Gardening News

Pots Plotting the Spring

Tulip planting is upon us when the rest of the garden starts going to sleep. Look for signs like slowed growth, especially visible in the lawn, changes in leaf colour on nearby trees, all the time paying close attention to the weather patterns.

After the storms this weekend there is likely to be some tidying needed in the garden. Fortunately we have a pretty dry forecast from Tuesday. Per the Met Office, into early November high pressure will most likely continue to be the dominant feature, meaning drier than normal conditions for most.

November arrives next weekend, and traditionally marks the start of tulip planting. We used to say wait until the first frost, this year perhaps just some colder weather. The soil has then begun to cool, making conditions less favourable for the soil-borne fungus that can affect tulips. Wait for decent soil conditions, we do not want to plant into sodden ground.

For pots and containers I would be quite generous with the numbers. Plant tulips more densely than you would in the border, leaving a little space between the bulbs. We want to create maximum impact, what looks rather too many bulbs at planting looks stunning in the spring. I always refer back to the series “Life in a Cottage Garden with Carol Klein”. You may need more bulbs than you think.

Use fresh compost and dampen it before filling. Old roots and compost hinder proper drainage. The container needs to be of sufficient size to hold moisture in the spring. An often overlooked point is that the first and largest leaf comes from the flat side of the bulb. Keep this side facing outwards when planting the perimeter, your pot will have a more balanced appearance.

Border planting needs rather less arranging. Allow roughly 10cm between bulbs. Forking the soil over before you start makes this job easier than you would imagine. A trowel is the tool of choice.

Count your pots and make sure you have enough bulbs to get you through. You do not have to be restricted to tulips, there are many other bulbs that will bring delight in spring.

An April pot

White Purissima stands above blue Muscari and Anemone blanda, and all three flower from March into April.

A May pot

Queen of Night rises above Purple Elegance in May, with blue Camassia flowering alongside and on into June.