Shipton Bulbs

Alison Foot and John Shipton, 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

 

Cyclamens

All delivered from June to September when dormant Price £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 - 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 December 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 as well as 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                                                                                   

 
ARACAE (in addition to Arum maculatum in Native Bulb section)

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.

                                                                                                                                                             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                        

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


SNAKESHEAD IRIS

Hermodactylus tuberosus     The green and purple flowers of this Iris relative appear in April, the plant growing to about 10”. Also mysteriously called the Widow Iris it is an intriguing feature on a grassy bank or under a shrub. Originally from the Mediterranean it has also been known in gardens here for centuries, and has naturalised in parts of the South West.                                 Price  10 / £3.50  50 / £12.50


ERYTHRONIUM A genus of European and American woodland bulbous perennials known as Dog’s ToothViolets in Europe, and Trout Lilies in America. Care must be taken that the bulbs do not dry out before planting.

Erythronium dens-canis  This is the European woodland species and  the bulbs do look like dogs’ teeth hence the common name.  It has mottled leaves and striking pink flowers in spring liking leafy soil in half shade.

                                                                                              AGM                         Price 5/£4.50   10/£8.50

 

Erthronium dens-canis Purple King  This is a selected form with rich plum purple flowers.  Price  5 / £9.50

 

Erythronium  x tuolumnense Pagoda This is a hybrid of American species. It is very vigorous and ideal for planting in woodland here, where it establishes itself easily. It is eye catching, with its pendant, pale yellow flowers in March-April and lush foliage.                                                       AGM       Price   5 / £4     10 / £7.50

 

Erythronium x tuolumense Kondo  This is another strong growing American cultivar, this time with scented green- tinted paler yellow flowers and mottled leaves.                             Price     5 / £4.50        10 / £8.50              Erythronium californicum White Beauty   A very strong growing American hybrid, and actually a parent of

 E. Pagoda. It is smaller than the two above though, and has gorgeous cream flowers in April over beautifully mottled foliage. It grows well in our climate in leafy soil in part shade.       AGM      Price   £2 each   5/£9.50            

 

Erythronium revolutum Knightshayes Pink  This hybrid was developed at the famous National Trust garden. It has large pink flowers but is much more vigorous than the species, forming a carpet of colour in glades at Knightshayes in April.                                                               Limited stocks available.               Price              £4  each         

ALLIUM

Apart from the culinary aspects of this useful genus. Alliums extend the bulb season into summer, often flowering into July. The native leeks and garlics are included in the Native Bulb section.

Allium moly Jennine 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.    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 £3  /10    £9.50 /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”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 in June.                                                                    Price      5/£8.50               

 

GLADIOLUS

Gladiolus communis ssp byzantinus  This European species with 18” spikes of magenta flowers in June is very different from the South African cultivars.  Grown in gardens here for centuries, 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/£4.50  50/£18.50