7 spectacular spring bulbs that will transform your garden

‘African Queen’ is characterised by a narrow, vertical clump habit from spring. In full bloom, the plant can reach a height of 1.2 m, and its tuft broadens gradually thanks to the vegetative propagation of the bulbs. Its stems, of remarkable sturdiness, support lanceolate, dark-green and glossy leaves.

Preferring humus-rich, non-calcareous soils, the ‘African Queen’ lily thrives in well-drained soils. It can be paired with perennial plants that provide shade at its base, helping to stabilise the stems against the effects of wind, for example Coreopsis, the Gladioli, the Daylilies or the bee balm.

Originating in Central Asia, this desert lily is one of the smallest Eremurus species, reaching about 1.30 m in height. Its bulb is actually a tuberous crown surrounded by roots. This crown produces lanceolate leaves 15 to 30 cm long, which wither as the first flowers appear. Fairly hardy, it tolerates temperatures down to -12°C.

Outdoors, Eremurus ‘Cleopatra’ can be planted in groups, and looks stunning in a vase to decorate interiors. It is suitable for borders, rock gardens, beds and containers in small gardens. It requires ample space to avoid crowding. Plant it with ornamental alliums and agapanthus, slender plants with rounded heads, with eryngiums and Nepetas in a more compact form.

The large bulb of Allium ‘Globemaster’ produces a rosette of long, fleshy, strap-like leaves, green-grey-blue in colour, reaching up to 50 cm in height. This decorative foliage dries off gradually as the flowers emerge. The flowering stems, straight and sturdy, standing about 80 cm tall, appear in late May or early June. They bear at their summit a magnificent spherical inflorescence of 18 to 22 cm in diameter, composed of numerous small star-shaped flowers with six petals. These flower heads, unscented, remain decorative for a long time in borders. Its flowers are perfectly suited to cut flower arrangements, whether dried or fresh.

This plant loves sun and light, with very well-drained soils, with a preference for calcareous soils. Allium ‘Globemaster’ integrates perfectly in a contemporary setting with Stipa tenuissima and lavenders or a romantic mixed-border, surrounded by Stachys byzantina, herbaceous peonies and roses. Pair it with low-growing, bushy plants to hide its base once the foliage has dried.

Although this hybrid may take time to establish, it becomes vigorous and hardy with time, especially if the soil is very well-drained and rather dry in winter. The flowers, measuring 15 to 30 cm in diameter, give off a pleasant fragrance in the evening. They consist of six long pale-yellow petals, recurved and undulated at the edges, with cream tips and margins. The throat of the flower is a bright lemon-yellow, without markings, but with papillae. The green stamens with brown-red pollen and the purple stigmas add to its charm.

The Lilium ‘Honeymoon’ pairs harmoniously with white, orange lilies, ornamental grasses and perennials, which provide shade at its feet and stabilise the stems against wind and rain.

At maturity, Camassia typically reaches 80-90 cm in height, but can attain up to 1.3 m. Its linear leaves, in bright green, measure 20 to 60 cm long and form a tuft from which the flowering stems emerge. Originating from Oregon in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, this plant is hardy and adapts to a range of environments, whether in borders, rock gardens, or rockeries.

Pair Camassia leichtlinii ‘Semiplena’ with late-flowering perennials that will hide its dried leaves in summer, such as Japanese peonies. Its bulbs are not particularly liked by rodents, which makes Camassia one of the hardiest bulbous plants.

The plant is naked-flowered, meaning the flowers appear before the foliage. The bulb of the Urginea maritima is substantial, measuring up to 20 cm in diameter and weighing up to 2 kg. The leaves, narrow and thick, are bright green and measure from 30 cm to 1 m in length. They are erect and slightly undulated. The central flowering stem can reach up to 1.20 m in height.

Native to the Mediterranean region, Urginea maritima is a moderately hardy species, tolerating temperatures down to around -12°C. It is protected in France, notably in the Alpes-Maritimes. Because of its toxicity, wear gloves when handling it and do not ingest. This plant tolerates drought and sea spray, and grows well in very well-drained soil. It prefers slightly calcareous and cool soils. It can be grown in isolation in a pot, particularly in colder or wetter regions, as its bulb does not need to be buried deeply.