Are your Bulbs bright enough?

Plants need heat and light to thrive and both are in short supply early in the year.
Bulbs are full of stored food and that is why they grow and flower in the winter/spring when the days are short and it is still too cold for most plants.
The bigger the Bulb the better the flower - it really is as simple as that - so when you go to buy Bulbs always try and get "Topsize".
Last week I covered Daffs, this week I'll cover other Bulbs.

Snowdrops: are the first Bulbs to come up each year and they really can cheer you up on a bleak winter's day.
Crocus: are next to appear and they have so many colours that they can turn a lawn into a mass of colour.
Tulips: The most popular are the dwarf varieties such as "Red Riding Hood", "Heart's Delight" and "Cape Cod" but do try a multi-headed variety.
Many people don't like the taller varieties as they can be blown over by the wind but you would be missing out on some stunning flowers. Modern varieties are stronger stemmed and if planted against a wall or fence wind becomes less of a problem. Try "Double Earlies" for their lovely camellia like flowers. "Lily Flowered" varieties have long pointed petals. Finally have a look at the exotic "Parrot tulips".
Fritillaria: for something unusual give these a try. "The Crown Imperial" varieties are easy to grow and are spectacular.
Hyacinths: Remember to buy "prepared" ones if you are buying them for Christmas flowering and don't forget that they grow outdoors too.

All of these Bulbs will grow well in Containers. Try a pot with Daffodils in the centre, surrounded by a ring of dwarf tulips, surrounded by an outer ring of Snowdrops and Crocus. Another good arrangement is to plant Daffs in a pot in three layers. The top layer will flower first, followed by the middle one and so on.

Article provided by Ron from West Carlston Garden Centre in Torrance.
Try our website www.westcarlston.com
This week's Competition: Name a multi-headed dwarf tulip.
The sender of the first correct e-mail will receive a £10 Gift Voucher.
Ron can be contacted at info@westcarlston.com
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