Gardening
Summer Bulb Planting
Now is the time to plant Dahlias, Lilies, Begonias, Peony Roses, Agapanthus and Crocosmia – the most vibrant flowers in the garden. Eamonn Wall, our Head Horticulturist, talks through this very simple process, giving tips and adaptations for each flower.
I find planting summer bulbs at this time of year when it’s often cold and dreary really quite uplifting as the thoughts of the bright, showy blooms in a couple of months’ time keep me going.
Planting bulbs is really very easy. At this time of year (March) you will be planting the bulbs in pots as it is too cold – bulbs must be protected from frost – and once the last frosts are over (around the second or third week in May usually) you can plant them out in the garden in the appropriate spot – Lilies and Dahlias love full sun (6-8 hours) while Begonias can tolerate a shadier spot.
TIP: If frost is forecast after you’ve planted your summer bulbs out, just cover them with an upturned flowerpot.
Of course you can keep your bulbs in the pots or containers you planted them in, just move them outside after the last frosts to bring that wow factor to patios, balconies and window boxes.
The old adage ‘The generous gardener has more blooms’ is so true where these flowers are concerned, which basically means the more you snip off, the more blooms you’ll get, so give cuttings to friends, cut stems for flower arrangements and snip off dead flower heads so that the plant’s energy goes into making new ones.
I am a big fan of the multi-packs of bulbs, which give you different types of flowers, guaranteeing a big show of colour and lengthening your flowering season, but you could also go for a one-colour border. It’s up to you! It pays to plan ahead – a pack of bulbs is one third of the price of the plant you will buy in a couple of months’ time.
What you need:
–Bulbs
–Multi-purpose compost
–Pots/containers
–Tomato feed or slow-release fertiliser
TIP: Don’t fill your tops right to the rim with compost as this means that when you water them the water will run off. Leave half an inch/1.5cm below the rim.
Dahlias
Dahlias are beautiful, showy flowers that attract bees and butterflies. They can grow to 3 to 4 feet high! Fill your pot with compost leaving a few inches from the rim. Place the bulb in and cover it with compost with some farmyard manure or rotten organic matter worked in, which will help the soil retain moisture. Water. Keep it in a conservatory or indoors until frosts are over.
When planting in the garden – remember, Dahlias need full sun – dig a hole 1ft/30cm and place the Dahlia in. Add Growmore general fertiliser in with the soil. When it has grown up a bit, put mulch around the base. This not only deters slugs, but it helps retain moisture for the roots.
TIP: The big, flamboyant flowers of the Dahlia can make them top heavy and a plant support comes in very handy. Make sure to put this in place when you’re planting the plant as it’s too difficult when the plant has grown to full size.
TIP: Nip out the growing point when the Dahlia is about a foot high. It will take longer to flower but the blooms will be abundant when it does.
SUGGESTION: Bishop of Llandaff, Babette, Edinburgh, Witteman’s Best
Lilies
Go for a fragrant variety of Lily like the Stargazer. As the name suggests, the flowers grow facing up, rather than hanging down. Like the Dahlia, plant now in pots or directly in the garden after the frosts have ended. Plant the blubs very deep in the soil – three times the height of the bulb from the surface. Lilies like full sun.
SUGGESTION: Merostar, Josephine, Landini
Begonias
There are literally hundreds of varieties of Begonias. I’m going to talk mostly about the pendula type. These are trailing begonias. If you want an upright, look for non-stop begonias. Begonias grow very well in pots or containers and they like dappled sun so are often perfect for balconies as they can tolerate shade. I would put three tubers in a 30cm/1ft pot. Begonias don’t like to be planted deep – just tuck them under the surface. You want them covered with just an inch/3cm of compost. The rounded side of the bulb faces down, the hollow upwards.
If you are planting out your Begonias, as with other tender bulb plants, wait until after the last frost, so around the second or third week in May. Feed your Begonias in pots with tomato feed every three weeks. Water them prior to feeding.
TIP: Feed your Begonias in the morning, preferably before the sun is up, and don’t water the foliage as this only promotes disease.
SUGGESTIONS: Double Red, Pendula Cascade White, Orange Double
Peony Rose
My favourite herbaceous perennial! I have one belonging to my grandmother that must be 60 years old. Unlike the others, this plant will not flower in the first year. It could take up to five years – it’s one for the patient gardener! The Peony Rose loves full sun. Plant the bulb close to the surface like the Begonia and cover with 1 inch/3cm compost.
SUGGESTION: Sarah Bernhardt
Crocosmia
Insects love these flowers. If there is no root on the bulb, look for the pointed end and make sure it is pointed up (root down) when planting.
SUGGESTIONS: George Davison
Agapanthus
The Agapanthus is another slow burner but well worth the wait. Like many summer flowering bulbs, this one is African and does not like sitting in water. The Agapanthus, like the Begonia, doesn’t mind being pot bound. Clumping is actually good for them.
SUGGESTIONS: Africanus, Africanus Albus
What do to do come Autumn
After they’ve finished flowering, before the first frost, dig up Dahlia and Begonia tubers and store them in a tray with some dry compost away from frost. Other bulbs mentioned in the article are hardy and can be left out.
Enjoy the summer colour!
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