If you are considering adding tulips to your garden but do not want to get down amongst soggy, wet soil, why not try planting tulips in tubs or pots, for a stunning and versatile spring show that can be moved around to suit, from the garden table at the back door, to pride of place at the front door?
So, what do you need to know to enable you to get tulip bulbs planted for a flamboyant, containerised display in springtime?
Before you get your hands dirty, sort your tulip bulbs into groups for each pot. Consider pairing purple and orange tulips for a striking contrast as complementary colours on the colour wheel, or create a captivating display with a single colour theme.
Ensure pots have drainage holes to prevent water logging over winter and add a layer of crocks at the bottom of the container. You can also sprinkle a layer of horticultural grit for improved water flow.
Fill the pot about two-thirds full with compost. Insert the tulip bulbs pointy-side up, at a depth of roughly three times their height.
Plant tulip bulbs close together in the pot, but make sure they do not touch. This close planting arrangement will create a lush and visually appealing display once the blooms burst forth.
After planting, give the pots a light watering to settle the compost and initiate bulb growth.
Spring bulbs planted in pots will not offer much visual interest during the winter months so to bridge this gap, consider topping off your pots with winter pansies, violas, or wallflowers. These hardy plants will keep your pots looking attractive until the tulips begin to push through the foliage.
If you want to plant tulips in pots with other spring bulbs to make a bulb lasagne, check out all the advice for that here.