Text: Loren Shirley-Carr. Photographs: Lynne Yates and Loren Shirley-Carr. Article from the April 2014 issue of Garden and Home Magazine.
Plant bulbs in containers now an you’ll reap the rewards in spring
Create one of these beautiful containers by planting bulbs now, and when they flower in spring, adding a few annuals for a pretty mixed planting.
“As larger bulbs (except hyacinths) should be planted deeper down in the soil and smaller bulbs higher up, you can combine different varieties in the same pot to produce a colourful massed effect,” says bulb expert Charles Barnhoorn of Hadeco. “For example, daffodils (narcissus) can be planted below muscari; lachenalia below ipheion; daffodils below hyacinths and watsonia below tritonia. You can plant annuals on top for extra colour.”
1. Lady in Red
Elegant tulips (1) are the epitome of spring. These tall red and white beauties form a dramatic focal point in this container with a profusion of Viola ‘Lolita White Blotch’ (2) softening the edges. Plant your treated tulips in May in the centre of your pot. In spring when they start to flower, add a frame of violas, choosing a colour that complements your tulips.
2. Country Inspiration
Reminiscent of springtime in the English countryside, daffodils (1), tulips (2), hyacinths (3) and primulas (4) are perfectly at home in this rustic metal bucket. Plant the daffodil and hyacinth bulbs in late April, the tulip bulbs in May and add the primulas in spring to brighten the mix with their delicate white blooms.
Reusing bulbs
“To keep your bulbs for replanting the following season, leave them in the soil after they’ve finished flowering,” advises Charles Barnhoorn of Hadeco. “Water them regularly and fertilise with bulb food until the end of the growing season (November). Remove the bulbs from the soil in December, label them and store them in a warm, dry spot until April, when you can repot them in fresh soil. Tulips, Dutch iris and hyacinths, however, often don’t flower for a second season in our warm climate.”
3. Local Interests
Keep an eye out at the nursery for potted bulbs that have been forced to bloom out of season. By combining these ready-grown beauties with bulbs you’ve planted yourself, it’s possible to have an unusual mixed planting, featuring varieties that would normally only be in flower at different times of the year.
The indigenous spring-flowering lachenalia bulbs (1) in this container were planted in April. To complement their gold and maroon blooms, pots of coloured arums (Zantedeschia sp.) (2), which naturally flower in summer but can be found in bloom in nurseries in September, were added. Creeping ficus (Ficus pumila) (3) spills over the edge of the pot to complete the lush look.
Planting bulbs in containers
Bulb expert Charles Barnhoorn of Hadeco shares some tips:
- The best time to plant bulbs is the end of April when the soil temperature has cooled down. Tulips, however, should be planted in May.
- Select a pot with drainage holes and place gravel at the bottom; this will aid drainage and prevent the soil from escaping.
- Fill the container with fine, loosened potting soil. You can add some river sand and compost, but it’s not essential.
- For the correct planting depth, check the guidelines on the bulb pack. Generally the amount of soil above the bulb should be the same as the length of the bulb itself.
- Cover the soil with 1-2cm of mulch, preferably old compost. This helps to retain moisture and regulate the soil temperature.
- Water your bulbs immediately after planting and regularly thereafter; this is usually every day or two for small pots and every two to three days for large containers. Don’t allow the soil at root level to dry out.
- Place large containers in a sheltered position, but where they’ll receive half a day of sun. Smaller containers should be kept in a cool spot for the first few weeks and, once the bulbs’ foliage appears, moved to a position where they’ll receive morning sun.
SOURCES Container and plants Garden World 011 957 2046 Hadeco hadeco.co.za
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