insideKENT Magazine Issue 31 - October 2014 | Page 119

OUTDOORLIVING

bulbs: PLANTING

Bulbs make a fine display planted in containers or borders, especially daffodils, snowdrops and
tulips in spring. They are one of the easiest and most rewarding garden plants to grow.

Suitability

How to plant bulbs

Bulbs are useful for adding colour to spring
borders. Tulips come in all shades, from dark
purple to white, and bloom at a time of year
when many plants offer muted colours. Other
bulbs, such as snowdrops and scillas, are some
of the earliest flowering plants in the garden,
brightening up the short days of very early spring.
Planting summer-flowering bulbs such as
lilies and gladioli can provide dramatic, tall blooms
that are scented. Meanwhile, autumn-flowering
bulbs, such as nerines, can brighten up the late
season with unexpectedly colourful displays.

Most bulbs are acquired and planted when dry
and in a dormant, leafless, rootless state. It is
important to plant as soon as possible, as
opposed to later than recommended or after
lengthy storage, to avoid poor flowering.

When to do it

This method applies to spring, summer and
autumn-flowering bulbs:
• Dig a hole wide and deep enough for your
bulbs.
• Work out the planting depth by roughly
measuring the bulb from base to tip and
doubling or tripling this length – this figure is
the rough planting depth. For example, a 5cm
high bulb should be 10-15cm below soil level.
• Place the bulbs in the hole with their ‘nose’,
or shoot, facing upwards. Space them at least
twice the bulb’s own width apart.
• Replace the soil and gently firm with the back
of a rake. Avoid treading on the soil as this can
damage the bulbs.

Autumn
• Plant spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodils,
crocus and hyacinths, preferably by the end
of September.
• Plant tulips in November.
• Plant hardy summer-flowering bulbs, such as
lilies, alliums and crocosmia, in September and
October.
Spring
• Plant tender summer-flowering bulbs, including
gladioli, in early spring.
Summer
• Plant autumn-flowering bulbs, such as nerines,
by late summer.
Where to plant bulbs
Some bulbs need specific siting. Most hardy
bulbs, including tulips and daffodils, prefer a
warm, sunny site with good drainage as they
come from areas with dry summer climates.
Bulbs from cool, moist, woodland habitats,
such as Cardiocrinum, need similar garden
conditions. Improve light or sandy soils with
garden compost, and heavy soils with compost
and grit.

Planting in borders
Aim to plant in groups of at least six, as the more
bulbs that are grouped together, the better the
display. Typically, 25 to 50 bulbs may be needed
to make an impressive show.

• Plant at three times their depth and one bulb
width apart.
• Water bulbs regularly when in active growth,
but reduce watering once the leaves start to
die down before and during the dormant
season. However, continue to check pots in
winter, ensuring they do not dry out completely
.
• To promote good flowering next year, feed the
bulbs every seven to ten days with a highpotassium fertiliser such as a liquid tomato
feed. Begin feeding as soon as shoots appear,
and stop feeding once the foliage starts to die
down at the end of the season.
• If you bring pots of hardy bulbs indoors during
flowering, put them in a sheltered spot outside
as soon as flowering is over.
Problems
Check that the bulbs are healthy to start with
(discarding any t