All about a Spring show

PLANNING

It’s good to have a plan about how you want to display bulbs throughout your garden. Either a natural look, wow factor or just complement what plants you already have. To achieve a natural look, take your bulbs and scatter them across the garden bed, planting them exactly where they land, intermittently spaced. A wow factor can be achieved with the brightest of colours in mass plantings, so bright they cannot be ignored, in lines, size gradients and rivers of colour snaking through your garden beds. Perhaps use bulbs to highlight the plants you already have with splashes of colour or use them to just mark the start of spring.

PLANTING

Select bulbs that are plump and firm, the bigger they are the more they bloom compared to smaller bulbs of the same variety. Well-drained soil in full sun is the best position, exactly when to plant depends on when they bloom.

Late bloomers such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are cold lovers and can be tricked by placing them in the crisper of the refrigerator to break their dormant cycle and start them growing. Slightly warmer winters yield stunning displays of freesia, Sparaxis, babiana and snow drops.

Bulbs are not too fussy about soil type or condition although a small amount of fertiliser is beneficial when planting. The pointy end goes upwards except for corms (ranunculus and anemones) the pointy end goes downwards. The hole should be approximately three times deeper than the width of the bulb, with soft soil at bottom of the hole so the fine roots take hold quickly.

FERTILISATION

Bulbs don’t need a lot of care when first planting but a slow-release bulb fertiliser when the first leaves appear will feed them gradually as they grow all season. A fortnightly application of liquid fertiliser for flowering plants when the flower buds appear will promote brilliant blooming. Then as they finish flowering and the leaves start to turn yellow give them another fertilise to make sure they soak up the goodness before they go dormant. This gives your bulbs a great start for next season by using the goodness they have stored while dormant. There are quite a few fertilisers so ask our friendly garden staff for advice on which fertilisers to use for bulbs.

FEEL LIKE LASAGNE?

Pot growing for bulbs are ideal. For one, you always know where you planted them, and two, they don’t get lost over the years as the garden changes and evolves. To achieve a year-round dazzling display is to plant a bulb lasagne. This is a combination of early flowering, mid-season flowering and late-season flowering bulbs for a stunning succession of spring flowers potted in layers.

Learn more about a Bulb Lasange from Sophie Thomson > BULB LASAGNE

With so many bulbs in one pot use a liquid flowering fertiliser every couple of weeks through the growing season to keep the bulbs in peak condition. The range of flower bulbs is extensive, always check the packaging for the correct flowering period so you can make the right combinations.

TO LIFT OR NOT TO LIFT?

In warm temperate areas where there aren’t such cold winters or frost, bulbs left in the ground can overheat in the heat of summer or rot if the summer is wet and humid. In this instance Tulips, crocus, Hyacinth, some fancy Daffodils and alliums require lifting and storage, somewhere dry, cool and vermin free in boxes, baskets or string bags.

Gladioli, spring stars, snowflakes, freesia, Sparaxis, common daffodils and nerines can be left in the ground year after year. Keep the soil cooler in summer by adding a layer of mulch, spreading annuals or groundcovers for added protection.

IN THE BULB TOOLBOX

Bulb Basket

These baskets are great for growing clumps of bulbs and ideal for all types of bulbs including Daffodils, Tulips, Crocus, Hyacinths, Dutch Iris and any other spring, summer or autumn bulbs that may need to be lifted.

It means the bulbs are easy to find and lift. The baskets are also a great way to store them once the bulbs have finished their flowering cycle. Simply dig down to the basket, lift, shake out the excess soil and store your bulbs in the basket in a cool dry spot.

Bulb Planter

Designed to make bulb planting easy, the transplanter will dig, lift and drop soil in one easy action. It minimises root disturbance of nearby plants, has graduated markings to show depth and has a serrated cutting surface that helps to easily penetrate the soil.

POT DISPLAYS

You can grow any bulbs in containers, even mix different types together to brighten up an otherwise dull spot.

They will need space for healthy root growth so a large pot with a minimum of at least 15 – 20cm in height. Because they grow best in a cool atmosphere avoid using black plastic pots or other heat-absorbing materials as these will overheat the bulbs every time the sun comes out.

Use a good quality premium potting mix that drains well and when shoots start to show fertilise with a bulb fertiliser. Don’t be scared to crowd the pot as they look best planted fairly close together. Remember pots don’t hold moisture like a garden bed so put them in a sunny position and water regularly.