I have always thought that to get the best out of life it’s good to plan ahead - if nothing else it always gives you something to look forward to. Gardening is no different and you often get the best results if you plan ahead for the seasons to come. We are doing just that in our nursery right now, planting bulbs in pots to create a spring display for our alpine glasshouse.
Alpine House in Winter Alpine House in Spring
The bulbs were ordered back in September and we are now planting them in shallow pots, with around 10 – 12 bulbs per pot to produce a bold display. After planting they are watered sparingly throughout the winter, and kept in a cool covered area in the nursery (a rodent free location), until they start to flower. In February they are moved to our unheated Alpine House in the garden, so all out visitors in late winter and early spring can enjoy the delightful flowers.
We plant a range of crocus, Iris reticulata, narcissus, tulips, muscari and fritillarias, working on the basis small is beautiful which fits in with our Alpine House display. One of my favourites is Crocus sieberi subsp. atticus ‘Firefly’ – these are extremely free flowering in a beautiful pale violet, with almost luminous bright orange centres - as the name suggests. Iris ‘Purple Gem’ (Reticulata) is also a favourite, with its sturdy short flowers and velvet-like petals, as well as Narcissus ‘Hawera’ – a daffodil which produces a myriad of dainty pale lemon nodding flowers on stems that are just 30cm tall.
It’s still not too late to create your own spring display; I’m really looking forward to seeing ours!
Blog by Helen Round, Superintendent, Decorative & Nursery