A colourful show of bulbs beneath many trees welcomes spring with a lively display

In September, the delicate fresh green leaves of the deciduous trees at Y Creigiau start to emerge, and beneath them, clumps of bulbs will begin their colourful spring show.

The name Y Creigiau, meaning ‘the rocky place,’ is Welsh and was inspired by the rocky terrain of the 2.5-acre sloping Eden Valley block. An outcrop of huge boulders and many tons of smaller stones were unearthed in creating the garden; the large outcrop has remained a feature, and the smaller stones have been put to good use as walling and lining paths that lead to the house and wind through to link different areas within the garden.

Many trees are on the property - several big old river red gums tower over smaller eucalypts and numerous exotic trees. The planting is varied, from shrubs and perennials, including many salvias and bulbs, to an area where natives and water-efficient Mediterranean species look at home beneath the indigenous trees.  Grasses and strappy leafed plants like liriope line paths add texture and contrast. Higher up the slope, where the ground is very stony, pigface and succulents are happy in their environment and create a bold display of exciting foliage shapes and colours.

The bulbs scattered throughout the garden create ground-level pops of colour—from diminutive little grape hyacinths to cheerful daffodils, jonquils, ranunculi, tulips, freesias, bluebells, Dutch iris and ixias—more than a dozen different types welcome the arrival of spring with a lively display.

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