What flowers to pick for containers

This question was asked by
Linda D – 

I’m a novice on bulbs. I’m after a variety of bulbs that will flower from spring till autumn and give a glorious burst of colour. Different heights so I can make a display that will ‘wow’. Suggestions of what size pot for number of bulbs and which is the best compost and feed etc.

Thanks very much.

Linda

Hi Linda

You have so many different flowers to choose from it really depends on the height, colour and variety you would like. Also, to have flowers all year through, you need to plant them at different times of the year.

On our website, our products are broken down into Autumn Planted Bulbs and Spring Planted Bulbs. You can then search by the flowering months as well so you can have something in flower all year through. For planting in pots, a good-quality, multi-purpose (peat-free) compost will do the trick for most varieties. You can then add a slow release fertiliser (link below) to help them on their way. You can also add horticultural grit to your compost and pots for good drainage. The main rule to planting in pots is to ensure there are drainage holes in your pots or your bulbs will rot.

Slow Release Fertiliser – Easy Feed Pack (SKU18119)

To get full and luscious pots full of flowers, we recommend layering your bulbs like making a lasagne. The Dutch call this a bulb lasagne. Simply plant your bulbs deeper to start with, with the largest or latest flowering bulbs further down, moving to the smallest and earliest flowering on the top layer. The shoots from the lower bulbs will find their way around the other bulbs. The first layer can go as deep as 28-30cm (11-12″), then cover them over with 5cm (2″) of compost, before you place the next layer of bulbs.

Bulb Lasagne

Bulb Lasagne

AUTUMN PLANTED BULBS

SPRING PLANTED BULBS

The Hart Family

Shows, shows and more shows…

21743277_1947718868817074_4731714923866758615_n
Well we had a blast at the Harrogate Flower Show, even with the rain! It’s all over now until the Spring show 2018!
We’re now over in Ireland at the National Ploughing Championships with a our faithful Mascot ‘Daisy the Cow’. Daisy travels everywhere with us. If you spot her on your travels when visiting our stands, do take a photo and send it over to us on Facebook #SpotDaisy

Next we are exhibiting at the RHS Malvern Flower Show for all your spring flowering bulb needs. We have some great Hyacinth bulbs that have been prepared to have indoors for Christmas or just plant them in your garden (or pots on your patio) for a lovely burst of colour in the spring.
Hyacinthus Jan Bos im Topf
Don’t forget we have all our Spring bulbs available online to order now and we will be starting to dispatch at the end September!

Some tips for our Lily Lovers!

Hi Lily Lovers!

Hopefully everyone has had beautiful lilies this year in their garden. The ‘Tree-like lilies‘ have been fantastic, there are so many new varieties. The perfume isNew lilies banner wonderful. These extremely tall lilies tower above the shrubs in borders with sturdy stems and an abundance of blooms.

So, if your lilies have bloomed, now is the time to dead head them. Cut just below the last bloom leaving the stem to die back completely, this feeds the bulb for the following year making the bulb bigger, producing more blooms. Wait until the autumn to repot. Lilies should be re potted every three years. The little bulblets you find can also be potted to produce blooms in a few years time! Remember to keep your lilies well drained over winter. This is really important or they will rot. Tip pots on their side or place them on a couple of house bricks. We have more tips on planting and looking after your lilies here including how to keep those pesky Lily Beetles away!

We have some fabulous new varieties for next year, especially ‘Roselilies‘. These beautiful double varieties are highly scented and have no pollen. They will soon be added to our website, so please check back and order for February delivery.

20150509_081122.jpg
Don’t forget it will soon be time to plant your spring flowering bulbs. These are also on our website. We have
some stunning varieties of Tulips but if you want height, Alliums are a must!

Lastly we are at the ‘Shrewsbury Flower Show‘ this weekend (Friday 12th to Saturday 13th August). So if you are coming, we will see you there!

Happy Gardening!
The ‘Hart Team’

The show season is upon us…

That’s right, we are back travelling the UK for the show season. We have already been to Wisley and Suffolk this year and next week we are off to Cardiff for the RHS Flower Show Cardiff. The shows are a great day out with plenty of things to see, places to eat and of course, to purchase all your gardening needs. We will be exhibiting our display of Lilies at many of the shows and you can purchase our Lily bulbs from our ‘pick n mix’ style of shop. Look out for our show offers!!  We will also have many other favourite Summer flowering and Spring flowering bulbs available including some unusual varieties. See you at the shows!!
11937449_10153684854960337_5856233970361212616_n

Giant Allium Bulb Collection with 10 FREE Purple Sensation!

Giant Allium Bulb Collection with 10 FREE Purple Sensation!

Following the increase in popularity this year, we have a great new offer on Allium bulbs for you! If you love the tall, majestic appearance of the giant alliums, then this collection is for you… Alliums (also known as Ornamental Onions) are perennial flowers that stand very tall, towering over your other flowers. They are often described as lollipops or fireworks due to their spherical appearance. Alliums should be planted in the Autumn for later Spring flowering and are a real show stopper for your garden. They are ideal for full sun or partial shade and create a great feature whatever the location. Delivery will be in September 2015 ready for planting so why not order yours today to avoid disappointment?

SPECIAL OFFER – 12 x Allium Bulbs (3 x of each variety) PLUS 10 x FREE Purple Sensation Bulbs!!

Our special offer contains: 
with 10 x FREE Purple Sensation Allium Bulbs!
 
Pack of 22 x Bulbs in total!

Fingers crossed the weather forecast is right for Sept…

So, it looks like we could have some warm weather for the month of September! Fingers crossed the forecasters are right as we still have a few more great shows to exhibit at, including:
The Burghley Horse Trials
Dundee Flower and Food Festival
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show
National Ploughing Championships (Ireland)
RHS Malvern Autumn Show
Why not check out our Spring Bulb page to see which varieties you can purchase at the shows or direct from our website.

Less than a month to go…

For everybody that has ordered Spring Bulbs… we will be dispatching very soon. You still have time to order… click here to find all our varieties on offer. There’s plenty of different plants to choose from including Alliums, Tulips, Daffodils and Eremurus. All of which come in top size bulbs.
Why not try our newest variety of Allium called RED Mohican… it’s simply STUNNING!

Allium Red Mohican

Add colour and height to your garden this Spring.