SPRING BULBS IN POTS

Spring flowering bulbs love growing in pots because they insist on perfect drainage. Because they grow through the cool rainy season, they thrive with much less watering than summer pots. If your garden soil is heavy and wet over winter, switch to growing your bulbs in pots and you’ll be amazed at the difference. Always plant in fresh potting mix.

Using freshly purchased bulbs for your prize pots generally ensures the most spectacular results. Professionally grown bulbs have been given the optimum growing conditions and the necessary temperature treatments for peak flowering performance. Bulbs saved from last years pots are not so reliable with smaller flowers, but they’re still worth planting if you have space in good garden soil, or potting mix to spare. Discard any that feel soft. Smaller bulbs may be a year or two away from flowering.

Plant generously so that the pots look full. Large bulbs, such as tulips can be almost touching. Bulbs which have bushy foliage, such as freesias should be spaced about 2cm apart.

After planting, place the containers in a cool place until the shoots appear. Then bring them out into a sunny position for flowering.

Drainage is further improved by sitting pots on spaced bricks or pot feet available from garden centres.

Keep the potting mix moist, but not wet throughout the growing season.