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Planting spring bulbs in heavy borders

iankyle2Hd9Gmtfziankyle2Hd9Gmtfz Posts: 19
in Problem solving
Ant advice to offer about planting spring bulbs in very heavy borders? I am working to try to improve the condition of my soil but I am worried that daffodils and other bulbs will be swamped over the next few months. Do I try planting on grit or cut my losses and use them in containers spaced out among my shrubs?
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  • FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
    Heavy clay?  Some daffs and red tulips pop up in mine every year, I didn't plant them and I've lived here 5 years now, so they must be pretty tough!  Most tulips aren't that hardy, but I expect they'd manage one season. 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Same here, we're on heavy clay but most bulbs don't seem to mind, snowdrops and daffodils in particular thrive. When I plant tulips I bed them on a little grit for extra drainage.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Most daffs are fine here. They actually like moist ground. 
    Which other bulbs do you have?
    I use containers for some of the ones that prefer sharp drainage. Tulips are best treated as annuals, unless it's the species ones, although they still need sun and good drainage. The borders I have those in are raised, and drain well. Purpose built  :)
    Grit is better mixed in , or it can act like a sump @iankyle2Hd9Gmtfz . 

    The red and yellow Apeldoorn ones are pretty tough, and come back each year, for at least several seasons anyway. That will probably be the reds you have @FlyDragon :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • iankyle2Hd9Gmtfziankyle2Hd9Gmtfz Posts: 19
    My soggy borders are a mix of clay and what has been described to me as typical heavy Fife soil. I am working hard to improve them and recently planted shrubs seem to be thriving despite the heavy conditions. My selection of bulbs awaiting planting include four types of small daffodils, fritillaries, anemones and grape hyacinths. Your advice is most helpful.
  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    You might have trouble with fritillaries. I've got heavy wet soil due to a stream that grows in winter. All the other bulbs you've mentioned grow fine and come back every year, but I cannot reliably grow fritillaries because they hate the soggy conditions. It really frustrates me, this year I've tried some imperials in specific gritted and perlite mixed holes. Fingers crossed it'll work and they'll survive, but last year I planted over 50 snake fritillaries and one came up  :s
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They should all be ok @iankyle2Hd9Gmtfz :)
    Small bulbs sometimes fall prey to squirrels, but most will make it. You might find some of the small daffs will succumb to any really wet conditions, but they're mostly ok.  Fritillaries like moisture, so they'll be ok. Grape hyacinths will multiply readily, although the white ones are less invasive. 
    If the anemones are the woodland type, they'll be fine. The de Caen ones need good drainage and sun though. They tend to be trickier.

    Shrubs tend to do fine - and they'll help soak up extra moisture too  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Fritillaries love moist conditions, they grow wild in water meadows in various parts of the country. Daffs should like the conditions too, but I wouldn't try Tulips in those conditions.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    @punkdoc I've always been under the impression that fritillaries like well drained soil, you're certain they don't mind being wet? That means there must be some other reason I have trouble growing them...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited September 2020
    Yes - they're plants for damp @strelitzia32. I keep meaning to get some as my conditions would be perfect for them.
    To the best of my knowledge, they aren't fussy on type of soil either.
    I've just realised - are you talking about the crown imperials rather than the snakeshead ones?

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Good point @Fairygirl. The Snakeshead types love moisture, I have seen water meadows in Oxford, full of them, a beautiful sight.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
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