Although January is rumbling on, as it always does, spring really isn’t all that far away now, so to beat the winter blues, why not turn your thoughts to what you plan to grow at home once the weather warms up a little?
Container gardens are always wonderful ways to bring your patios and other hard landscaped areas to life. Just because there isn’t any grass doesn’t mean you can’t grow anything, after all!
So, with that in mind, here are three beautiful bulbs to plant for a stunning flower garden that’s not too tricky to look after. Perfect even for the novice gardeners out there!
Ranunculus
Picotee Cafe
Picotee Cafe varieties of ranunculus are wonderfully interesting blooms to look at and work well in containers, although you can also start them off in pots and then plant out from mid-spring onwards. You’ll need a large pot or container for them to fully establish themselves and they’ll do well in a sheltered spot in either full sun or partial shade.
As for soil type, loam, sandy or multipurpose compost will be fine for planting. Soak the bulbs in water for between two and three hours before you plant them, spacing them between five and ten centimetres apart, and between three and five centimetres deep. Plant with the claws facing downwards!
Begonia
Double Red
Create something really showstopping on your patio by planting some Double Red begonias. These are simply stunning and will create a wonderful display.
The tubers are tender, however, so start them off in pots indoors or in your greenhouse in March/April and then transport them outside come May, either straight into the ground or in a lovely container. For containers, opt for multipurpose compost for your growing medium.
Plant the tubers 15-20cm apart with the dipped side facing up and the top of the tuber about a centimetre below the soil surface. Water in well.
Gladiolus
Butterfly
For a bit of height on the patio, gladiolus is always a wonderful choice. While these varieties work well in borders, they’re also easy to grow in containers and quite low maintenance, looking after themselves successfully. Plant them between February and June for flowering in July and August, ensuring that they have a sheltered spot in full sun.