How to get it right
● When planting up containers, generally ignore the spacing and depth instructions used for planting in ground. Pack them in and cover with compost! ● Remember to feed when in growth – plenty of high potash fertiliser will spur on next year’s flowers. ● Don’t let pots freeze. If temperatures dip below -5C (23F) move your bulbs into a greenhouse or shed. ● The bigger the bulbs the more mature they are, so the bigger and better the flowers – it’s worth that extra expense. ● Don’t crowd big-flowered varieties too much or the heads will be too close together. This is particularly important with alliums. ● Massed planting will give the greatest impact – swathes of daffodils or juicy tubs of tulips. The exception is very tall varieties which can have presence even when scattered through a border. ● With smaller flowers strength is in numbers – lots of snowdrops, crocuses or aconites growing together can be an impressive sight.
Planting
In general, bulbs like moist, fertile, well-drained soil and plenty of light when they’re in growth. Plant them at least two to three times the depth of the bulb, unless the instructions explicitly state otherwise, for example with eremurus. Most bulbs need plenty to drink when growing and bulking up for next year, but need much drier conditions when dormant. If in doubt, find out what the climate is like in the country where the bulb originates and try and replicate it.