Grow Your Own Magazine

marialittlebzz · #1 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 02:38 PM

I just realized that most of the flowers I will start from seeds are actually flowering in summer, any idea for lovely spring flowers that likes a bit of shade?
which ones do you like best?

smallblueplanet · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 03:26 PM

Not really just a flower but what about lungwort?

Quote:

Lungwort - Pulmonaria officinalis

Lungwort gives early and attractive spring flowers that open pink but soon change to intense blue as they mature, providing pollen for early bumblebees. The small trumpet-shaped flowers are arranged in loose terminal clusters.

The English name is derived from the white spots on the long blue-green leaves. These were thought to resemble the alveolar cavities of our lungs and so the plant was thought to be good for curing respiratory troubles. Lungwort is a hardy perennial that grows best in rich moist soil. It is naturalised in the wild on hedgebanks and waste ground near houses. It is an ideal groundcover plant in a shady garden.

Many attractive garden varieties are available, with flowers ranging from white to pink and blue. They can be a good foil for taller spring bulbs. The flowers survive well once cut. Most garden varieties seem to be attractive to bees but it is likely that this species is the most prolific producer of pollen. It is not native but has naturalised widely.

Flummery · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 04:59 PM

Lungwort is brilliant - I know it as soldiers and Sailors. I also grow Lenten Hellebores which are gorgeous shades from purple to white (including pinks and spotteds in between) Spring bulbs of course, but they need planting in autumn.

jeannine · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 05:24 PM

If you still want to enjoy a few narcissi, grape hyacinths or crocuses, you can buy them now in trays from places like B&Q quite cheaply - (around £2 a tray). They will really cheer the garden up and (though they cost more than getting the bulbs in autumn) they wont break the bank but they will come back every year!

marialittlebzz · #5 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 07:19 PM

I love the lungwort, thanks for this idea, I hope i will find some in my garden center!

nick the grief · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 11:46 PM

How about Primroses or Primula's, they are always bright and cheery and the good old faithfull Pansies.

I've got a shady border that I'm about to re-do and managed to pick up a pack of hellebore seedlings for a couple of quid from the local garden centre so these will go in as soon as I can.

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