We want you to enjoy the very best displays from your spring-flowering bulbs, so we’ve pulled together a collection of outstanding performers that hold an Award of Garden Merit from the RHS. Hard won accolades, they’re only given to very special plants. If you’re looking for reliable spring bulbs to plant this autumn, here are some real gems to try.
Ready to start planting? Browse our full range of high quality spring bulbs to place an online order.
What is the RHS Award of Garden Merit?
The RHS trials a wide range of plants and bulbs each year, checking for health, performance, and suitability for the UK climate. Once completed, each trial is assessed by a forum of RHS experts. These experts decide whether an award is merited and their judgement is then ratified by the Plant Council. Bulbs passing the test are given the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). While at any one time, there are around 7,500 plants and bulbs that hold the award, regular reassessment ensures a steady flow of new additions as plants which no longer meet the strict criteria are dropped from the list. Here’s our shortlist of spring bulbs that you might like to try:
Award-winning daffodil bulbs
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Immensely versatile, daffodils are both lovely traditional spring blooms and, with a little help from our plant breeders, some of the jazziest of spring flowers too:
- Miniature daffodils – ‘Jetfire’ and ‘Minnow’
- Double flower daffodil – ‘White Lion’
- Scented daffodils – ‘Cheerfulness’ and ‘Yellow Cheerfulness’
- Unusual daffodil – ‘Jonquilla Sundisc’
- British grown daffodils – ‘Cornish Chuckles’
Award-winning tulip bulbs
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When so-called ‘tulip mania’ gripped Holland during the 17th century, investors won and lost fortunes buying and selling tulip bulbs. Fast forward to today and, while we wouldn’t want our customers to lose their heads over our tulips, we think you’ll agree, these award-winning bulbs are certainly head-turners:
- Tulip ‘Red Riding Hood’
- Tulip ‘Carnival de Nice’
- Tulip ‘Apricot Beauty’
- Tulip ‘Paul Scherer’
Award-winning woodland bulbs for spring
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If you’re looking for bulbs which naturalise to create an authentic woodland display, these are the spring blooms to plant on steep banks and beneath deciduous trees and shrubs:
- Snowdrops – ’Giant Galanthus Elwesii’
- Crocus – ‘Cream Beauty’
- Cyclamen – ‘Alba’
- Anemone – ‘Nemorosa’
- Muscari bulbs – ‘Armeniacum’
Award-winning tall flowering spring bulbs
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In search of some taller flowering bulbs to give your planting scheme structure and presence? These RHS Award winners will give your beds and borders height, colour, and spectacle:
- Camassia bulbs – ‘Leichtlinii’
- Daffodil ‘Rosemoor Gold’
- Allium ‘Blue Drumstick’ and ‘Purple Sensation’
Show-stopping spring bulbs
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Whether you’re looking for spring bulbs for your beds and borders, or want something special for your pots and containers, here are a few show-stopping varieties. Including flowers of all different shapes and sizes – what they all have in common is their stunning appearance:
- Peony ‘Duchesse De Nemours’ and ‘Sarah Bernhardt’
- Hyacinth ‘Gypsy Queen’ and ‘Delft Blue’
- Crocus ‘Vanguard’
- Trillium ‘Erectum’
- Fritillaria Imperialis bulb – ‘Maxima Lutea’
Choosing spring-flowering bulbs from the range here at Suttons gives you access to a tremendous catalogue of high quality products. Read our article on how to plant spring-flowering bulbs to get the most from your blooms. Share your images with us using #mysuttonsjourney.
Lead image: Spring Companions Bulb Collection Bulbs from Suttons
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