I havent bothered with tulips the last few years either as I've bought some beautiful ones that never flowered a second year. I didn't realise I had to buy species tulips to get year after year flowering (I like my money's worth). Also my lasagne planter looked a mess as the bottom bulbs sprouted they pushed the soil up and over the top of the pot onto the patio. What did I do wrong?
Having a 'lasagne' planter! I've yet to see any that look good. Unless they're done in a really big pot, with not too many types, and with loads of bulbs really crammed in, they usually just look wispy, straggly and generally half empty. Just my opinion of course
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Having a 'lasagne' planter! I've yet to see any that look good. Unless they're done in a really big pot, with not too many types, and with loads of bulbs really crammed in, they usually just look wispy, straggly and generally half empty. Just my opinion of course
That's how I do them and they have always looked really good. Even the ones which have been planted with succession daffodil have flowered for months. Normally I do tulips, daffodils and crocuses or muscari, sometimes with winter pansies on the top. Last year I tried daffodils with different flowering months and they performed beautifully. My pots are different sizes about 14 inches - 24inches across. This year I am doing miniature irises in clay pans a la Monty.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
I'm having one go at species ones this autumn and then I think I'll call it a day. I was disappointed to read that iris reticulata are not reliable repeaters and only a year or two.
I lasagned (not a real verb) my alliums and it too was a shambles. New blooms coming up in succession through dead stuff that has gone over. Not a good look. They are now strewn hither and thither over the garden so dear knows what they'll look like. I love tulips but unless we are lucky enough to get a rain free, wind free period when they are in bloom I'm afraid they are a bit delicate for here.
The thing I noted more is the price difference, the catalogues charging £5.95 or more for 10 bulbs the same can be had at the garden centre for £2.99 or £3.99 depending on variety. I have bought quite a lot of new ones this year as mine have all declined, & did not flower well last spring.
I treated myself to some DanceLine last year after seeing them (on Montys) the way they change colour, I dont actually mind the leaves after the blooms, not as bad as daffodils, and waiting for their leaves to die off. Was rather horrified by the fact you are expected o dig and disposoe of them every year though. I also did the "lasagne" thing I would always have something in bloom in practice it didnt actually look that great, although i did really pack the bulbs in.
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that never flowered a second year. I didn't realise I had to buy species tulips to get year after year flowering (I like my money's worth). Also my lasagne planter looked a mess as the bottom bulbs sprouted they pushed the soil up and over the top of the pot onto the patio. What did I do wrong?
I've yet to see any that look good. Unless they're done in a really big pot, with not too many types, and with loads of bulbs really crammed in, they usually just look wispy, straggly and generally half empty.
Just my opinion of course
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I love tulips but unless we are lucky enough to get a rain free, wind free period when they are in bloom I'm afraid they are a bit delicate for here.