Shipton Bulbs

John Shipton & Daughters, Y Felin, Henllan Amgoed, Whitland, Carmarthenshire , SA34 0SL
Tel: 01994 240125, Fax: 01994 241180, E mail bluebell@zoo.co.uk * Terms and conditions/Privacy Policy/©Alison Foot 2003  

 

CYCLAMEN All delivered from June to September when dormant.         Price for all cyclamen            £2.50 each

Cyclamen coum         This is the winter flowering hardy cyclamen, the species being native to the temperate forests around the Black Sea. The nodding pink flowers have darker mouths and a long flowering season from Dec. to March. It has rounded deep green leaves some with silvery patterning.        AGM

Cyclamen coum album          The pure white flowered form of Cyclamen coum and again flowering Dec. to March.

Cyclamen hederifolium          The best autumn flowering species for naturalising under trees.  Known in Britain for centuries and occasionally naturalised in hedgerows. It was known as ‘Sowbread’ and was supposedly a violent aphrodisiac.  It is free flowering, with pink-purple flowers from October with mottled ivy shaped leaves lasting to spring.             AGM

Cyclamen hederifolium album.         This is a white flowering form and equally tough and free flowering.

Cyclamen cilicium      Another autumn flowering Cyclamen from the ancient Cilician area of Turkey. This also grows well here in dry shaded ground, with round leaves, which are purple underneath.    AGM

   

FUMITORY

Corydalis solida          'Spring Fumitory' is a common European tuberous plant and has been grown in Britain for centuries, naturalised under trees and shrubs.  It produces mounds of low growing, attractively divided foliage and long spurred, pink-purple flowers in early spring, dying back in summer.                 Price    10/£3.50          50/£14.50

Corydalis George Baker This is the well known beautiful rich red form of the species.      AGM   Price    5/£7.50

Corydalis solida ssp incisa This is a hybrid of unknown origin.  It is even more vigorous and its reddish purple flowers carry on for weeks.    AGM                                                                                                   Price    10/£4.50

Corydalis cava.           One common name Hollowroot refers to the curiously hollow tuber of this old introduction from Europe.  It has long been naturalized in woods and hedges where it forms clumps of tubular pink flowers in March with attractive divided foliage.  One or two tubers planted in shade provide lots of interest. Price 5/£9.50

 

ERANTHIS Eranthis cilicica           Another form of Winter Aconite (see p 5). Although now considered a subspecies of E.hyemalis, this native of the mountains of Cilicia in Anatolia has striking differences. Its larger golden flowers appear later over a thinner leafed ruff. It naturalises well under trees and shrubs. As with E.hyemalis,  tubers are freshly lifted on demand August to October or  can also be sent in the green in March.

(if wanted ‘in the green’ please add £1.50 for extra carriage)                                    Price    10/£4.00          50/£14.50

 

GLADIOLUS  Gladiolus communis ssp byzantinus           This European species with 3’ branched stems of magenta flowers in June has been grown in gardens here for centuries, and as a relic of cultivation is found on roadsides and field margins here.  Although taller it is similar to our Wild Gladiolus (see page 4).  This not the weaker plant that has gone under the same name, and thought now to be G.italicus. Best in drier sunny places.            AGM   Price    10/£8.50

ALLIUM       Apart from the culinary aspects of this useful genus, Alliums extend the bulb season into summer, often flowering into July.  The native Allium species are included in the Native Bulb section (p.4)

Allium moly Jeannine            A fine form of 'Golden Garlic', this is a cheerful sight in June, making clumps of star shaped golden flowers.  Homer said Odysseus used this to avoid being turned into a pig by Circe, which is useful to remember if in the company of a sorceress. Easy to establish in grass or under shrubs.        AGM

Price    20/£2.50          100/£7.50

Allium caeruleum      Found right across Eastern Europe and into Central Asia the bright blue drum head flowers throughout the summer make this chive like little Allium useful in the border as well as attractive a meadow.            AGM

Price    10/£3.00          50/£9.50

Allium roseum or Rosy Garlic adds a touch of class to a corner in a meadow, with its umbel of pink flowers showing through tall grass in June. Coming from tiny bulbs it is vigorous like other Alliums and perhaps should be placed with caution as it can romp through your favourite border.                                        Price    20/£2.50          100/ £7.50

Allium Purple Sensation       A selected form of its parent A.hollandicum, with densely packed deep purple heads.  Rich and impressive.   AGM                                                                                       Price    5/£5.50            10/£9.50

Allium cristophii         We have grown this for many years on a sunny bank where it has seeded itself.  The medium sized flower heads are fascinating with star like shiny pink-purple flowers, which die back to leave a delicate and decorative interlocking globe. Height 18”, flowering in June.           AGM               Price    5/£5.50            10/£9.50

Allium Mt Everest     We couldn’t resist including this one especially as John’s father discovered the successful route to the top.  That said, this is a wonderful strong growing Allium with big white pompom heads. 3-4ft height, flowering in June.                                                                                                                               Price    5/£8.50

AUTUMN SNOWFLAKE Acis autumnalis           This used to be under the name Leucojum autumnale, and has the white bell shaped flowers of the other Snowflakes (see p4).  The flowers appear 4”-6” high with slender grass like foliage in late summer early autumn.  Also originally a Mediterranean plant, it is easy to grow here in any well drained open or semi shaded spot, in grass or border.            Price    5/£5.50            10/£9.50

 

MONKS HOOD        As well as our native Monkshood (see Native Bulbs section page 5) there are a range of Aconitums that naturalise well here.  All these are delivered in late autumn.

Aconitum napellus subsp vulgare Albidum             The ice white flowers of this form of Monks Hood are slightly less sinister than the blue kind and are particularly useful for brightening a shady corner.  The same height and flowering time, in June, as the blue Monks Hood it enjoys the same moist soil and partial shade.   Price    5/£8.50

Aconitum carmichaelii Arendsii        A strong growing form of the species from remote Kamchatka, this extends the flowering season well into autumn, and is still flowering in October with its tall (3’) spikes of rich blue flowers.  It prefers better drained conditions in the open.                        AGM                                                               Price            5/£8.50

Aconitum henryi Sparks Variety      This form of the species from W China has a more branching habit with intense indigo blue flowers in late summer and establishes best in the open.                                     Price    5/£8.50

Aconitum x cammarum Bicolor       This may be the original hybrid between A. variegatum and A.napellus.  This handsome plant has wide branching stems in July with blue and white “hoods”.     AGM               Price    5/£8.50

 

PARIS Paris polyphylla         Closely related to our fascinating native Paris (see p 6), this species is a real aristocrat.  I remember coming upon it in a clearing above a Tibetan village in Yunnan and being spellbound by its charm.  Above its ruff of bright green leaves the fine yellow stamens make a conspicuous tuft followed by scarlet seed in the autumn.  It loves rich moist soil in part shade, where it slowly builds into clumps.   Rhizomes        Price    £4.50 each

ARUM Arum italicum  marmoratum (formerly A.i.pictum) Arrow shaped leaves, strikingly marbled with white veins appear in the autumn and are retained throughout the winter, providing valuable winter interest in a woodland area. Its flowers in spring a little later than our Lords and Ladies (see p 6) with a creamy hood, followed by bright red berries.  Forms of A.italicum, a European species have been grown here for centuries.  AGM   Price    5/£8.50

Arum italicum spp      a form with shiny green leaves without marbling but otherwise the same as the above.