The impact of flower bulbs in bloom

Hidden behind ancient trees and hedges just outside of the old city centre of Weinheim is a garden known as the Schau- und Sichtungsgarten Hermannshof. A number of small gateways provide free access to the garden. The Hermannshof covers less than two hectares, but its plantings are absolutely spectacular. Brightly coloured tulips flower here beneath ancient trees and over spacious sunlit spaces. In addition to hundreds of varieties of tulips, you can also feast your eyes on daffodils, irises, chequered fritillaries, Spanish bluebells, camassias and many other kinds of flowering bulbs. The abundance of colour in a garden established so long ago provides inspiration galore.

Inspiring combinations of flower bulbs

The Schau- und Sichtungsgarten Hermannshof has various gardens planted with inspiring combinations of flower bulbs. The effect produced among the flowering bulbs is unique in itself, but placing them in a setting of established trees and other plants creates a spectacular sight. Monochromatic effects using the same colour in various values provide a delightful impression. Perhaps the most obvious example of this is the planting of white daffodils alongside white-flowering trees. If you have a flowering tree in your garden, why not plant daffodils in the same colour to produce a similar effect? Other ideas you could apply at home are a large area planted in tulips of many different colours or a planting of various kinds of flower bulbs in pinks, purples and white.

Just a few or hundreds?

A planting using large numbers of flower bulbs can be breathtaking, but it doesn’t always take hundreds to create a special effect. Just a few impressive flower bulbs such as species tulips, Dog’s-tooth violet (Erythronium), Chequered fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris), camassias (Camassia), daffodils (Narcissus) or unusually coloured tulips will make your garden pretty as a picture. As you will discover, each of these has its unique characteristics that make them the little gems in your garden.