How to Plant Tulip Bulbs in Pots?
A Guide to How to Plant Tulip Bulbs in Pots for an Enchanting Spring Display
Why Should You Plant Tulip Bulbs in Pots?
Tulips are unquestionably one of the most beautiful blooms to grace the garden in spring, but they do have a few drawbacks.
- Firstly, unlike daffodils, most tulip varieties do not reliably return year after year, so many gardeners choose to discard the bulbs after flowering.
- Secondly, there is the problem of disguising the fading stems and leaves. Thirdly, tulip bulbs are a favorite snack of creatures such as squirrels and voles. Planting tulips in a pot gives the bulbs extra protection from predators. You can also move tulip bulbs in pots around as required and if you live in a colder area (zones 4-7) you can bring them into an unheated garage or shed for the winter.
How to Plant Tulip Bulbs in Pots Outside?
Plant your tulips in the fall - any time from September through December. Prepare some large pots - smaller ones will reduce the impact of the blooms. Use any potting compost; there’s no need to add extra fertilizer. You can plant the bulbs much closer than you would in a border: arrange them in tight circles, making sure that they are not touching. Plant at the same depth that you would in the ground, so two to three times the height of the bulb. If animals are likely to disturb the bulbs, protect them with a wire grid and cover this with a thin layer of compost.
How to Plant Tulip Bulbs in Pots for the Best Display?
For the best display, it’s important that all the tulip bulbs in pots bloom at the same time so while it’s fun to mix varieties, check whether they are early, mid-season or late-flowering cultivars. Another idea is to fill a deep container with layers of tulips that bloom in succession. Tulips in pots also look fabulous combined with classic spring plants such as daisies, pansies, and forget-me-nots.
Our great value-for-money tulip bulbs are all grown in the Netherlands, the world center for flower bulbs, and are perfect for planting in pots. Our tulip bulbs are shipped from September onwards; look out for our special offers.
