Spring blooms: fast to flower

Spring is the time that plants are in bloom that are rushing to produce leaves, flowers and seeds before summer is in full swing. Many blooms this time of year are yellow, blue or  violet, but some are white or soft red (pink). Many of these plant vanish completely after June and retreat into bulbs, corms or tubers.

The Hyacinth (left) originated in Persia and came to the Netherlands via Turkey. The heavily scented blooms quickly became a favourite. Most were grown in special pots and placed around the garden when in bloom. Chionodoxa, a small bulb from Crete, Cyprus and Turkey, normally has blue flowers, but forms in white and pink can be found in the wild. These were selected for ornamental use (middle). This Glory-of-the-Snow is often used in bulb planting schemes as a second layer planted under earlier bulb (the spent flowers of purple Crocuses can be seen in between). Another plant that retreats underground is the Wood Anemone. Here the reputedly blue selection "Robinsoniana'. At midday the blooms look an almost white icy blue, but later in the evening the flowers seem to change colour and look really rather blue indeed.

The balm-leaved Deadnettle (left) originates from Austria, Croatia and Northern Italy. These plants grow well in shaded spots and, as they grow naturally in woodland. The flowers are produced in early spring. Purple Toothwort (Lathraea clandestina) is native to Continental Europe and flowers early in spring with these flowers bursting directly from the soil. This plant is a parasite and has no chlorophyll It normally grows directly on the roots of Poplar and Willow, but will manage with most garden shrubs. This is the dark form (middle) found in France and the Low Countries. Fumewort (Corydalis solida) is an indigenous plant in most of Europe. In the Netherlands they thrive mainly on country estates. These plants with small tubers also grow naturally in moist woodland and can also be found in parks.