From the Cumbernauld News and Kilsyth Chronicle, 25 September 2002.

   THE Scottish Wildlife Trust in partnership with 30 other organisations, is
working to protect and encourage wild life in North Lanarkshire.

   The North Lanarkshire Local Biodiversity Action Partnership (LBAP)
believe that everyone can do his or her bit to help our wildlife.

   LBAP are hoping to encourage the residents of North Lanarkshire to help
our wildlife by planting wildflower bulbs.

   "The list of native wildflowers, which grow from bulbs is not large" says
Drew Jones from the Jupiter Wildflower Centre, Grangemouth.

   "However, those that there are can be used in exactly the same way as
garden centre bulbs, with the advantage that they are all hardy in our climate
and most will reproduce and spread if sited well in our gardens."

   Many of the Scottish wildflower bulbs native to this country are woodland
species. As such they usually prefer a bit of shade late in the season, growing
and flowering early in the year.

   Plants such as wood hyacinth (bluebell), snowdrop and wild garlic
(or ransoms) are probably our most widespread and numerous native bulbs.

   All are woodland species, but require slightly different conditions. The wild
hyacinth and snowdrop like it drier, while the ransoms prefers it a bit wetter. If
the conditions in your garden suit them then all three will readily naturalise and
spread. Wild hyacinths and snowdrops will tolerate more open conditions, but
here you must keep them free of competing plants. This would occur naturally
in their woodland homes by the shading, reducing the growth of later growing
competing plants.

   All three can be introduced as bulbs though in the case of snowdrop this is
usually best done when plants are "in the green", i.e. they are actually growing.
Planting dry bulbs of snowdrop often meets with a lack of success. Sowing
seeds of wild hyacinth and ransoms can also be attempted though you will have
to have some patience here as both species can take several years to reach the
flowering stage.

   When seeking out wild hyacinths be careful not to buy the usually more
readily available Spanish bluebell - a non-native and larger more robust plant,
which is threatening to wipe out our scented bluebell, through crossbreeding.

   Another species is the wild daffodil. These can be planted in more open
conditions. They are smaller versions of the commonly planted daffodils
and can be planted straight into your lawn or mini meadow. They will come up
year after year forming larger and larger clumps.

   Another wild bulb found in Scotland is the spring squill. This short blue
flowered plant, with six petalled flowers in clusters of six or more, is a
coastal plant. As its name implies it also flowers in spring and may succeed
in a rockery.

   So have a go at some of our native bulbs. Remember to obtain properly grown
plants or bulbs from a reputable source. On no account should you dig them up
from the wild - it's illegal!

   If you would like more information about wildflower planting please contact
Drew at the address below.

   Every month, LBAP have been providing some super prizes in their monthly
competitions. This month you can win your own collection of wildflower bulbs.
To enter, please send your answer to the following question on a postcard
(remember to include your name and contact details) to Drew Jones, SWT,
Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre, Wood Street, Grangemouth FK3 8HL. The
first correct entry drawn from the bag by Monday October 14th, 2002, will win.

Question:

Name two of our Scottish woodland wildflowers that grow from a bulb?