Easter can be an unpredictable trading time, it’s even been known to snow! Spring flowering bulbs give you reliable sales opportunities that will brighten up displays before the summer flowers arrive in force. And, if the white stuff does arrive, they are hardy enough for an outside display when more delicate flowers need to be kept inside.
Planting Flowering Bulbs – A quick guide
Choose a waterproof container with no drainage holes.
Line it with broken crocks or pebbles and add bulb fibre, which is a compost developed specifically for growing bulbs.
Arrange your flowering bulbs on top of the compost to work out where to put them before planting, then plant them, leaving the top part of the bulb poking out.
Add bun moss or similar to cover the compost.
Decorate with chicks and eggs to taste!
Easter Sunday Table Centre
Smaller flowering bulbs such as muscari and crocus have more impact when grouped together. Add accessories such as birch slices, feathers and speckled eggs as finishing touches.
Hyacinth Sunshine
Create a unique Easter gift by putting pebbles into a clear vase before topping with moss, planting the bulbs directly into it, then nestle mini ivy plants in decorative eggshells in between.
As if by magic.
Not all bulbs need compost, hyacinths will also happily grow and flower in water. This is especially fascinating for children as they can watch the roots develop as the flower grows.
Short of time?
Wrap individual flowering bulbs in coloured cellophane and ribbon for an inexpensive, ready to go gift.
How to care for flowering bulbs at home
For maximum life indoors, display in a cool spot out of direct sunlight.
Bulbs that are phototropic, i.e., grow towards the light, should be turned once a day to keep them upright.
As there are no drainage holes in the containers, wait until the top of the compost is dry before watering, don’t over soak.
Mist gently every other day to keep up humidity.
Once the bulbs have finished flowering, take them outside but don’t cut off the foliage until it has yellowed and died back. The bulbs can then be replanted into the garden for a show of flowers next spring.
Images provided by funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk
Su Whale is a florist and freelance writer with over twenty-five years' experience in the floristry industry. She is the author and publisher of three best-selling books: Cut Flowers, 4th edition (2020) Cut Foliage, 2nd Edition, (2021) and Houseplants (2019), all bookshelf essentials for the professional florist.
