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Gardening with Gael - Flowers that will brighten your day

 

 

sparaxis mixed colours-647It is still a little early to plant. The ground is warm but the rain still too intermittent. There is one group of plants, however, that need to be planted at this time of the year.

Bulbs.

I am always grateful for this reminder. Once spring is here again and the bulbs are bursting their colourful heads through the soil it is too late. Those bulbs need to be in now.

One hint is from the various garden centres, who, at this time of the year display their racks of bulbs prominently, a timely reminder for those who venture in. I collected one such bag of bulbs just last week. A bag of 20 daffodils. I have been on the lookout for this particular variety. White outer petals with a ruffled white and orange centre. I plan to plant them altogether for a mass of colour in the spring.

For those people in rented accommodation or with limited space, bulbs can be grown very successfully in pots. In early spring the Cancer Society holds its annual Daffodil Day to raise money for cancer research. I have often thought what a great idea it would be to plant up pots of daffodil bulbs to sell on that day. Many bulbs reside happily in pots for years until they have multiplied and there is no room or potting mix left. I have often been surprised at how little care they take. Some care, of course, will result in large plants and better flowers.

In the ground, or in pots, daffodils and other bulbs do not like wet feet. Boggy ground or too much water will rot the bulbs. If the ground is a bit wet, mound it up and add some sand to improve the drainage. In pots an average potting mix is perfect. The bulbs can stay several years in the pot before being divided up or planted out.

Daffodils are also known as the spring alarm clock. If you have friends or family members with birthdays in early spring, pot up a selection of bulbs now for a lovely present to welcome the season.

Most bulbs now come with a detailed planting guide attached. It is important to plant the bulb at the depth required and to keep them weeded. At the end of the flowering season do not immediately cut them back. The dying leaves process sunlight which is stored as energy in the bulb. Prematurely trimming the leaves reduces the bulb’s ability to nourish next year’s flower production. The plants in the ground can be tidied by grabbing a handful of the leaves and tying them in a knot. Pots can be rolled out of the way, stored in a sunny spot till the leaves have withered and died, and then stored.

If a trip to a garden centre is not possible then go online. Bulbs are easily transported and arrive at your door in excellent condition. The choices are endless. Most make excellent cut flowers and the heavily perfumed varieties such as freesias and hyacinths add another dimension.

I have just ordered some sparaxis and babianas. These delightful, colourful flowers cope well in dry areas and make an amazing show come spring. Some orange sparaxis that I have grown here at the Cottages appear year after year. They have been fed sparingly and very intermittently as have some babianas that I have growing in the smaller less fertile terraces.

I have not had a lot of luck with tulips but my daughter-in-law in Whangarei has some splendid varieties.

Check out the bulbs. They are well worth a try.

BULBS: Sparaxis show such a variety of colour and style.


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