Debi Holland shows you how to layer your spring-flowering bulbs in pots to create a spectacular, continuous succession of blooms that lasts for months!
How to layer bulbs in pots
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How do you get months of blooms from one pot? Plant a mix of spring-flowering bulbs in autumn, arranging them in layers like a lasagne.
Layer the bulbs by size and flowering time. Start with the largest, later-flowering bulbs at the bottom. Put smaller, earlier-flowering bulbs nearer the top. Pick varieties that flower at different times and grow to different heights, so each layer complements the others. Depending on what you choose, you can have flowers from late winter into early summer.
Get the planting depth right. As a rule of thumb, plant bulbs two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall. If you dig a hole three times the height of a tulip bulb and place the bulb at the bottom, there should be room for two more bulbs of the same size between it and the surface.
Bulbs store the energy they need until shoots reach the surface and leaves can photosynthesise. Some bulbs can irritate the skin, so wear gloves if needed and wash your hands after handling them. Then let the pot do the work and enjoy the succession of flowers.
