Container Gardening in the Spring

The cherry carries its spring blossom on open, bare branches as the leaf buds are just about to break. When they do open, the bronze-red leaves are a big attraction for the first few weeks. They then green up over summer, turning orange-red in the fall before falling.

Materials Needed:

• 8 x Muscari neglectum
• 3 x white Hyacinthus orientalis
• 1 x Prunus incisa 'Kojo-no-mai'
• 3 x blue Hyacinthus orientalis

Container Basics

Size: Approx. 6-inch diameter terra-cotta pots (hyacinths and grape hyacinths), and 18-inch diameter glazed ceramic bowl (Fuji cherry)
Suits: All gardens
Potting mix: Multipurpose potting mix
Site: Full sun

Planting and Aftercare

Plant fresh hyacinth bulbs in fall, about 4 inches from the top of the soil. Stand the pots in a sunny position sheltered from heavy rain, until the hyacinths flower in spring. Also in fall, plant the cherry and muscari bulbs, which should be set about 4 inches below the soil surface. After flowering, the bulbs can be moved to a sunny bed with free-draining soil.

The cherry will reach 8 feet high and wide in the open garden, and can be moved there when it gets too big for the pot. If you want to keep it miniaturized in a container, trim its roots each spring, and prune stems lightly in summer to keep its shape.

Plants:

Muscari neglectum (Image 1)
Fully hardy plants, moist soil, well-drained soil, full sun

Hyacinthus orientalis (white) (Image 2)
Fully hardy plants, well-drained soil, full sun

Hyacinthus orientalis (blue) (Image 3)
Fully hardy plants, well-drained soil, full sun