Warning for gardeners looking to make most of warmer weather as best time to plant flower bulbs revealed
GARDENERS have been urged to dig deep and act fast to make the most of the summer weather.
Green-thumbed experts have revealed the specific flower bulbs that Brits should be planting ahead of the warmer climate.
Spring has officially sprung as sunny days have seen sprouting flowers in parks and public areas.
Yet, those looking to add colour to their sparse gardens need to follow this advice to make sure they have enough time ahead of summer.
Experts at HomeHow have listed the top four flowers that need to be planted now.
Even renters with little outdoor space have the opportunity to take the advice which includes a plant species for hanging baskets.
Dahlias
A spokesperson for HomeHow told the Mirror that Dahlias come in a wide array.
Their “impressive bloom” can add variety to both traditional and contemporary style gardens.
Perfect for borders, dahlias are usually recommended to areas with lots of sun or partial shade.
Multi-purpose compost is the best bet for ensuring their survival and those getting prepared earlier in the year should keep the plants on a windowsill until late May.
At that point in the year they can then be moved outdoors.
Begonias
Perfect for pots and hanging baskets, those with less space or wanting to add floral features to the front of their house might look to begonias.
Again, these plants should be protected from frost and thrive in sun or partial shade.
Begonias are perfect for adding a hint of colour amongst an existing space.
By watering them weekly and feeding with tomato feed, begonias can last all year long with repeat blooms.
Lilies
These fragrant flowers can add a sense of class and beauty to both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Perfect for gardens of any size, the hardy plants can be left out in spring.
Thriving in a deep pot, their bulbs can be bought from October to April.
Peonies
These “large, intricate and often delicately fragrant blooms” are an easy addition to plant.
They can even be left during the winter months, making March a good month to start enjoying their flowers.
Planters should take care to ensure they are not left in waterlogged soil.
Why I don't think bulb lasagne's are a good idea
Fabulous’ Associate Editor and gardening enthusiast, Rebecca Miller, shares her opinion on why bulb lasagne’s are not the best way to display your spring bulbs.
“Spring is my favourite time of year – seeing the dainty daffodils bobbing in the wind, the tulips catching raindrops on their leaves, and the alliums soaring to the sky before bursting their big heads.
I have, like the majority of gardeners, tried the bulb lasagne method, and I won’t be doing it again.
It works if you have consistent and reliable weather for each bulb to grow at its designated time. But we don’t get that in the UK. I’ve had tulips springing up earlier than daffodils, or allium leaves dying back (as they should) and looking scraggly in amongst my cute narcissi minnow display.
If you’re someone with a limited amount of outdoor space, you’d think bulb lasagnes are a good idea – lots of flowers in one pot – think again.
For the past 5 years, I have ‘balcony-gardened’, desperately filling my tiny outdoor space with as many plants as possible, throughout every season.
If you have a pot with only daffodils, whey they have finished flowering, you can remove the bulbs and go about organising and planting or sowing your summer plants into the same pot. But if your pot contains daffodils and tulips – some of which can be late flowering – you end up falling behind on your gardening schedule, and waiting for them to finish before moving onto summer displays.
And don’t get me started on trying to identify which bulb is which from one pot at the end of the spring season…
I know some spring bulbs can be left in the ground to grow again the following year, so maybe I’ll try a bulb lasagne again when I get a garden.”