Summer flowering bulbs - so much colour to look forward to!

The summer flowering bulbs have arrived in store now with an array of begonias, lilies and gladioli. But one of our old time favourites is Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis). It has a beautiful sweet perfume with dainty bell blossoms and lucious green foliage. It's time now to get it started on your summer garden. Photo Credit Find a location in the garden which has moisture and shade. The ideal is soil which is moist but also drains soil well as they loathe an overly wet soil, and an aspect which will get light but not direct sunlight. Photo Credit Before planting soak the root in luke, warm water for a couple of hours, snip off the last inch of roots before planting. This gives them a jump start and really wakes them up. When planting ensure that the tops just barely peek out of the soil, then water well. Growth will begin very soon. Photo Credit They will be in flower by Mid-May and the scent will be glorious. Pick the flowers and bring them indoors to share the scent with everyone. When blooming is finished, don't be tempted to cut the foliage, the plant needs to create energy for next year's flowers.   Photo Credit Until next time! Marianne Caplice, Horticulturalist & Manager at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion Powerscourt Garden Pavilion, Enniskerry, Co.Wicklow, Ireland. Ph + 353 1 204 6014