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Home > Flower and garden articles > SPRING BULBS - NOW !
SPRING BULBS - NOW !
For a wonderful array of colour in Spring, now is the time to start planning ahead and organising your spring flowering bulbs……. and it couldn’t be easier!
The choice of bulbs for spring flowers is enormous, and no matter where you live in Australia there are bulbs for every climate and every position.
Every garden, from extra large to extra small, can have a beautiful display of flowers in Spring. Even if you don’t have much time to spend in your garden you can still easily enjoy bulbs with very little effort.
Spring flowering bulbs can be used in all kinds of different garden situations, both in garden beds as well as in pots and containers. So you can use almost any type of container that takes your fancy, and fill it with your favourite colours!
The best time for planting Spring flowering bulbs is April to May in most areas, or slightly later in warmer regions, as the soil needs to cool down after the heat of summer. In the warmer regions of Australia, Tulips will need 6-8 weeks of refrigeration prior to planting to give them the boost of an artificial winter, as our temperatures are too mild for these cold climate bulbs. This will ensure good strong growth in your garden, and good flowering. Just make sure you don’t freeze your Tulip bulbs - this will definitely HARM them!
Planting bulbs is so easy, from the smallest to the largest of varieties.
Lovely plump bulbs such as Tulips, Daffodils, Jonquils and Hyacinths can be quickly and easily planted with the use of a bulb planter tool. These handy little gadgets make it quick and easy to plant out your bulbs, and are a great idea for those who have restricted strength in the hands or wrists. In fact, once you’ve used a bulb planter you’ll find it also comes in very handy for planting out young perennials too.
As a general rule of thumb, bulbs should be planted at least twice as deep as the height of the bulb. If you live in the warmer regions of Australia you should plant slightly deeper, and mulching can also be beneficial to ensure your bulbs don’t cook during hot weather!
If planting in the garden, preparation of the soil with a good fertiliser a couple of weeks prior to planting is desirable. However, if you don’t have time, plant out your bulbs, top dress with some blood and bone, and then water in. Don’t be tempted to water the bulbs again until you start to see the new shoots coming through the top of the soil, as over watering can cause rotting in some varieties. However, once the bulbs are actively growing, just ensure that the soil stays constantly moist, as completely dry soil will stress the bulbs.
When planting into containers, it’s wise to buy the best quality potting mix you can find, to ensure good results. Choose a size and shape of container that will suit the flowers, to achieve a balanced look. Use larger pots for tall varieties such as Monet Tulips or Dutch Iris, smaller pots can be used for Anemones and Crocus, and shallow bowls look wonderful planted with Hyacinths or miniature Daffodils. Again, soil should be kept moist, and not allowed to dry out completely.
Mix and match containers with your choice of flower colour, to create bright highlights for your garden, patios and verandahs. Choose either subtle pastels, or bright Mediterranean colours for contrast.
Aged terracotta pots are fabulous filled with bright spring flowers, or use any container that you can lay your hands on to create a feature, such as an old wheelbarrow, tin bath or wooden barrel. Even old watering cans or enamel bowls can be transformed into novelty containers and bring a fun feel into your garden !
Plant fragrant flowering bulbs such as gorgeous hyacinths into glazed pots, and when they flower you can bring them into the house to enjoy their heady perfume. If you prefer them in your garden beds, plant near the house for maximum enjoyment.
The best way to create an impact in your garden beds is to plant generously in bold groups, and companion plant larger bulbs with smaller bulbs to create a sea of flowers. Try planting Anemones with Daffodils, Ranunculus with Tulips, Grape Hyacinths with Dutch Iris, Jonquils with Soldier Boys…….the combinations are endless!
Spring flowering bulbs are the easiest way to bring brilliant splashes of colour and beauty to your garden, so if you haven’t tried them yet now is the perfect time to get creative and give it a go!
by Jenny Waldock
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