Can I see your rockeries please? :)

There was a great plantsman called A.E. Bowles who grew his world famous collection of rare bulbs (and common ones too!) in and around the base of trees. The tree acts like a pump and removes the water from the surrounding soil. Now most spring bulbs originate in places where there is little summer rain. They are designed to aesitvate (like hibernate, only in summer). Ones which appreciate a little shde are planted on the north side of the tree and those which like baking on the south side. Does that help you at all?
Personally I do not like bulbs in grass, you have to leave the grass rather untidy for far too long after they have flowered for my liking.

 

Hi daisybelle.

I put shrubs and small trees (Tecomaria and Cercis, Callistemon 'Flaming Fire' and a Bougainvillea) at the back of mine and have spreading plants (Lampranthus, Geraniums, Allysum) at the front for year round colour. The middle is for summer bedding as such including Gazania and Evening Primose speciosa (the pink one which is a nightmare seeding itself everywhere). There are also Freesia and Allium bulbs dotted around for Spring. I have then put various things (a Meyer lemon, an Avocado done from a stone, mini roses, Penta) in different shaped pots to the side for interest.

There is a planter in the white wall behind it so I have a trailing Aptenia which has tiny pink daisies coming out of it.

I am fortunate that annuals are perennials here but many of the things I have there survive outside year round there.

 

I could put some bulbs in the rockery, but the things I have (snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells) are ones I associate with woodland and I really want them under the tree.
I'm thinking I could move the tree just to the right of shot, and replant the bulbs in the flat lawn in front of it.
That would leave the corner completely free for a rockery.
If I was to do that, what time of year would be best to move the tree and bulbs?

 

I'd say Autumn, ie, pretty much now.

Perhaps some will disagree with the tree until the Spring ????

 

Hmm, yes, I was thinking now would be good too. The weather's just turned now so that I don't want to be outside though-I may have to summon assistance :D