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Autumn planting of Alliums (not!!)

BenDoverBenDover Posts: 488
in Problem solving
How's this for not thinking ahead!! Bought some alliums from T&M which arrived last week, however, I cant get into my borders to plant them because too much growth abounds from existing herbaceous and other planting and I don't want (or need to) cut anything back to enable me to get them in the ground. Should I simply pot them up into plastic pots and then transfer them to open ground when there are a few more gaps when things have died down. Assume they will be happy to be moved late autumn/ winter (assuming its not freezing cold or very wet). Ive got about 60 bulbs in all. :-/
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Posts

  • Alina WAlina W Posts: 1,445

    Yes, that'll be fine.

  • sotongeoffsotongeoff Posts: 9,802

    Sounds like a lot of trouble to go to-I would be more inclined to store the bulbs in a cool dry place for a few weeks and then plant in the soil -there is still plenty of time for planting

  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619
    You could try doing both. If the later directly planted ones also come into bloom later, you've extended your flowering season!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,049

    Owing to drought, I planted most of mine very late last year and they did fine - even the ones I forgot and found in the garage in February when I did a tidy up.  These last were late flowering but did OK so just store your bulbs somewhere cool, dark and dry till you have more space to get them in the ground.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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  • BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431

    I'm definitely going to try potting alliums this year. It sounds such a good idea. I hadn't realized you could do this and then place them where you want in the Spring. But what size pots do I need? How deep do I plant them? I know they are all different sizes, but I'm talking about allium schubertii and other large types.

  • BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431

    Thanks for the advice. It's great to get practical, detailed answers to queries!

  • John mcleodJohn mcleod Posts: 74

    Last year in January I bought some which were reduced in B&Q and planted in the garden and they grew great this year

  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619
    christopher2 wrote (see)
    Berkeley I'm doing this with purple sensation 3 to 1 litre pot. I put bulbs half way down. You can then put pot in ground for them to flower and move out again or plant directly into soil. I think purple sensation is the best and most impressive allium

    I do this with spring flowering bulbs - narcissii etc, just slot the pot into border gaps, whip out when they're over. Some people might think it's a bit of a cheat, but makes good use of limited space in borders.


     

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