December was grey and as I write the rain is beating against the window on another grey day in January. Easy to feel gloomy when Spring seems way off, but the strong green shoots growing in my pots of bulbs definitely give a hopeful message.

The earliest bulbs to flower are the delicate looking, but tough weather resistant, iris reticulata. These are miniature beauties which can withstand snow, frost and the extremes of Winter weather. I grow them mostly in small terracotta pots near the front doorstep and sometimes bring them into the house to enjoy their flowers close up. These are planted in the garden after flowering and come back year after year. This year, the following varieties are available to buy in either terracotta or small plastic pots to plant on in your own containers. These and the narcissus below are available to buy now.

Orders of £10.00 and above are delivered free within 6 miles of Oxford. Please send queries or orders to me by email at: thedevelopingplot@gmail.com

Iris Reticulata Varieties Available:

The bulbs are currently shooting strongly, but are not yet flowering so will provide interest for a good long time.

Prices:

Three bulbs in a vintage terracotta pot: £4.00

Three bulbs in a 9cm plastic pot: £2.00

Four bulbs in a plastic pot: £2.50

Four bulbs in a terracotta pot: £4.50

Miniature Narcissus:

The potted narcissus are not far behind the iris and are beginning to produce their shoots too. These varieties are also available in terracotta and plastic pots of different sizes:

Narcissus Prices:

Four bulbs in terracotta pot: £5.00

Four bulbs in a plastic pot: £2.75

Iris reticulata and narcissus are also available in different size pots.

Crocus, scillas, chionodoxa, muscari and alliums are all starting to appear and will be ready in a few weeks.

There will be a Homesown stall this Sunday (9th January) at Wolvercote Community Market in the White Hart in Wolvercote. Please contact me by email if you would like to preorder any bulbs.

If you would like to be kept up to date with what’s available in the coming weeks, please fill your contact details below: