If you’re looking to brighten up your garden during the colder months and get gorgeous blooms next summer, it’s never too late to plant new bulbs. Although many plants go dormant in the winter, there are varieties that can be planted now, in November, that will provide spectacular blooms when warm weather arrives.
One of the biggest obstacles gardeners face is how to make plants thrive in shady gardens. Most plants need sunlight to grow properly, but there are solutions to beautify even the darkest corners of the garden. An experienced gardener suggested a plant that adapts perfectly to these conditions: Allium siculum, also known as Honey Lily. This bulb variety, planted now, can transform a shaded border into an explosion of delicate color next summer.
Gardener Lee Bestall, known as ‘the designer of the North’, has shared his advice on how to plant these bulbs for stunning flowers. In his TikTok video, he showed how to plant these bulbs about 10 centimeters deep, spacing them about 15 centimeters apart. He also stressed the importance of checking bulbs before planting them, making sure they are firm and free of mold.
The Honey Lily will not only enrich the garden, but will also help keep squirrels and rabbits away, as its onion scent is not welcome by these little visitors. Lee also suggested secretly planting these bulbs in the gardens of friends and family to give them a pleasant summer surprise.
With a few simple steps, you can plant a corner of beauty that will bloom longer than other plants, even in partial shade. So, don’t wait any longer: grab your planter and start preparing your garden for incredible blooms next summer now!
The Honey Lily: A perfect plant for shade
The Honey lily (Allium siculum) is a plant that stands out for its unique beauty and its adaptability to shady corners of the garden. Belonging to the Liliaceae family, this perennial has bell-shaped flowers that hang delicately from slender stems, creating an elegant, airy effect. Its flowering, which occurs in summer, gives shades of cream, plum and green, creating contrast with the surrounding foliage.
An interesting aspect is that, unlike many other plants, Allium siculum also blooms in partial shade, a rare characteristic for bulbs. It doesn’t require a lot of direct sunlight, making it ideal for shaded borders or gardens that don’t enjoy full sun exposure. Plus, its resistance to pests like squirrels and rabbits is a plus, thanks to its onion scent that keeps them away. If you want a garden that blooms even in the darkest areas, the Honey Lily is undoubtedly a perfect choice.
