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Planting in pots and containers
It would be hard to conceive of urban environments without flowers in pots and containers. After all, they can perk up a spot almost instantly. Pots and containers offer hundreds of ways to make these sites attractive. The only condition is that the plants have to tolerate wind. Besides Crocus, Scilla, Chionodoxa and Grape Hyacinths, other good choices would be the shorter tulips and small-cupped daffodils:
- planted with a single variety of dry bulbs especially intended for a massive colour effect.
- planted with several kinds of dry bulb that have successive flowering
periods. This will mean planting the bulbs in multiple layers, one over another,
according to the “lasagna system”: early-flowering bulbs in the upper layer,
bulbs that flower later and last in the middle and deepest layers.
Result: weeks of colour! - the use of “instant planting”. This method uses bulbs that have been forced in pots and then planted as mature plants as soon as their shoots become visible. Planting a number of these pots containing the same variety creates containers full plants ready to burst into bloom. Instead of using potted bulbs of the same variety, it would also be possible to combine varieties that will look nice together in patterns such as concentric circles. An example, from outside to inside, could be made up of Anemone blanda 'Blue Shades', Muscari armeniacum 'Album' and Tulipa praestans 'Fusilier', or an edging of Scilla mischtschenkoana with a cluster of Narcissus 'Jack Snipe' in the centre.
- Another way to use pots and containers that takes a bit more effort but provides a very attractive overall picture is the concept of “mini-gardens”: pots and containers filled with a number of small early-flowering shrubs accompanied by an underplanting of instant bulbs and biennials such as pansies, Bellis and Myosotis. The shrubs and biennials will remain attractive for at least 6 to 8 weeks. In the meantime, the bulbs will have to be replaced once, but the result is worth it.
To plant in containers, follow these eight simple steps:
Step 1
The best soil for container plantings is commercial potting mix sold by
the bag at most hardware stores, home centres and garden centres. This soil is
generally richer, cleaner, more insect- and disease- free, and lighter in
consistency than soil found in the ground.
An important characteristic of potting soil is that it retains water for a long time. This is important for keeping flower bulbs from drying out during their growth and flowering. If the bulbs are being planted for just a single flowering, fresh potting soil will last one growing season. When using flower bulbs as tub plants, it is important to enrich the potting soil with fertilizer. This fertilizer is usually applied in the form of tablets that contain all the necessary nutrients for all your houseplants as well as your terrace, balcony and garden plants. The tablets are easy to use: simply poke a hole in the soil and slip the tablet in. The plant will then be supplied with nutrients for at least four weeks. Because the tablet dissolves slowly, the nutrients are released gradually for absorption by the root system. This eliminates the risk of “root burn”. Another option is to replace the potting soil with fresh potting soil every year before putting the pots and containers out.
Step 2
Plants cannot survive in waterlogged soil, they must have good "drainage" to
keep their roots healthy. All containers must have drainage holes in the bottom.
Step 3
Choose containers deep enough for the plants you wish to feature (check-
planting instructions on the plant label).
Step 4
Fill the pot one-quarter to one-third deep with soil, position plants at the
proper depth (read planting instructions that come with the plants). Fill in
additional soil up to one-inch below the pot top. This extra space at the top
provides room for mulch if needed, plus allows room for watering.
Step 5
In autumn you can even plant more layers in one container to have a spring
garden in one pot. This is called the ‘lasagne-technique’. You either choose
bulbs, which flower one after another, this way you can get 100-days of bloom in
one container. Or you choose to have two type of flower bulbs to flower at the
same time.
Step 6
You can display the planted container as is, or sink it into another more
decorative outer container. When "double potting" be sure that water won't
collect at the base and "drown" the inner pot. If water does collect, drain it
as needed. A good trick; elevate the inner pot by placing it upon a brick or
inverted plant saucer positioned inside the outer pot.
Step 7
Among good containers to try are: terracotta pots, plastic planters, moulded
fibreglass planters, wooden half-barrels, wicker baskets, ceramic pots, old
wooden wagons and wheelbarrows, and even tires.
Step 8
Group pots together for greater visual effect, and to minimise watering labour.
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