Its Spring Bulb Planting Time!
The majority of the Spring flowering bulbs have now arrived in the Garden Centres.
Daffodils,Narcissi,Crocus,Hyacinths can be planted right away.
Bulbs are planted at 2-3 times the depth of the bulb.
Use a good general fertiliser prior to planting such as Vitax Q4.
Hyacinths for Christmas should be planted right away in pots,bowls,troughs or hanging baskets.
Hyacinths are eagerly awaited with their great sturdy flowers in a range of definite colours-reds,pinks,blues,whites&yellows.
If planting in bowls or containers with no drainage use bulb fibre to keep the compost sweet.Bulb fibre usually contains charcoal and oyster shell to keep the compost sweet and free draining.No further additives are required with the bulb fibre.
Ordinary potting compost such as John Innes No.3,Shamrock Organic Gold can be used where drainage is provided in the containers.
You should wear gloves when handling Hyacinths.
Hyacinths can be close together in the pot or bowl but not touching each other.
The tops of the bulbs should be just showing above the surface.
After planting the bulbs need a dark and cool period (about 9 o C).
The bowls and pots can be placed in a cool, sunless situation outdoors,such as against a north facing wall or fence.
You can then cover with a 15cm,(6”)layer of bark or compost.
Stand on a firm base to minimise slugs entering the containers.
When the roots have developed and the shoots are 4-5cm.long the pots can be brought indoors.Initially move indoors to a cool room out of intense bright light and then move to a window in a brighter warmer place.
Avoid draughts or place near a radiator or sources of warm,dry air.
Narcissi for Christmas.
The Paperwhite Narcissi will flower in 7-9 weeks from potting.
These elegant charming flowers will fill your room or conservatory with a delightful fragrance.Grow on pots,bowls or glass bulb jars.
Keep in a cool,bright position as they come into flower.
Bulbs for Patio Containers
Most bulbs for containers should be under 12”(30cm.)in height.
Plant a selection to give you a succession of colour.
A typical timetable would be-:
January-Snowdrops,Early Daffodils
February- Crocus,Anemone blanda,Hyacinths,Iris danfordiae,
March –Narcissi,early Tulips,Grape Hyacinths,Anemones
April. Tulips-taller varieties for large tubs.
May –late Tulips
June -Alliums
July.-Lilies.
You can use the multi-layer method of planting bulbs where different layers of varieties are planted to give succession of colour.
A typical example would be top=Crocus.
Dwarf Narcissi February Gold
Tulip Red Riding Hood.
Blue Winter Pansies
Use fresh compost and make sure there are adequate drainage holes.
Old crocks or stones are ideal in the base.
Bulbs for naturalising
Daffodils,Narcissi,Bluebells,Crocus,Snowdrops,Fritillaria meleagris,Cyclamen hederifolium are also suitable for growing informally in a naturalised way.
Plant the bulbs at 2-3 times their depth in large informal groups and drifts.
The aim is to simulate a natural scenario as much as possible.
All the large Daffodil varieties are suitable such as-
Golden Harvest
Dutch Master
Mount Hood-pure white trumpets.
Scarlet O,Hara
White Lion
Barrett Browning.
Use a good general fertiliser such as Blood,Fish&Bone Meal or Vitax Q4 prior to planting.
Avoid waterlogged situations.
Bulbs wont survive or thrive in waterlogged situations.
All bulbs for naturalising maybe planted from August to mid-December.
Naturalised bulbs will give years of pleasure.
Daffodils should be allowed to die back naturally after flowering.
A period of 6 weeks should elapse after flowering before any mowing.
Cutting down earlier than this will adversely affect the flowering for the coming season.
Knotting leaves is not recommended doing more harm than good.
You can have a succession of naturalised displays by having a succession of bulbs suitable for naturalising-in the following order-
January/February –Snowdrops.
February –Aconites,Crocus.
March/April-Daffodils/Narcissi,Fritillarias.
May/June-Bluebells.
It is a good idea to give bulbs such as Crocus a quick dip of paraffin prior to planting to deter vermin such as mice.
Achieving the natural effect-scatter the bulbs randomly and plant where they fall.
Use a bulb planter or trowel to plant.
Summer flowering bulbs arrive in Hosfords in late January/February.
Summer flowering bulbs include-Dahlias,Begonias,Gladioli,Nerines.
Lilies are available for Autumn or early Spring planting.
Sweetly Scented Bulbs.
Hyacinths –all Hyacinths are powerfully scented.
Choose prepared varieties for indoor use.
Many of the Daffodil/Narcissi family have particulary noteworthy scent.
The following are recommended-
Erlicheer –suitable for indoor bowls.
Bridal Crown-beautiful,double cream flowers,famed for its fragrance.
Cheerfulness White
Cheerfulness Yellow.
Pheasants Eye white with a red eye,legendary fragrance!
Grand Soleil D,Or-yellow with red centre ,suitable for early indoor bowls.
Bulbs for the Mixed Border
The following are recommended to provide colour in mixed or herbaceous borders before the main Summer colour comes on stream.
Camassias in blue or white shades.
Eremurus spectacular tall ,these make a dramatic statement in the border ,4 foot+ in height ,yellows,oranges,limes etc,,makes a good cut flower too!
Eremurus like well drained,well dug over humus rich soil containing lots of compost,place in a sunny area protected from strong winds.
Eremurus looks good against a backdrop of evergreens or shrubs.
Plant in bold,dramatic groups.
Anemone Bordeaux is a new burgundy coloured Anemone coming to a height of 14”(30cm).Ideal for the front of the border.Soak the corms in water for 3 hours prior to planting.
Corydalis solida will reach 10”(25cm.)in height.,flowering in March/April.
Bulbs for cut flowers
Gladiolus byzantinus are fully hardy,reach 30” in height .
They like full sun and good drainage.
Plant in a permanent position where they will remain undisturbed.
Further details on bulbs from :Hosfords Geranium&Garden Centre Ltd.
Tel.023-8839159.
Fax 023-8839300
e-mail john@hosfordsgardencentre.ie |
