Rozzy, I have aliums as part of my seasonal container arrangements. They are going into pots - very belatedly - this very afternoon, after advice received on this site that it's best to plant them now than leave them to rot. Combining the advice I just got on here about flowering times/bulb size and planting depth with the advice I got when I bought them from a reputable nursery, and with what is written on the packs themselves, they will be going at the bottom of my containers, (as the Alium bulbs are the largest, and need to be planted the deepest) with Tulips above them, followed by Daffs, Muscari and topped off with Dwarf Iris. The member of staff/gardener I spoke to knew was looking to plant up containers with a mixture of bulbs for ongoing seasonal interest and she said Aliums would be fine for containers. The Alium bulbs and pack info I have is as follows:
"Allium Aflatunense, cut/dry flower, flowers May/June, height 60cm/24” 15cm/6” deep, 10cm/4” apart, plant from August onwards"
I am by no means an expert, more of a perpetual beginner who learns a little bit more each year, so hope this helps you in some way !
Thanks, Leorna, J and others who have responded - I will plant the alliums in a large bucket and hopefully transfer them to the garden when the weather improves. Will let you know what happens! After all, trial and error is all part of the gardening learning experience, isn't it??
Did you get your daffs and other bulbs planted? If so, any sign of growth yet? I have to admit, I was very naughty yesterday, and bought a sale lot (50) of tulip bulbs for £2, they all looked in excellent condition and had a small sprout on each one. I got out in the garden today and planted them out, if they grow its a bonus, if not I lost £2.. I say worth a try.. On a seperate note, I had to move one of my bushes which had overgrown its pot and in the process pulled out a few Gladioli bulbs which looked great (I know your supposed to lift them for winter). They had all doubled in size since I put them in last March/April and they were realy firm and golden..
I bought 50 tete a tete for £1.00 and 25 Tulip Queen of Night at £1.00 a bag each 3 weeks ago. Planted immediately, tulips seemed to go in OK but I put the daffs in a ditch and as I was planting, 6" down I was hitting water, Being the glass half-full kind of person I kept my fingers crossed but I can't believe the number of times my garden has beeen under inches of water in the last weeks They were cheap so no big deal but I would hate it if they rotted away 'cos of the amount of rain we are getting
discodave, yes I got them all planted up into pots soon after starting this thread. Im hoping the recent cold spell will have triggered some growth, but nothing showing yet.
Thought I'd update this thread. The daff & tulip bulbs I planted in pots in January are just beginning to show through the soil. They are about 2-3 weeks behind the identical bulbs I planted last autumn. Im glad I planted them now, just hope they flower.
I did read that if you plant daffs in stages they flower in stages to prolong your flowering period. Be nice if these ones flower just as the first one are fading..
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Rozzy, I have aliums as part of my seasonal container arrangements. They are going into pots - very belatedly - this very afternoon, after advice received on this site that it's best to plant them now than leave them to rot. Combining the advice I just got on here about flowering times/bulb size and planting depth with the advice I got when I bought them from a reputable nursery, and with what is written on the packs themselves, they will be going at the bottom of my containers, (as the Alium bulbs are the largest, and need to be planted the deepest) with Tulips above them, followed by Daffs, Muscari and topped off with Dwarf Iris. The member of staff/gardener I spoke to knew was looking to plant up containers with a mixture of bulbs for ongoing seasonal interest and she said Aliums would be fine for containers. The Alium bulbs and pack info I have is as follows:
"Allium Aflatunense, cut/dry flower, flowers May/June, height 60cm/24” 15cm/6” deep, 10cm/4” apart, plant from August onwards"
I am by no means an expert, more of a perpetual beginner who learns a little bit more each year, so hope this helps you in some way !
Thanks, Leorna, J and others who have responded - I will plant the alliums in a large bucket and hopefully transfer them to the garden when the weather improves. Will let you know what happens! After all, trial and error is all part of the gardening learning experience, isn't it??
Hi LeadFarmer & Leorna
Did you get your daffs and other bulbs planted? If so, any sign of growth yet? I have to admit, I was very naughty yesterday, and bought a sale lot (50) of tulip bulbs for £2, they all looked in excellent condition and had a small sprout on each one. I got out in the garden today and planted them out, if they grow its a bonus, if not I lost £2.. I say worth a try.. On a seperate note, I had to move one of my bushes which had overgrown its pot and in the process pulled out a few Gladioli bulbs which looked great (I know your supposed to lift them for winter). They had all doubled in size since I put them in last March/April and they were realy firm and golden..
I'm sure they'll catch up with the rest Dave
In the sticks near Peterborough
I bought 50 tete a tete for £1.00 and 25 Tulip Queen of Night at £1.00 a bag each 3 weeks ago. Planted immediately, tulips seemed to go in OK but I put the daffs in a ditch and as I was planting, 6" down I was hitting water, Being the glass half-full kind of person I kept my fingers crossed but I can't believe the number of times my garden has beeen under inches of water in the last weeks
They were cheap so no big deal but I would hate it if they rotted away 'cos of the amount of rain we are getting 
discodave, yes I got them all planted up into pots soon after starting this thread. Im hoping the recent cold spell will have triggered some growth, but nothing showing yet.
Thought I'd update this thread. The daff & tulip bulbs I planted in pots in January are just beginning to show through the soil. They are about 2-3 weeks behind the identical bulbs I planted last autumn. Im glad I planted them now, just hope they flower.
Thanks for everyones help
Glad to hear it LeadFarmer,
I did read that if you plant daffs in stages they flower in stages to prolong your flowering period. Be nice if these ones flower just as the first one are fading..