Ecobulbs

I'm a member of Garden Organic, the UK charity for organic growing, and I order lots of their garden products online. The Ecobulb selection of spring bulbs has become a firm favourite as the results are so consistently gorgeous. I think you'll agree that these tricoloured daffodils bear testament to the wonderful quality of the blooms, and this year the bulbs have come through a long cold winter and spring.

I like to think that this beauty can be achieved without intensive applications of chemical fertilisers, artificial pest controls and fungicides, which is normal in the production of 'conventional' bulbs. Ecobulbs are not forced, but given time to grow in natural conditions and, if stored correctly, they stay in good condition to bloom for several years. So cost-wise it works out no more expensive.

The farm in Holland where they are grown is reclaimed from the sea and the flower bulbs have a seven year rotation with wheat, potatoes, vegetables and fodder crops helping to prevent disease. When I look at these in their full glory in the tubs on my patio, it adds to my pleasure to know that I'm helping to support these environmentally sound cultivation methods.

To take the shot I lay on my back on the patio and got a worm's eye view of the two blooms. So the light was transmitted from above producing a diaphanous effect. No fancy filter this time!