Plant bulbs now for a splash of spring colour

Planting bulbs in containers 

Spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils can be planted in layers in containers to provide a spectacular display of springtime colour. Bulbs should be planted pointed end up (lay them on their side if you’re not sure which is the top end) and you can place them quite close together – up to a bulb’s width apart is fine. 

The amount of compost you will need will of course depend on the size of your container, however, a minimum depth of 10cm at the bottom and several centimetres between layers is needed in order for the bulbs to take root.  When your planter is full, you can top it off with a layer of decorative gravel mulch to help it look tidy until the first green shoots begin to emerge alongside the warmer weather.  When handling bulbs always remember to wear gardening gloves as bulbs can irritate the skin. 

Choosing bulbs for containers 

Thanks to their long periods of dormancy, bulbs are versatile and fairly hardy plants, although when they’re planted in containers, they do need a bit more attention than when they are planted in soil. Choosing healthy bulbs will give you the best chance of success – go to a reputable supplier and look for plump and firm bulbs. It’s important to avoid any that are visibly damaged or feel soft or shrivelled to the touch. Try to plant your bulbs within a week of buying them to ensure that they are still fresh and don’t get the chance to begin sprouting before they are planted. 

Caring for container bulbs 

The best results will come from soil that is kept moist over the winter months. Amberol’s range of self-watering planters come in a wide range of sizes, colours and styles to suit all kinds of communal spaces. All our planters feature our unique Aquafeed™ system comprising of a series of high capacity capillary action wicks designed to suck water from a sub-soil water reservoir onto to a dispersal mat. This mat distributes the water evenly to the overlaying compost, maintaining the ideal level of moisture at all times. This significantly cuts down the amount of attention and watering your spring display will need over the winter months. 

Planning a spring display 

A variety of bulbs can be planted in the same container, although different bulbs may flower at different times. A range of size and type of bulbs can create a more natural looking display, however a display solely comprised of tulips or daffodils can look stunning. In order to make sure you reap the rewards of spring as soon as possible, include some early flowering bulbs like snowdrops and crocuses in your spring planters. 

Colour for years to come 

After your bulbs have flowered next spring, you will need your containers to display your summer plants; however there is no need to throw your bulbs away. If you have an area where they can be replanted, you can transfer them to the ground and keep them well fed and watered until the green foliage turns brown or yellow. At this point, they can be dug up to have the old foliage cut off before being stored in an airy place for several days. They can then be stored until early autumn when they can be replanted. Container bulbs recycled in this way can’t be reused in pots as they won’t flower nearly so well in this setting again, but they can return to their former glory in beds and borders. 

Self-watering planters for all your floral display needs 

Amberol’s large and versatile range of self-watering planters are perfect for ensuring that flowers and plants flourish all year round. To find out more please call 01773 830930 or email sales@amberol.co.uk.