Bulbs

Requirements 

-Full sun

-Good clay loam soil with summer water holding capacity

-Some slow release food at planting and follow up with Rose fertiliser in spring and mid-late summer

-Deep watering in dry summer periods

-Possible pests are Aphids and caterpillars. Spray with Mavrik (this is bee safe and soft on ladybirds)

-Possible disease is powdery mildew. Spray with Yates Fungus Fighter

- Removing spent flowers will prolong flowering

-Most bulbs and perennials will die back to ground level in winter

-Evergreen perennials will require cutting back to keep them tidy and encourage new growth.

Popular species and varieties

Bulbs – we have only listed the old favourites, there are of course many more.

Winter/early spring flowering – Anemones, Crocus, Early Cheer, Ranunculus.

Spring flowering – Bluebells, Daffodils, Tulips and Jonquils.

Summer / Autumn Flowering – Begonias, Calla lilies, Dahlias, Gladioli and Lilies.

Bulbs come in all types, shapes, colours and uses and are renowned for their spring, summer and autumn colour. They range in height and spread from flat ground cover up to 1.5m tall.

Uses

-Plant in mixed borders

-Great gap ‘fillers’

-Ground covers on banks and over walls

-Under-planting trees

-In pots and containers

-Many varieties are good for picking

After Care

Watering 

Bulbs require regular watering throughout summer.  

Deep watering is more effective than light sprinklings.

Avoid wetting the foliage as this encourages the spread of fungus diseases.

Feeding

 Use a bulb specific fertiliser such as Tui Bulb Food or Novatec.  

Feed when new growth appears through the ground and again once flowers finish to enable them to store the food for next years flowers.

If you are planting in pots, use Daltons Bulb mix that already has bulb food included in the mix. Otherwise check your bulb food packet to see if it is suitable for use in containers.