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A cunning plan for indoor colour at Christmas
Plant up a few bulbs now and you won’t have to wait until spring to enjoy them, says Clare Coulson
Many of us will be busy planning and planting bulbs for next spring over the next month or two, but there is also a way to have all that vibrancy, scent and colour indoors several months earlier and, in some cases, in time for Christmas. Using either prepared bulbs (which have been tricked into breaking their dormancy after being stored at colder temperatures) or early flowering bulbs, you can create beautiful displays of joyous flowers that make a fabulous addition to festive interiors.
Hyacinths, narcissi, amaryllis, crocus and even lily of the valley can all be planted now or, in some cases, into November to create beautiful vignettes by the end of the year.
For maximum impact at Christmas, florist Tom Broom-Hughes (thomasbloom.biz) advises choosing a limited colour scheme, saving blues and pinks for spring. Instead, opt for all white, which can look dazzling against the twinkling candles and lights of December. Or, if you prefer colour, choose deep jewel colours like burgundy, velvety dark reds, purples (hyacinth ‘Woodstock’ is perfect) or rich orange tones that often work well with traditional festive colours and greenery.
If you’re going the chic white route, Broom-Hughes suggests using paperwhite narcissi en masse, which flower 8-10 weeks after planting. They will not only look beautiful but will scent your home, too. “I use so many at Christmas, filling large bowls; individual terracotta pots and even wrapping them in moss (the Japanese tradition known as kokedama) to create natural displays,” says Tom.
‘Ziva’ is a white-flowered, multiheaded variety (£6 for 10 bulbs at peternyssen.com) or ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’, a vibrant, rich yellow is also good for forcing. Plant in bulb fibre with the tips just visible and keep bulbs damp but not wet. They look wonderful in shallow wicker baskets, but bear in mind stems may need support. “I always surround the bulbs with lots of birch or alder twigs,” adds Broom-Hughes. Although any garden twiggery will do.
You can also grow bulbs on pebbles. In mid to late October, fill a shallow vase or bowl with clean pebbles, place the bulbs on top and then fill with water just up to the base of the bulbs. Add a lump of charcoal to keep the water clear. Keep in a cool, light but frost-free spot, such as a porch or cold greenhouse. In late November you can bring the pots inside, but away from direct heat. Plant up several pots in succession to have blooms into the new year.
If you want a more sultry display, the deep red varieties of amaryllis (Hippeastrum) can be stunning. Try ‘Royal Velvet’ for the deepest burgundy or the new, rich red ‘Mandela’ (at hwhyde. co.uk) if you prefer reds with more vibrancy. Plant them in mid to late October for December flowering. When the bulbs arrive, soak the roots in tepid water overnight and plant into individual pots, first making a cone of compost and spreading the roots over it. Then add more compost, leaving the top third of the bulb above the surface.