Playing with colour

Provided they are given a sunny, well-drained location, spring bulbs are among the easiest of flowers to grow and a wonderful opportunity to indulge in some creative colour scheming.

Daffodils grow well throughout New Zealand. These spring icons are perfect for ‘naturalising ’ under trees but they also look great in pots.

In their Northern Hemisphere homelands tulips, hyacinths are seen popping up through the snow. In nature the long winter chill activates flowering but these cold climate treasures are easily enjoyed in any climate when treated as annuals and with fresh bulbs purchased each year. Choose from a huge range of colours to create a different look every year.

Fragrant hyacinths make stunning pot plants and can be brought indoors at flowering time. Keep potted the bulbs in a cool spot outdoors until the flower buds appear, then move them to pride of place with plenty of natural light. The flowers will last longer if kept cool.

Fantastic in combination with daffodils or tulips, grape hyacinths (Muscari) provide a mass of bright blue or snowy white flowers like little bunches of grapes pop up on 10cm stems amid a thick shaggy carpet of short green leaves.

Especially bred as cut flowers in a huge range of bright colours, poppy-flowered anemones and peony-like ranunculus have strong stems and a long vase life. Freesias, Lachenalia and other spring bulbs that hail from South Africa are ideal for New Zealand’s warmer climates and ideal for pots.

Planting time for spring bulbs extends from March till May. For the pick of the season’s best, purchase bulbs as soon as they come available. Bulbs can be stored in paper bags in a cool place until you are ready to plant them. When buying bulbs, look for firm, plump bulbs free from signs of mould or damage. Check the firmness of each bulb and reject any that feel soft.

When planting bulbs, free draining soil or potting mix is critical as soggy wet bulbs will rot before they bloom. If your soil lies heavy and wet in winter, opt for pots or a raised garden bed.

TIP: Create impact! Plant in tight groupings rather than scattering them about. A mass planting of one variety can be breath taking. In pots, plant tulips bulbs close together, so they are almost touching.

Spring bulbs in pots

Containers are a very practical way to provide the perfect conditions to grow spring flowering bulbs.

1. Always plant in fresh potting mix.
2. Plant generously so that the pots look full. Large bulbs, such as tulips can be almost touching. Bulbs which have bushy foliage, such as freesias should be spaced about 2cm apart.
3. After planting place the containers in a cool place until the shoots appear. Then bring them out into a sunny position for flowering.
4. For perfect drainage sit large pots on spaced bricks or pot feet.

Look for these products, tips and advice at a Go Gardening Store near you.

A field of tulips, daffodils and grape hyacinths

Daffodils

Tulips and hyacinths

Ranunculus

Crocus