Monthly Archives: March 2021

Oriental lilies

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This question was asked by
– Maureen R

Having seen empress oriental lilies planted on ‘Love Your Garden’ I googled the lily and decided to order from Harts Nursery. I spoke to an extremely pleasant young man who helped me with my order and he informed me it was your bulbs which featured – so very happy. I naturally ordered more than I intended !!! and have received the excellent looking bulbs Can I use ericaceous compost in pots rather than John Innes No 3 as I have quite a large quantity already. Thx

Aww I’m so pleased to hear how happy you are! Yes an ericaceous compost is absolutely perfect for Empress.
Hope they bring you lots of joy in the summer.
Take care

The Hart Family

Thank you

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This question was asked by
– Julie B –

Just to say my mums received her Mother’s Day collection today and is absolutely delighted. She says they are the best bulbs she have ever seen. She has been shielding for a year and it’s been very difficult for her. Especially as I live in Cornwall and she is in Somerset thank you for brightening her day and for your excellent service.
Julie

W are so pleased to hear how happy your mum is with her bulbs. Thank you for taking the time to email us. We really appreciate it.

The Hart Family

Dahlia bulbs

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This question was asked by
– Vera C

I’m wanting to buy Dahlia BULBS not tubers. Can you help?

Hello there

Dahlias come as tubers not bulbs. They are called Tubers as this is the potato-like structure of them. So, really dahlia bulbs are correctly called dahlia tubers. Hope this helps.

The Hart Family

Best variety for scent

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This question was asked by
– Ray B

Hi Harts

looking for best lily for scent to be grown in a lily pot on a patio. The pot is approx 50cm high and 40cm diameter – how many bulbs would you advise ?

Thanks

Ray

I would advise planting 3 bulbs to this size pot. If you are looking for highly perfumed lilies, then any of the orientals are perfumed. The whiter the lily the stronger the scent.

Have you seen Nymph? This is a popular variety due to it’s unique cinnamon-like perfume. Lily ‘Nymph’ (harts1027)

Here you will find links to the perfumed lilies:
Oriental Lilies
Oriental Trumpet Lilies
Roselilies

The Hart Family

Begonia corms

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This question was asked by
– michael Cohn

I bought a wonderful selection from you last year, took them up in the autumn, dried them in a dry dark place and I now see that they are producing pale pink shoots.
I have 2 questions:
1. Should I now put them into compost and keep them in the garage for the moment, and when can they be planted in the ground or what?
2. I bought a mixture of climbing and ordinary ones but unfortunately I did not mark which is which – is there any way to distinguish now?
Thanks in advance

  1. Yes you can plant up your begonias now just keep them frost free before moving them outside.
  2. Unfortunately, there is no way to distinguish between the corms now I’m afraid. All the Begonia corms will look very alike.

The Hart Family

Cardiocrinum Giganteum

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This question was asked by
– Hilary A

Hello
My cardiocrinum arrived this morning.
I live in Lancashire where we are still having quite sharp frosts. I’ve read the planting instructions but am wondering if I should pot it into a pot of JI No 3 and put in my cold grow house for a month or so. We get a lot of rain where I am so I am concerned that the rain and frost combo will kill it.
Many thanks
Hilary

Hi Hilary

Yes you can plant them in a pot and then move them into a shaded area. Cardiocrinum giganteum like most soil types, a JI No.3 is fine. They prefer the soil to be moist but well drained.
These lilies like a shady position where the direct sunlight will not burn their leaves.
Plant the bulbs with the tip just at the surface so you can see the bulb.

More information can be found on the product page here: https://www.hartsnursery.co.uk/Cardiocrinum-Giganteum.html

The Hart Family

Delivery to Northern Ireland

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This question was asked by
– Pauline – 

Do you post bulbs to northern ireland?

Unfortunately, we do not at the moment due to the new Brexit regulations. Hopefully they will change the rules on importing and exporting soon and we can start sending to the Northern Ireland again.

The Hart Family

Potting up Nerines

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This question was asked by
– Carrie

I’d like to order some Nerine but would like the know how to pot them up.

PLANTING NERINES IN POTS
If you are planning to plant in pots, plant your bulbs using a mixture of 50% multipurpose compost and 50% loam-based compost such as John Innes No.2. As with planting in the garden, plant the bulbs with their necks above the soil surface.

SOME KEY CARING TIPS FOR NERINES
Nerines do not like to be disturbed so establish a decent position from the off and avoid moving them.
Protect in very cold areas with a mulch over winter.
Don’t worry if the flowering is not brilliant the first year, its just establishing itself. Be patient and you will see results in 12-18months.
Do not divide Nerine bulbs as they prefer to become quite congested and grow in clumps.

Alternatively, we have planting and care instructions on each nerine product page Nerines
You should find some helpful information on potting up Nerines here.

The Hart Family