Spring flowering bulbs can offer a brilliant display of colour, as long as they’re grown in the right area and in well prepared soil. The simple trick of the trade when it comes to growing large and healthy bulbs is providing them with rich and well drained soil, which will promote growth and an abundance of flowers.
Organic matter is a preference many bulbs share, so before you plant your spring flowering bulbs, make sure to dig in some compost. To ensure your bulbs grow to become healthy plants, good drainage is essential.
Tip: Digging in organic compost is essential if you have clay-like soil.
Make sure you choose a site with good drainage or add sand or grit to the soil. The majority of hardy bulbs originate from warmer climates and so thrive in sunny positions with freely draining soil.
Tip: When buying your spring flowering bulbs choose them according to location and soil type that best matches your garden.
For early spring plants like snowdrops, daffodils and crocus, you ideally need to have them planted by the end of September. Later-flowering bulbs such as tulips could be planted as late as November.
Tip: If you miss your planting deadline, it is still worth popping them in the ground, but the results may be more unreliable.
For a longer lasting display, try layering your spring flowering bulbs in pots. Plant the latest flowering and larger bulbs the deepest, then work your way up in between layers of compost, finishing with the smallest and earliest to flower bulbs at the top
Tip: Plant your bulbs in a mix that is made up of three parts multi-purpose compost and one part grit for good drainage.
Large, showy flowers such as tulips, lilies and alliums are ideal for growing in containers and have a wondrous effect when planning a spring patio.
• Plant three times their depth and one bulb width apart.
• Water bulbs regularly when in active growth.
• Reduce watering once the leaves start to die down and then through the dormant season. However, do keep checking your pots throughout winter, ensuring they don’t die of drought.
• Feed bulbs as soon as the shoots appear every seven to ten days with a fertiliser like liquid tomato feed.
Plant the label: Simply placing the bulb’s label in the ground will help you know what bulbs you have planted and where. This will ensure you don’t disturb your bulbs by planting another variety in the same spot.
Dividing your bulbs: Many bulbs spread during the growing season, so to ensure they’re never over crowded, it’s best to divide or move them when they enter their dormant period. This is usually just after the foliage completely dies back.
Spring Care: Cut back your bulbs once they’ve finished flowering. Don’t be scared, take the stems back to just above ground level and they’ll soon replace themselves. Resist the temptation to cut it back while still green, but floppy.
