Dog Tooth Days

Late Summer 2009

Spring flowering bulbs should be planted promptly along with many others that may deteriorate if left unplanted for too long.

Obvious favourites are narcisii, snowdrops, bluebells, erythroniums, crocuses and winter aconites. Many prefer or tolerate semi-shade and provide welcome early colour underneath deciduous trees.



Erythronium dens-canis (Dog’s Tooth Violets) produce incredibly delicate flowers that deserve a close inspection. Nodding heads usually in shades of lilac can be breathtaking when little else iis flowering.

Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite) is an early flowering very low grower with masses of vivid yellow flowers and fresh green bracts. It is best to soak aconite tubers overnight before planting.

Combining aconites with fritillaries is one of my favourite combinations. The

fritillary hovers above the aconite with much more delicate looking flowers and narrow unobtrusive leaves. Planting the bulbs close together but not touching creates an eye-catching display. Their common name of snake’s head fritillaries is entirely appropriate, the patterns on the dainty flowers is extremely unusual. If left undisturbed they will multiply and spread. I have often seen fritillaries appear in borders happily after first planting then fail to develop in future years, probably because they are disturbed too much with the more robust perennials that need greater attention throughout the season.

I like to see crocuses planted in short lawns, there is a particularly attractive clutch in the centre of Grasmere on the small public park. They are such a treat and it amazes me that they don’t get squashed to bits from the volumes of visitors. Crocuses seldom prevent grasscutting in the way that daffodils do.

Don’t get me wrong, I love daffodils, but they drag on for such a long time looking scruffy and derilict as the foliage fades away. A great part of our business involves keeping lawns in good condition and the daffodils create huge swathes of yellow/white lawns until it recovers. The jury is out on lawn planting for daffs.

Another tremendous favourite is anemone blanda, it will cover the ground between and among shrubs with a carpet of blue (my favourite), white or pink, and requires little or no attention. Surging up unexpectedly each year.

Winter aconites Eranthis hyemalis near Martindale.