offerings. Some notable ones are:

• Christmas Marvel
• cherry pink
• Single Early
• Monte Carlo
• sulphur yellow
• Double Early
• Peach Melba
• yellow, rose edge
• Double Early
• Exotic Emperor
• white, striped green
• Fosteriana
• Brown Sugar
• carmine rose, apricot edge Triumph
• Princess Irene
• orange, purple flame
• Triumph
• Daydream
• yellow, turning orange Darwin Hybrid
• Apricot Parrot
• apricot-rose, green streak
• Parrot
• Rococo
• fire red, green markings
• Parrot
• Ballerina
• orange
• Lily Flowering

Plant the bulbs as early as possible, especially Narcissus, which require plenty of time to form roots prior to the soil freezing. They, and particularly Muscari, have the disturbing habit of pushing foliage through the ground after planting in fall, prompting frantic calls to garden centres. Do nothing – Mother Nature takes care of her own.