LANDSCAPING WITH BULBS: DESIGN IDEAS AND CONCEPTS
• Mass Planting
• Grouping Bulbs
• Planting in Small Spaces
• Planting in Large Spaces
• Inter-Mixing Plants
• Lasagna planting
Mass Planting - For the look of Holland, it is
best to plant bulbs en masse. Whether you're planting six or six dozen,
they make the best display when planted together in loose, informal
clusters. By planting bulbs of one variety or colour in mass you will
achieve greater visual impact by providing uniform colour and texture. Bulbs will be easier to care for
since they will have the same cultural requirements and the foliage will
mature at the same time. You should avoid planting in a single straight
row or in a single circle around a tree or bush. Bulbs look better when
they are planted in staggered free-form arrangements.
Grouping Bulbs - With spring flowering bulbs such as Tulips or Daffodils, plant at least twelve
bulbs of one variety in a grouping. The more bulbs planted of one variety
and colour, the greater the impact. The smaller Spring Bulbs, such as Snow Crocus and Columbines should be planted in groups of 50 bulbs or more to have an impact. Smaller
bulbs need to be viewed close-up so they should be planted along
sidewalks, patios or entry ways to the home. Three to six bulbs are
suggested as a minimum number of summer bulbs of the same variety to plant
in a grouping.
Planting in Small Spaces - Plant bulbs of one
colour in small spaces in the landscape. One colour will have greater
impact and make the planting space look larger. Mixed colours planted in a
small space tend to make the space look even smaller.
Planting in Large Spaces - In large areas of
the landscape where you have a lot of planting space, a planting of two or
three different colours can be effective. Concentrate the bulbs for each
colour together and do not intermix them. Also, be sure to select colours
that blend together. White flowers can be effective in helping blend
colours together or to brighten dark comers.
Inter-Mixing Plants - The colour of Spring Flowering Bulbs is
enhanced when they are planted with pansies or other compatible early
flowers. The colour of summer
flowering bulbs will be enhanced when planted with summer flowering
annuals such as petunias, marigolds and other annuals. Although summer
annuals do not hide the dying bulb foliage, they do extend the colour of
the flower bed throughout the summer.
Many summer bulbs are tall and the lower part of the plant unattractive after bloom. Plants like Lilies and Dahlias can be mixed with perennials, annuals or shrubs to hide the lower stem area. Daylilies are a good choice to hide the lower stems of the lily. The dwarf forms of daylilies like Stella de Oro do an excellent job of facing a bed.
Lasagna Planting - Just like making lasagna,
layering bulbs isn't difficult—it just takes a bit of planning. When
selecting your bulbs, consider bloom times, color, height and texture. If
layering in a container, select a large pot that has drainage holes, or
place a few inches of pebbles in the bottom for drainage, and lay a base
of potting soil about four inches deep into the pot. Set in one layer of
bulbs using your largest variety. (For instance, Tulips and Daffodils are large bulbs,
while Crocus or muscari are
smaller.) Pack the bulbs fairly close together; they can be nearly
touching. Add in another two inches of soil, then the next set of bulbs.
Repeat with a third layer. Fill the pot to the top with potting soil, and
water well. You can keep the pot in your garage or an outbuilding until
early spring, when you'll want to sit it in the sun and wait for your
flowers to spring up!
The lasagna planting method can also be used directly in the garden. Just
plant the largest bulbs at the depth recommended on their packaging, and
layer smaller bulbs on top. Lasagna planting allows for a variety of
colors, sizes and textures in a single space. Create a rainbow in a
container, or plant several different flowers with a similar hue and
varying bloom times for a ompact, long-lasting garden display in your
favorite color.
How do I plant flower bulbs in pots and lasagna
planting
• Grouping Bulbs
• Planting in Small Spaces
• Planting in Large Spaces
• Inter-Mixing Plants
• Lasagna planting
Mass Planting - For the look of Holland, it is
best to plant bulbs en masse. Whether you're planting six or six dozen,
they make the best display when planted together in loose, informal
clusters. By planting bulbs of one variety or colour in mass you will
achieve greater visual impact by providing uniform colour and texture. Bulbs will be easier to care for
since they will have the same cultural requirements and the foliage will
mature at the same time. You should avoid planting in a single straight
row or in a single circle around a tree or bush. Bulbs look better when
they are planted in staggered free-form arrangements.
Grouping Bulbs - With spring flowering bulbs such as Tulips or Daffodils, plant at least twelve
bulbs of one variety in a grouping. The more bulbs planted of one variety
and colour, the greater the impact. The smaller Spring Bulbs, such as Snow Crocus and Columbines should be planted in groups of 50 bulbs or more to have an impact. Smaller
bulbs need to be viewed close-up so they should be planted along
sidewalks, patios or entry ways to the home. Three to six bulbs are
suggested as a minimum number of summer bulbs of the same variety to plant
in a grouping.
Planting in Small Spaces - Plant bulbs of one
colour in small spaces in the landscape. One colour will have greater
impact and make the planting space look larger. Mixed colours planted in a
small space tend to make the space look even smaller.
Planting in Large Spaces - In large areas of
the landscape where you have a lot of planting space, a planting of two or
three different colours can be effective. Concentrate the bulbs for each
colour together and do not intermix them. Also, be sure to select colours
that blend together. White flowers can be effective in helping blend
colours together or to brighten dark comers.
Inter-Mixing Plants - The colour of Spring Flowering Bulbs is
enhanced when they are planted with pansies or other compatible early
flowers. The colour of summer
flowering bulbs will be enhanced when planted with summer flowering
annuals such as petunias, marigolds and other annuals. Although summer
annuals do not hide the dying bulb foliage, they do extend the colour of
the flower bed throughout the summer.
Many summer bulbs are tall and the lower part of the plant unattractive after bloom. Plants like Lilies and Dahlias can be mixed with perennials, annuals or shrubs to hide the lower stem area. Daylilies are a good choice to hide the lower stems of the lily. The dwarf forms of daylilies like Stella de Oro do an excellent job of facing a bed.
Lasagna Planting - Just like making lasagna,
layering bulbs isn't difficult—it just takes a bit of planning. When
selecting your bulbs, consider bloom times, color, height and texture. If
layering in a container, select a large pot that has drainage holes, or
place a few inches of pebbles in the bottom for drainage, and lay a base
of potting soil about four inches deep into the pot. Set in one layer of
bulbs using your largest variety. (For instance, Tulips and Daffodils are large bulbs,
while Crocus or muscari are
smaller.) Pack the bulbs fairly close together; they can be nearly
touching. Add in another two inches of soil, then the next set of bulbs.
Repeat with a third layer. Fill the pot to the top with potting soil, and
water well. You can keep the pot in your garage or an outbuilding until
early spring, when you'll want to sit it in the sun and wait for your
flowers to spring up!
The lasagna planting method can also be used directly in the garden. Just
plant the largest bulbs at the depth recommended on their packaging, and
layer smaller bulbs on top. Lasagna planting allows for a variety of
colors, sizes and textures in a single space. Create a rainbow in a
container, or plant several different flowers with a similar hue and
varying bloom times for a ompact, long-lasting garden display in your
favorite color.
