Flowering bulbs for borders, pots and containers
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Please use the links below to find flowering bulbs in alphabetical order. |
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Where and how to plant your flowering bulbs
When you have purchased your bulbs there are a few rules you must try and follow:
ナAlways plant flowering bulbs in good soil that is well-drained but also retains a good deal of moisture.
ナAdd some good organic matter to your soil especially if the soil has clay content in it.
ナBefore planting mix in a good bulb fertiliser to help your flowering bulbs.
ナThe majority of flowering bulbs like to be planted where they will get plenty of sun and daylight, but lilies especially like to have their roots shaded by other plants or mulch.
ナAlways plant your flowering bulbs to the correct depth. I would suggest you plant to three or four times the depth of the bulb size.
ナUse a good trowel or better still a bulb planter made especially for the job.
ナCrocus bulbs and Dwarf narcissi can be planted in lawns to good effect.
Planting your flowering bulbs in pots and containers
What fun it is to plant your newly bought flowering bulbs in pots or containers such as window boxes and troughs, but if you are going to do this then approach your planting in a slightly different way. Make sure you use a good soil-based compost and add and place broken pot pieces or pebbles over the drainage holes in the bottom of the container or pot. Plant your flowering bulbs close together, but not touching each other. There is no need to plant your bulbs deep when using pots or containers and as a rule just below the surface of the compost is deep enough. Next, you should water well and place in a shady area out of direct sunshine. Make sure the compost does not dry out. In a matter of weeks you will be seeing small shoots appear above the surface of the compost. Now is a good time to move into a brighter and sunny area where you flowering bulbs will develop more rapidly and give a dazzling display to your garden. One last thing, consider using SwellGell in your soil-based compost. These water-storing granules produce a saturated gel in water for plants to draw upon as and when required. Prevents hanging baskets and tubs drying out so readily, thus reducing watering frequencies.
Planting times
Spring flowering Bulbs: The time for planting spring flowering bulbs is early autumn and I always find October a good month to do this. Order your spring flowering bulbs early and you will find that your purchases should arrive in September. Do not delay your planting too long to help encourage good displays and reduce the chance of disease. Your spring flowering bulbs should start showing their blooms in February (usually Snowdrops), but they often do show in January. The season will end around June time with Alliums. Typical spring flowering bulbs are Tulips, Crocuses and Daffodils.
Summer flowering Bulbs: The majority of summer flowering bulbs are called tender bulbs and originate from the sub-tropics. The bulbs should not be planted until after the last frost as they are not winter hardy. Expect your summer flowering bulbs to arrive in the spring. Summer flowering bulbs will grow where any other plants grow in your garden but make sure that they also are planted no more than 1 or 2 inches deep. Typical summer flowering bulbs are Begonias, Gladiolus and Lilies.
Autumn flowering Bulbs: Usually planted mid-summer and flower from early September onwards. Plant in borders and well drained soil. A typical autumn flowering bulb is the
Bulbs are a good investment for any garden
When adding flowering bulbs to any landscape or garden it is good to remember that they are a good investment of your money, providing blooms for your garden for a number of years. They will also bring you much pleasure after carefully planting your purchases and then seeing the result of your labors with fantastic blooms full of many vivid colours. Bulbs also create good height and shape to your borders and containers. The most popular time for planting bulbs is in the autumn, when you will plant your hardy spring flowering bulbs.
