Plants growing from bulbs, corms and tubers are often lumped together for convenience. Some of our most spectacular and popular garden plants come under this heading - think of cyclamen, daffodils, Hippeastrum and snowdrops. The RHS regularly advises on cultivation, as well as pest and disease problems affecting these plants. Tips for bulb growing are available in the Advice section.
Recommended control measures of scarlet lily beetle
RHS National Plant Collections
In all, the RHS gardens at Wisley, Rosemoor, Hyde Hall and
Harlow Carr hold 12 National Collections, under the auspices
of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and
Gardens (NCCPG). Two of these are of bulbous plants.
Crocus
Galanthus
RHS National Plant Collections
Cyclamen at Wisley
Another major collection at Wisley is of Cyclamen
species, plants from which are frequently on display in the
smaller alpine house.
Cyclamen
RHS trials
The daffodil trial at Wisley is one of the long-term or 'permanent' ones, lighting up the Trials Field each year in the early spring. The most outstanding cultivars are recommended for the Award of Garden Merit.
Current research at Wisley
The Science Department at Wisley has a long history of valuable
work in relation to bulbous plants. This ranges from pioneering
work on the development of hot-water treatment for Narcissus
bulb fly, to continuing studies of scarlet lily beetle. Wisley
holds a fine collection of bulbs and bulb-like plants, providing
valuable material for taxonomic work.
Scarlet
lily beetle
Possible
use of genetic markers in assessing trade in Cyclamen
Conservation
Highly vulnerable to over-collecting for the horticultural
trade, wild populations of bulbs are now receiving a degree
of protection, notably from the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Horticultural
link: conservation of garden plants
Scientific
link: conservation
Further reading
This is just one topic covered by the Society's monthly journal for members,The Garden, and a recent article of interest is listed below.
Byfield, A. (1996, November). Reaping the rewards. The Garden (RHS) 121(11): 686-687. Bulb cultivation and conservation project in Turkey.
Leslie, A.C. 1992. Hyacinthoides non-scripta. The Garden (RHS) 117(6): 262-264
Leslie, A.C. 1992. Scilla peruviana. The Garden (RHS) 117(9): 440-442