10 unusual bulbs to grow

As well as spring bulbs, choose summer- and autumn-flowering bulbs to increase your season of colour. Unlike herbaceous plants, bulbs are almost guaranteed to flower, so you can count on them to provide colour and interest in a set display.

More on growing bulbs:

• Bulbs for bees
• Five of the best February-flowering bulbs
• What to plant with spring bulbs

Browse our list of 10 unusual bulbs to grow, below.

Snake’s head fritillary, Fritillaria meleagris, has bizarre and unmistakable chequerboard markings on its bell-shaped flowers. Most flowers are purple but some come in white, still with a faint checked pattern all over. Snake's head fritillary is a native British flower and is therefore extremely hardy and easy to grow, and is ideal for growing in a variety of situations including pots, spring borders and in long grass.

Flowers: Mar-Apr
Height x Spread: 30cm x 5cm

Allium ‘Dready’ is so-called because of the masses of dreadlock-like curling tendrils, which grow out from its drumstick-like flower heads. These start off bright green, but over the course of a couple of weeks change to red.

Allium ‘Dready’ works well when planted in drifts with ornamental grasses and other alliums. It makes a wonderful, dramatic cut flower.

F: May-Jul
H x S: 40cm x 10cm

The Siberian squill, Scilla siberica, bears dainty spikes of nodding, bell-shaped, blue flowers in early spring, above slender, strappy leaves. Siberian squills are perfect for naturalising in lawns and areas of semi- shade, particularly beneath deciduous shrubs and trees.

F: Mar-Apr
H x S: 20m x 5cm

Crown imperial, Fritillaria imperialis, is an imposing bulb, flowering in mid- late-spring. It bears pendent, bell-shaped blooms typically 5-8cm long and wide, on stems up to 1.2m tall. Grow in well-drained soil, ideally on a bed of gravel, in full sun.

F: Apr-May
H x S: 1m x 30cm

Persian lily, Fritillaria persica, has elegant, tall stems of beautiful dark purple flowers. It’s unusually tall for a spring-flowering bulb and therefore makes a grand statement among other tall-flowering blooms such as tulips and white narcissi.

F: Apr-May
H x S: 1m x 30cm

Allium ‘Red Mohican’ has unusual, maroon-red drumstick-style flower heads with extra tufts at the top, tipped with tiny white flowers (resembling a mohican). It’s a great choice for growing in a mixed herbaceous border among ornamental grasses. It also works well in pots.

F: May-Jul
H x S: 90cm x 20cm

Sea squill, Urginea maritima, bears enormous spikes of white, star-shaped flowers with a yellow centre. Native to coastal regions of the Mediterranean, it's quite hardy and will flower reliably in southern regions of Britain. Plant bulbs in autumn in well-drained soil with added grit, in full sun.

F: Aug-Oct
H x S: 60cm x 30cm

Portugese squill, Scilla peruviana, is a late-spring-flowering bulbs with lavender-blue flower heads, similar to alliums. Native to the Mediterranean, it's best grown in warmer regions of Britain, in well-drained soil with added grit. It does best in full sun.

F: May-Jun
H x S: 25cm x 25cm

Fritillaria raddeana is a shorter version of the crown imperial, Fritillaria imperialis. It bears green-yellow flowers in April and May. Grow in well-drained soil with extra grit added to the planting hole, in full sun.

F: Apr-May
H x S: 35-40cm

Allium schubertii has spiky flowerheads with stems of different lengths, giving it an unusual look. Individual florets are purple with a green centre. It’s perfect for growing in sunny borders and pots as an unusual centrepiece. It makes a striking cut flower.

F: May-Jun
H x S: 50cm x 25cm