Garden

Perennial Bulbs

In Europe, an annual Bulb of the Year election takes place in various countries. In North America, the comparable award is the Best of the Best, a collection of 10 bulbs within a specific category, voted on by a group of Dutch and North American bulb growers, horticulturists and exporters.

By Davinia Yip /

The 2002 category is perennial bulbs and the top 10 are:

  • Narcissus ‘Salome’ – creamy-white petals contrast against the almost apricot cup;
  • Narcissus ‘Ice Follies’ – white petals with a yellow cup;
  • Tulipa ‘Orange Emperor’ – outside petals of carrot-orange are flushed with chartreuse; inside petals in orange, bleaching slightly to buttercup-yellow at their base;
  • Tulipa tarda – star-shaped yellow flowers with white tips;
  • Crocus vernus ‘Jeanne D’Arc’ – pure white flowers;
  • Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’ – lilac-purple flowers;
  • Camassia cusickii – grey-blue flowers and decorative leaves;
  • Leucojum aestivum (Meadow Snowflake and Summer Snowflake) – white bells with petal tips spotted bright green;
  • Anemone blanda ‘Blue Shades’ (Windflower) – purple to lilac flowers;
  • Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill) – deep violet-blue star- to bell-shaped flowers.