Tulips in Spring?

I went gung-ho on my back garden this year and basically replaced it all with lawn as I wanted a blank canvas that I could design over the winter ready for Spring.

My problem is i'm going to start spring with a garden that's very ... uhhmmm ... green.

I'd like a bit of colour that can be moved around so I bought some half oak barrels to fill with tulip bulbs. (Not sure why, but i've taken a fancy to tulips) Problem is, i'm not sure what varieties would be suitable.

Any suggestions, handy tips, online supplier links, would be greatly appreciated.

Anthony.

 

As it's a new garden why not just get some supermarket/garden center cheapo bags of mixed colours and maybe some dwarf daffs or narcissus to plant round the edges. You can also get blue scilla siberica for even more dazzling base colour.

As your tubs finish blooming you can label all the tulips with their colours and once everthing dies back lift them for storage in a dry place until ready to plant next autumn where you want in your new garden.

 

The main thing is to put in plenty of bulbs. Plant in clumps rather than evenly spaced for the best effect. Most of the gardening magazines have pieces on planting bulbs just now and some have giveaways as well so they are worth a look.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I didn't realise that I could dig them up again. I've a small patch of lawn that I own at the side of my house and every year some daffs and tulips have appeared. I think i'll dig them up next year. :D

Most of the tulips I like say they grow to 50cm. To me, this sounds like they won't be suitable for pot planting? Am I right?

As far as soil goes, i've got a tonne on Rolawn blended loam left from this years lawn. Will this be suitable?

I also thought it'd be nice to put a thin top layer of fine gravel or bark chippings so that I don't just see "mud" over the next few months and to provide a little extra protection over the winter? Will it be ok to do?

In the meantime i'm going to draw up my short list. I have to admit that this little project is kind of exciting! :D

 

You can grow anything in a pot!

As for the topping, bark would be better as it will break down and disappear after a while.

 

Hi Anthony

just come across your message,here is a good web site for bulbs and plants, special offers at the moment tulips 15 for 95p teta tete 30 for 95p plus free gift Queen of the night tulips worth �£7.95 lots more offers. :eek:

 

I finally got round to planting my bulbs and decided to get the following ...

Violet Beauty ...



Mistress and Pink Pride mixture ...



Cummins ...



Golden Apeldoorn ...



Recreado ...



Skagit Valley ...



I've put the tulip and narcissi mix in two pots and a mixture of the rest in one big tub.

I have to confess that I did go a bit over the top and bought way too many. I've plenty spare and have put them into storage but if anyone would like to do some swaps then let me know.

I can't wait until Spring. :D

 

beautiful tulips - gonna look smashing in the spring. Suggestion, with the excess, why not plant and overplant with others- primulars, ericas and winter flowering pansies to give you winter colour.

Sadly the only excess I have at this time of year, is lavender (hidcot) and some gathered seed.